From the reflective pen of talented author Nico J. Genes comes the true story of discovery, friendship and unconditional acceptance.
Spirited youngster Peter has a burning hunger and zeal for life. He runs between activities as excited as a kangaroo in an open field. However, his joy is not typically matched by those around him. They look upon him with furrowed brows and discerning eyes. … eyes. Shunning and ultimately ostracizing the lively spirit.
Amiable author Nico offers Peter and his devoted mother something which does not come so easily to them- a true friend. Through a series of intense ups and downs, Nico gradually becomes accustomed to Peter and recognizes what so many others clearly miss… his beautiful soul. Forced to face societal and institutional intolerance for anything that is “different”, Nico joins Peter and his mother as they battle to protect his rights. A fight to keep his inner light burning bright despite the cloud of contempt which frequently descends upon his tiny head.
In a world perpetually stained with judgment and blame, comes an inspirational and true story of love, friendship and hope. Where an innocent little boy diagnosed with ADHD can be accepted and treasured for what he actually is, and not simply what society expects him to be. Where kindness and harmony rule the day despite the overwhelming odds.
Yes… life is hard, but it can be so beautiful!
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ADHD: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL is a warm, gentle and beautifully told true story of a boy adored by his mother and bullied by his friends and judged by others because of being different. It is a touching and emotional testimony of true friendship which endures everything, knows no boundaries, and keeps promises of a happier future. By telling us about her little friend Peter, the boy suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Nico has unlocked our hearts and poured her love into them so we can live with a better understanding of others and accepting their differences. No other way it should be.
There are a lot of children diagnosed with ADHD who are attending regular schools and living with parents who are doing the best they can. This is a true story about a mother and her son who faced the daunting task of surviving in a world that does not understand the full extent of ADHD and its effects on the family. This book is written from the standpoint of love and compassion, of understand and caring. By writing this book the author is bringing ADHD to the forefront, it’s giving people an opportunity to take a glimpse in to another person’s life and see it from their perspective. ADHD doesn’t have to be a negative diagnosis if society chooses to accept it and those who have it for who they are and how wonderful they are, life can be beautiful for everyone regardless of any diagnosis. This is a wonderfully written book and it makes you stop and think. It only takes a few hours to read and yet it can change your outlook on this and other diagnosis forever and for the better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Share in this author’s true story of discovery – of ADHD and of herself
In the book ADHD: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, author Nico Genes shares her story of meeting and befriending a single mother and her young son. It chronicles her early experiences with them, marked by frayed nerves, exhaustion, and hurt feelings when the child can’t seem to focus or hold still for more than a few moments. It also describes some unacceptable behavior by a teacher and a principal. Hopefully, that section represents an isolated pocket of indifference and lack of knowledge, as health organizations estimate between five and ten percent of all children suffer from the condition; otherwise, there are a lot of children being marginalizing by the educational system. Eventually, the young man is diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the doctor adding that the mother probably has the same condition. The book is also a story of the author’s growth, as she comes to recognize new qualities in herself as a result of the friendship. “This new part of me enjoyed the smell of a lavender field rather than the scent of the most expensive perfume. I was now living for the moment, and one benefit of this was it helped me get through the other less pleasant times.”
Some of the book is descriptive prose, generally to establish the setting – often near the sea with the sun, sand, and warm, salty breezes. But most of the book is either a glimpse into the author’s philosophy on life or an account of her experiences with her friends. The former is quite positive and sunny, as you might guess from the title. The latter describes the challenges, growth, and development of the characters in direct, simple prose. It almost feels like something from a diary, except for the dialog.
While there is no cure for ADHD (as of the time of this review), there are treatments to help manage the symptoms ranging from medication to behavioral therapies. And while I’m not suggesting the author should have changed the nature of her book – it was not intended as a self-help guide – some of its current content seems too fatalistic, e.g., “He may repeatedly get in trouble for having a cluttered room, even after being told to tidy it up. I know now that this is beyond him.” While patience and acceptance are clearly part of the solution, behavioral change is often possible. Well-structured environments with clear responsibilities, both at home and at school, have helped many children with ADHD. So, while the book is correct in saying, “Some things are written in our genes, and can’t be changed” that doesn’t mean parents have no recourse.