I'm seriously thinking about.....

[Mikekoz13]

....... writing a book about being the Dad of a son with special needs.

As many of you know, my son was diagnosed with a rare and serious condition as an infant. Fron the moment the doctors spoke to us until this very day, our lives were changed forever.
Over the last 12 years we, as a Family, have dealt with so many problems emotions and challenges.

I remember the total feeling of helplessness as the Man of the Family when all this started. It took me years to come to grips with many things.

I know there are many books out there similar to this but I'm not so sure that there are many telling the story from a Dad's perspectiive.

I've been thinking about this for months. Last night as I watched my son run across the wrestling mat for his match.... all the thoughts and feelings of the last 12 years, for some reason, came rushing back to me...... almost like my life flashing before my eyes. I felt at that moment that I had to do this.

This would be OUR story from my perspective. It would include the terrors, fears, and stories of a regular guy and his Family dealing with a tragedy. I have literally dozens and dozens of stories from the last 12 years about the challenges, triumphs, and tears my Family has faced.

My motivations for wanting to do this include wanting to get information out to other men on how to deal with these types of things, I want some type of history for my son as he gets older, I would love to help other Families that have children diagnosed with the same condition, and I feel like the many lessons we've learned over the years are absolutely invaluable to any Family.

Nobody else knows about this yet and I'm not really sure why I'm posting this here but I just felt the need.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Go for it.  Books that tell these personal histories are important.  Most immediately, my wife & I are reading a book by a doctor who has manic depressive disorder because we needed to know more about the disease that recently took our friend's life.  Write it Mike, it's hard work from what I hear, but it can and will be useful to people to experience this type of problem. 

[schro]

That's what this board is for.
I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm sure your efforts will be welcomed by those families dealing with similar kids. You possibly would touch those not in similar circumstances also. It could teach people the art of dealing with those challenged with unique circumstances.

Good luck. You know we've always got your back.

[Mikekoz13]

Go for it.  Books that tell these personal histories are important.  Most immediately, my wife & I are reading a book by a doctor who has manic depressive disorder because we needed to know more about the disease that recently took our friend's life.  Write it Mike, it's hard work from what I hear, but it can and will be useful to people to experience this type of problem. 

There's no doubt this will be extremely difficult for me because I will have to relive every bad moment. It will be emotionally draining and I will probably have to take many months to complete it because I will need to take breaks from it. I plan on starting an outline in the next week.

Thanks for the encouragement Saint.

[Tyler]

Koz, in the words of Nike, JUST DO IT! 

It may seem like a challenging thing to do now, but the emotional rewards can be so huge!  If you need any help, please contact me as I've been fortunate to meet people that have written books and have gone through the process. 

The other benefit is that I could see how this could help so many people, even those whose child doesn't have the exact same condition.

I've always wanted to ask my father what his thoughts were when he heard the news of my heart condition and how that condition influenced the way that he decided to raise me.  I do know that he decided that he'd never let my condition be an excuse to not do something I wanted to do.  That decision alone has allowed me to flourish in ways many would never have expected. 

[wpruitt]

Just do it; writing is a great way to self-explore.

[ozzie]

What a a GREAT idea! It's definitely time Dad's perspective got an airing. Good luck!!

[Sgt. Pate]

Hey... there's dads out there who really need your input! 

[warhawk]

hey mike:  u know the answer already... now go ahead and get it started.  i think it is a tremendous idea that U must make happen.  i hope and pray that U will make it a goal that U will accomplish.   

WARHAWK

[herronm]

Mike, I think this is something you must do.  It is remarkable just how much impact a book, song, or work of art can have on people.  You never know, the man you help most may be you.

[Mike]

I agree, sounds like a good idea. I am a part time writer. Right now I have 8 stories in various stages of completion. I start with an idea then write out a paragraph or two about it then wait and come back when I am ready. I finished a short story a couple weeks ago that I had been working on for two years, lots of editing, rewriting, deleting, whole sections getting taken out. It may take a couple years to even get a rough draft but start it now because hind sight is 20/20

[joergHH]

Thank you for sharing this theme.

Yes do it. Writing a book needs time, it becomes a part of your life.
Later when you have finished you held a part of your life in your hand. And it is your lie with your family, your wife and your child.

Writing this book retrieves all lows, but also the highs and how you dealt with lows and highs, the love which flows between you and your wife and your son.

Yes start and try and retry and write.

Best wishes

J

[Rob]

definitely do it.  It will help others, help you, and be rewarding into the bargain.  I'm sure its the right thing to do.

[Papa Don]

Mike, I would be one of the first to purchase the book.  IMO this would be a great help to those in your situation.  Also, it could be a tool of self healing.  My son was quite ill his first two years.  I constantly kept the thought that it was somehow my fault.  Fortunately, his problem was not that serious and he outgrew his condition.  May God be with you and your family.  Your a special person to think of others.

[hawkeye]

Mike,

Writing a book from your perspective, about the trials and ordeals that you and your family have witnessed and overcome would not only help others in similar situations, but it can be cathartic as well.  Several of my favorite writers have either written directly about their experience or have used their experiences within their fiction.  Everyone has a story.  And, it sounds like your story would also impact the reader on an emotional level that would inspire and help others in similar situations.

Writing a book can be tough.  But there are a lot of resources out there that can assist you, from the SLY community to many writers groups on the net.  Also, writing a book about something so close to your heart can be tough!  That my friend is an understatement.  So, don't forget to use your friends, family and community to help you through the process. 

You posted this because you already know your decision.  You need to tell the story.  From my own experience, I can tell you that writing, whether it is a short story, novel, or a screenplay, can seem like an overwhelming task.  But, when your done..., the reward of knowing you told your story is a feeling that I cannot put into words. 

Rich