"The Memory Keeper's Daughter", by Kim Edwards, a Book Review

Sometimes you find a book that fits everythingeventually divorced, at a time when divorce was not
you've ever thought a book should be.popular.
No one told me about "The Memory Keeper'sConflict, angst, total sadness and great loss.
Daughter," by Kim Edwards. But I knew I was aboutSo our character in The Memory Keeper's Daughter
to undertake a grueling several days and I wanted aacted as others acted at the time and made a
good book to escape to. So I walked into Borders,decision that was commonly made.
and strolled right to the book in question and boughtAt this point, we could discuss such ethical issues as
it.eugenics, abortion, and infanticide, but these are
My days would be taken up with an Advancedbeyond the scope of this article.
Cardiac Life Support course coupled with oral andAs a Labor and Delivery nurse, I also serve on what
written tests, plus having to know things I alreadyis called the Bereavement Committee, serving those
knew but needed to feel more confident aboutparents whose babies have died.
knowing, such as the recogniton of cardiac rhythms,We have more than our share of pregnancy losses,
knowledge of cardiac drugs in the event of suddenpremature babies who teeter on the edge between
cardiac arrest, stroke or collapse.life and death, and yes, several Down's babies are
The book immediately reveals the story line, most allborn every year, as well.
of the characters, and pulls you in by the end of theThe main concern is whether a family has the
very first chapter with poetically beautiful narrative.resources to care for these beautiful and loving
Throughout the book, the author brings all fivechildren.
senses and mixes them with nature images and mindDo they have the family support, dedication and
dreams to illustrate points, develop the character andcommittment?
story line.Waldorf educational methods are tailor made to help
The book begins with a young married couple deeplyspecial needs children.
in love and nine months pregnant, going into labor inWalforf education was developed by Rudolf Steiner
the middle of an unexpected and rare snowstorm inin Europe in the 1920's. There are currently more than
Kentucky.500 Waldorf schools worldwide, and Waldorf has
The husband is an Orthopedic doctor. When his wifebeen in North America for 75 years.
goes into labor, they arrange to meet theWaldorf is based on the view that the human being
Obstetrician at the husband's Orthopedic clinic. Theis a being of body, soul and spirit. The Waldorf
Ob doctor crashes in the snow storm and theapproach to education attempts to bring together all
husband must deliver the baby.elements of a child's development: intellectual, artistic,
His nurse is also present to assist in this momentousand spiritual.
occasion.Its goal is to produce individuals who are able to
The first chapter ends dramatically when the motherfunction independently and create the meaning for
delivers not one but two babies. One is a healthytheir own lives themselves, and not have to rely on
baby boy, the other is a girl with Down's, or Trisomyothers to do this for them.
21.Waldorf educational methods are diametrically
The year is 1964.opposed to those that forms the basis for most
This is a moment that changes the course ofpublic school systems.
everyone's lives; the doctor, his wife and nurse forWaldorf education is intended to preserve the
the doctor decides the baby girl must go and live inintegrity of the individual student; not to turn them
an institution and he gives the baby to his nurse tointo conformists. Waldorf educational methods are
take the baby there.effective for all students but are particularly helpful in
He tells his wife that the baby is dead.the case of special needs children.
The nurse cannot follow through with leaving theSpecial needs children will have strengths in areas not
baby at the institution, so she leaves town with thedeveloped in the standard public educational systems.
baby and raises her.Waldorf methods will address these strengths, and
All this in a few short pages.child will experience significant increases in
Much has changed since 1964. Now we perform aself-esteem as a result of their success. Special
marker test for Downs between 16 and 19 weeks. Ifneeds children often have very limited experience in
the baby does have the marker, an amniocentesis isbeing successful in a school environment and respond
offered. If this is definitive for Downs, the parentsrapidly and positively when they are given a chance
have the choice to terminate the pregnancy.to demonstrate their competence.
Markers in early pregnancy have also been developedBut the most profound benefit of using Waldorf
but most health insurance carriers will not pay for thiseducational methods to help special needs children is
expensive test.that they encourage the children to develop as
If parents decide to keep the baby, they have timeindependent, self-reliant individuals, able to function
to prepare mentally, spiritually and psychologically forand meet life on their own terms, rather than
what is sure to be a challenge.passively looking to others for guidance.
This book is about a secret that hangs like a thunderThis paves the way for a lifetime of successful self
cloud, following these pivotal characters throughoutdetermination for the special needs child taught by
the book.Waldorf educational methods.
Mom knows subliminally but does not knowOn the East Coast, Beaver Run and Spring Valley
consciously.Waldorf Communities serve Special Needs People
Her husband becomes distant and unreachable fromfrom youth to old age and death. What a wonderful
the time he tells his wife this lie throughout theiralternative to an "Institution."
entire marriage.This is an enlightened alternative to an otherwise
Demons, shadows, nightmares.bleak life of dependence.
I spoke to a former head of Pediatrics who is nowThe Memory Keeper's Daughter was alive and
retired. He said years ago, when a Downs baby waswonderful. Read it if you haven't already.
born, the Pediatrician routinely counseled the family toAnd In-Joy!!
give the child immediately over to an institution.-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Usually the husband made this decision often overKate Loving Shenk is a writer, healer, musician and
the wishes of the mother. My friend said this causedthe creator of the e-book called "Transform Your
huge conflict in families, and many of these couplesNursing Career and Discover Your Calling and Destiny.