WHAT'S NEW ON THE BOOKSHELF?
Compassionate New Book Captures
the Gift of Autism
A
li Beasley lives in Nelson, New Zealand,
with her husband Keith and their two teen-
age children, George and Emilia.
A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) when Emilia was seven had a pro-
found impact on the whole family, which
Ali explores in this honest, intimate work.
Emilia’s Colours shares the highs and lows of living
with a child with a major disability in words that are
frank, touching, and ultimately hopeful.
From her initial feelings of shock and grief, Ali grad-
ually learns to develop resilience as she comes to ac-
cept and even embrace her daughter’s condition.
Through caring for Emilia, she discovers the impor-
tance of looking after herself as a parent, and restor-
ative yoga becomes her “go-to” place for inner healing.
The book’s opening chapters consider the many and
varied challenges that Emilia faces, including stress,
anxiety, anger and communication difficulties. Ali
describes the hard reality for parents trying to cope
with these challenges, which has an enormous im-
pact on family relationships and activities, and child-
hood friendships.
She goes on to look at the ways she and Keith have
learned to seek and find support on a parenting jour-
ney that began without a map—and at the gifts au-
tism has provided them, by teaching values such as
patience, gratitude, courage, compassion, and humor.
Emilia’s Colours concludes with personal impressions
by close family and friends of what Emilia means to
them, and the effect she has had on their own lives.
Throughout the pages, heart-warming photographs
capture Emilia in all her colors, together with the
people who love and care for her most.
In writing her personal story, Ali hopes to support
other parents who may be struggling to cope with
the volatile, unpredictable nature of life with a child
with autism.
She also aims to raise awareness and a better under-
standing of this “invisible” disability among those
who may not have encountered autism first-hand.
To purchase Emilia’s Colours for NZD 23.95 ($16.74),
go to www.alibeasley.com. Ali continues to write
about Emilia through her blog on the website.
Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 72 |
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