Title: Please Get off the Tilt-a-Whirl
Author: Barbara F. Williams
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media, LLC
ISBN: 9781638713494
Pages: 162
Genre: Parenting & Relationships
Reviewed by: Rae Capri
Hollywood Book Reviews
Parenthood is an honorable role that many people would experience at least once in their life. Some were to have a large family, while others were appreciative of receiving the blessing of a few children. Individuals who accept the responsibility of creating and raising a new life can attest to the many ups and downs. If a child is born with “special needs,” they should be treated just as normal as others despite their disadvantages. Our creation of life makes us more interesting that makes every one of us unique.
In Please Get Off the Tilt-a-Whirl, author Barbara F. Williams shared a heart-warming story about a family who was surprised to be expanding their family with another baby. The new addition increased the love and faith they have for each other and their spiritual beliefs. Barbara and George Foster welcomed home baby Monte into their hearts because he was as normal as they come. What made him uniquely special was his diagnosis of Down Syndrome. The Foster family’s patience in learning everything about caring for a special needs child demonstrated their strength in their spirituality. God is important in their lives by providing the guidance necessary to seek out as much information as possible while educating themselves and others.
As Monte grew older, challenges developed, the family was creative in combating any difficulties that transpired. Monte’s personality equipped him to be a gentle yet firm individual. He is intelligent and quick at learning new things, especially when participating in other activities with other children. With such a large family, the immediate Fosters had no struggle with on-call babysitters and extra-hands because they all lived within a short distance of each other. Talk about the convenience of loving extended family members, that it was an all-hands-on-deck situation when Monte had his moments of stubbornness on a few occasions. Despite not being aware of his strength and capabilities, he is still a happy individual and refuses to let rough times get him down.
Everyone who had encountered Monte at some point or another could vouch for the positive aspects of his personality. Of course, other moments were rather daring, could have caused fear of the unpredictable attitude and behaviors on any given day. One thing that stood out throughout the book was Monte’s physical strength. It seemed to have increased as he grew older. It takes a village to care for him because different circumstances took the entire family to restrain him, especially when he was in combative mode. There was always something new to learn about an individual with Down Syndrome. We continued to follow Monte throughout his childhood and school years, witnessing the good, the bad, and the incidents in between. Interesting to read the author mentioning that wrestling with Monte has made them stronger, providing a level of optimism amid their challenges.
Witnessing a dedicated family who maintained their faith throughout one of the difficult times of the unknown was inspiring. Monte, surrounded by loving family and friends who took pride in showing him off as an intelligent individual, regardless of his developmental disabilities. You will enjoy having the privilege of viewing the picture gallery, as “pictures say a thousand words,” which showcased many happy moments shared with family and those who cared about Monte. Judging from the images provided, Monte seems unaware of things that took a lot of energy and strength for someone to achieve, as he resembles a happy child. This book and how the story was well-written should encourage all parents and caregivers caring for a developmentally disabled child. All of God’s children are meant the same opportunities as any other child, and the family proved that.
The Foster family, especially Barbara, was determined not to give up on their child, as many would have. Reading throughout the book, you will come across snippets of Bible scriptures in association with what occurs before and after every chapter. Scripture provides balance and understanding to those who believe in the word of God, which this family expresses time and time again.
It was a pleasure reading about the Foster family, as their story is inspiring to all parents and caregivers who read their story. I recommend this book to everyone because we all need extra love and care.