My Sad Is All Gone by Thelma Wheatley
A Family's Triumph over Violent Autism
"Essential reading for anybody who needs to learn about pharmacological treatments for severe rage in teenagers and adults with autism." –Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures
"A powerful compassionate book, offering searing insight into the education of autistic children . . . and into the world of psychiatry." –Community Living Mississauga
The remarkable story of a family's efforts to obtain the best care and the best possible life for their autistic son. My Sad is All Gone is an honest, raw portrayal of the family-life and parental struggles that many loved ones of autistic/PDD/MRDD individuals will identify with. The author, a special ed teacher in Canada, found a very compassionate doctor who unlocked the key to her son's future.
THELMA WHEATLEY, has written a powerful book about raising her autistic son, Julian, (27-years-old at the time of publication). My Sad is All Gone. A Family's Triumph over Violent Autism is the true-life story of how Julian became violent, self-mutilating and psychotic in his teens and the family's struggle to overcome severe rage attacks with the help of a dedicated Toronto doctor, Dr Joseph Huggins.
The book is also a searing insight into the education of autistic children and into the world of psychiatry. Ultimately, Julian is a success. Today he has several jobs in the community where he lives and is a loving, lovable young man.
My Sad is All Gone is the first book about raising an autistic child to be published by a Canadian parent, and the first worldwide on violent and self-mutilating behaviors from a parent's first-hand experience.
About the Author: THELMA WHEATLEY is twice winner of Mississauga Library Short Fiction Contest, winner of Cross-Canada Writer's Quarterly short contest, and she has published stories, poetry, and articles on autism.
My Sad is All Gone by Thelma Wheatley
$18.00 US
Paperback: 290 pages
ISBN-10: 0976057603 ISBN-13: 978-0976057604
Purchase My Sad Is All Gone from Amazon.
If you are interested in this subject, you may also be interested in Notes from Ohio by Bryce Merlin, published by Lucky Press with a grant from the Ohio Arts Council, as well as There Are No Words, a YA fiction title by Mary Calhoun Brown that features a girl with autism who travels back in time to save her grandfather's friend.
"Thelma Wheatley clearly describes the heartache and terrors of raising a child with special needs : Julian's was autism. Her son became a worry as a toddler and an uncontrollable teen. My Sad Is All Gone documents how Thelma and her family fought the medical system of her area in Ontario, Canada, which pushed to put Julian into an institution. They struggled to get placement in proper schools and therapy for him. Thelma Wheatley did much research and home schooled Julian for much of the time.
Exhausting as this caring route was, the Wheatleys did finally meet Dr. Joseph Huggins in Toronto. Gradually, the best medications and routine for Julian were found. After nearly 20 years of determined searching, their son now works contentedly and shares happy family times again.
"This book will inspire other parents, family members and friends to continue to seek answers for ways to improve the life of their special needs child - whatever each one's handicap or disease may be. New solutions are a great reward for all.
"Read this book, then follow Thelma Wheatley's steps and be a winner in your child's life." —
Bernice Lever, as posted on Amazon.com
"This is an excellent book that also provides a history of care and treatment of people with a myriad of special needs in Canada and the growing need for these resources.
"This book goes hand in hand with "Spinning Straw: The Jeff Apple Story," a book about another young man with autism; severe developmental lags and a history of SIBs. These two books (interestingly, the two young men have linked or similar themed surnames) go well together, like Lennon & McCartney." Customer review on Amazon.com