If you know someone with a disability, or are someone with a disability this book is for you.
This is a little long description of why someone should read a book, and shows some lessons from the book, but I promise you ever part of this is important, read to find out why.
Out of my Mind is about an eleven year old little girl, Melody, who has a photographic memory, but most people, including her parents and doctors, do not believe that she is capable of anything. Most believe the novel is a true story, but that is not the case. In the back of the book, there is a page dedicated to the definition of what the meaning and inspiration was behind this story. Sharon Draper, the author, explains that Melody is NOT her daughter. She is pure fiction and Sharon claims that Melody’s personality and story comes from a combination of things, mostly Sharon’s love and understanding of children with disabilities. She also expresses that she did not write the book for readers to feel BAD for Melody but rather to see Melody as a person, and that she is tribute to every parent, guardian, or caregiver that have or take care of disabled children and help them through each and every day. Also that it is for all the children who are completely misunderstood by people who do not know or understand disabilities. At the end of the page she sates, “It’s also written for people who look away, who pretend they don’t see, or who don’t know what to say when they encounter someone who faces life with obvious differences. Just smile and say hello!” (Disclaimer– most of the above is paraphrased from Sharon herself directly from the page in her book, and the last few sentences are directly quoted)
I have read through this book many times. I think the most important time I read it was when a little girl I babysit had to read it for school. She was so excited to tell me that this was her summer reading book, before she went in to the 6th grade. As I had already read it, I was thrilled that she was so excited to read it as well. Throughout the entire summer we had read bits and pieces of it together but she loved to talk about it. She was getting all the main points of the book. While she nor her friends/family were disabled, she was able to understand more about those who were, and instead of feeling bad for disabled kids she said hello and waved at them. She always made it a point to tell me about the book, and what she learned and expressed that she knew it was difficult for them but rather she had a new appreciation for them. She was never actually rude to a disabled kid but she never understood either. This book truly opens the eyes for children and even adults.
In the book, there is a scene where the mother is all upset because she feels like she is the Melody is the way she is. I am not a parent but I do know and have parents that probably have had that thought cross their mind before. I want everyone to understand that it is no one’s fault but life. Life is a crazy thing, these things just happen, sometimes not everyone is made with the “normal” functioning eye, ears, mouth, legs, arms, fingers, and even brain. However, what is really “normal” anymore? If you’re a parent who has given birth to a mentally or physically disabled child, it’s not your fault, which is one of the many lessons that should be taken from this book. Things happen in this world, and all things happen for a reason. I know sometimes it may be tough and difficult, but at the end of the day they are your children, and even if they don’t say it they appreciate you trying and all you do for them.
Another lesson you should take away from this book is even though a child has a disability, whether it be mentally or physically, they should not always get a pass on everything. As an aspiring Special Education Teacher, a sister of a mentally disabled brother, and a loving friend of someone who is physically disabled, I am a complete mush when it comes to disabled children and this was a very hard reality for me to swallow, but just because they are disabled does not mean they can get away with murder. Behind EVERY disability there is a child who is their own person. Yes I understand that some things are difficult for children, which is why they do get some passes but they shouldn’t be allowed to get away with everything.
There is a scene where the narrator, Melody, claimed that her aide was being mean to her, when the aide was forcing her to learn how to flip herself over from front to back and front again. Even though she did let Melody fall out of the wheelchair onto pillows sometimes there was a whole reason for this. She had to learn to do somethings by herself. Although, her body does not allow her to do everything, like walk like most of us do, she still had to do her version of walking with two feet, in this case it would be flipping herself from her front to her back and back to front. I know some things may seem so harsh to do, but for a child who is disabled, it is important for them to have their own freedom with the little things, due to the fact that their body does not allow them to have the freedom of the bigger things.
Another big lesson that needs to be taken away from this book, is that each disabled child whether it be higher or lower function disability, each child NEEDS a support system. I know everyday is not going to be easy to have full faith and give support to the disabled person but they do need it as much as you can give it. I know it is very clear that everyday is not easy, but they have the same doubts we have about ourselves. I know how easy it is to get frustrated with someone who is disabled because it may cause you an inconvenience but think about yourself in their shoes, imagine you couldn’t voice your opinion about something, or imagine not being able to walk, with everyone around you who can walk, run, jog, dance, and voice their own opinion. It is not easy for either party when dealing with each other but both parties need to come to an understanding and know that you both are there for each other. It is not easy but it can be done.
There are many more lessons and examples within the book, but if I wrote about them all I would give away the entire book. I encourage you all to go out and read Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper, whether you read it on the amazon kindle, or in hard copy from a Barnes and Noble, it is a read that you will not regret. I promise you.