Spectrum Saturdays: Autism & Alleluias (Review & Giveaway!)

I was sitting in the gym, watching Ciaran get on the swing and try one of his exercises, yet again.  I wanted so much to jump in and help him.  But that's not what his therapy is all about.  What I needed was a little time to tune it all out.  I picked up my copy of Autism & Alleluias and began to read.  That day I read about an experience the author had with a member of the Lakota Sioux tribe.  I had never heard that the Lakota believe that special needs children are sent by God to teach us compassion.  Kathleens experience was a humbling read.  What a concept!  I stopped and looked at my son who flashed me his precious smile and felt my heart melt.  
There have been many of these kinds of moments as I read Autism & Alleluias.  Over the last couple of weeks, I have had the joy of picking up this book in my spare moments.  Each chapter and poem have become like little drops of peace in my day. I now keep it next to my bed and read a little something from it regularly. It's not that Kathleen is peace personified, or has all of the answers.  She doesn't.  But she does seem to have an incredible way of finding the right perspective and communicating with God through the difficulties of daily life.
I worried that the book might be a preachy, or downplay the difficulties associated with raising Spectrum kids.  It shouldn't have worried.  Kathleen is honest about her fears, frustrations, and at times, even anger.  Anger especially is an emotion I think we women, especially women of faith, have issues with.  But Mrs. Bolduc, in her book, gives even her anger to God asking him to keep it useful instead of fruitless.  I would not only recommend the book to anyone touched by a child with Autism or special needs, I asked the publisher if I could give away a copy, and they immediately agreed!  I'm thrilled to be able to provide this book to a reader. 
So, here's the scoop: leave me a comment and that will be an entry to the giveaway.  For extra entries, tweet, Facebook, or blog about this give-away.  Leave an additional comment for any additional entries.  The contest will close Friday at 11pm and I'll announce the winner (chosen by random selection) next Saturday in my next Spectrum Saturdays post.  
I am also excited to announce that Kathleen is going to be a guest poster on Muse Mama!  I'll be posting her entry separately.  She's a wonderfully personal and uplifting author, please check it out.  
For anyone interested, there is a free webinar titled "A Place Called Acceptance" which is scheduled for April 8 at 2:00 p.m. Author Kathleen Dyer Bolduc will be joined by Bill Gaventa (editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health) and Ginny Thornbugh, the program director for the Interfaith Initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities. It should be an inspiring and informative presentation. Click here to register.
If you're interested in purchasing the book, check the links above, or I have it linked on my products page.