A memoir of the struggles, perils and unexpected wonders of learning to negotiate this world without vision. Sometimes the greatest challenge is simply being able to have friends.
For 35 years, Laura Fogg has brought the gift of movement and independence to visually impaired and multi-handicapped children in rural Mendocino County. For 35 years she has driven the winding, redwood scented back roads from student to student, from sun-blazed valley to fog-shrouded coast, in all weathers and all seasons.
In this memoir chronicling her journey along the roads and through her students' lives, Laura shares the abundant challenges and delights in her life's work and reveals the incredible lessons her students have taught her -- about patience, hope, doubt, loss, control, judgement and, ultimately, joy.
Excerpt
"I loaded up my huge pink Ford with materials pillaged from the storeroom, borrowed a map of the county so I could find my scattered students, and set out to become a real teacher."
TRUE STORY. Bella survived an abusive powerbroker father with organized crime ties, a drug-addicted mother and a physically/sexually abusive brother. Shocking & inspirational. When she couldn't cry, she tattooed a crying angel to cry for her.