2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
After a horrific car accident, seventeen-year-old Latrell lays unconscious in an emergency room. Upon regaining consciousness, the first thing she sees is her baby's father standing directly above her. His face is etched with agony. All Latrell can think about is her baby. Terror strikes her. Did he survive the accident? With much effort, she asks, "Where is Kilano?" A suffocating silence ensues. She soon discovers that he is bleeding internally and has had two seizures. He needs to undergo surgery immediately. Latrell holds her breath and prays that he survives the surgery. Being the fighter that he his, Kilano survives. Sadly, he is left with irreversible damage.
A Mother's Tragedy is a non-fiction book by Latrell King. The title could not be more fitting as the author opens our eyes to the difficulties involved in raising a disabled child. She highlights the emotional, financial, and medical challenges involved. This book will stir up compassion and empathy in its readers.
The book has an informal, conversational tone, making it feel more personal and intimate. This put me in a better position to imagine Latrell's pain as she told her heartrending tale. I am glad that it is only 24 pages long. It is a sad book, especially as it is based on a true story. I wish that the author had shared a few of her joyful moments with Kilano. It is evident in that she loves her child, but she focused mainly on the painful experiences that they had endured.
The author mentions how easy it is for people to make mistaken assumptions about her life. She bursts these assumptions by painting a clear picture about the costs involved in raising a disabled child. I found this to be enlightening. For example, she spends 45 dollars every four days on Pediasure, which was recommended for Kilano's diet. I came to appreciate the amount of self-sacrifice that goes into parenting a disabled child.
I am in awe of the author's strength. She shares this strength by giving brief tips on how to avoid depression while caring for a disabled child. Parents who are going through a similar situation will be able to gather strength and hope from this book. Often times, people lack compassion due to ignorance, hence, I appreciate this book for being the eye-opener that it is. I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. The number of grammatical errors prevents me from rating it any higher.
******
A Mothers Tragedy
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Kelebogile Mbangi's review? Post a comment saying so!