Letter to Louis

Our entire Reading Group loved this book, (a first for the group!), despite the fact that many of us had, initially, been apprehensive about the subject matter. We did not look forward to reading a 'misery memoir' and feared a potentially depressing read. However, these fears were quickly dispelled. Alison White's personal account of bringing up Louis - a child with cerebral palsy and brain damage - was not only uplifting but very, very readable.

Her style of writing echoes the way in which memories become vivid recollections. She uses the present tense and divides the book into chapters and 'chunks' as she looks back at the way the lives of the family have changed with the birth of Louis. There is an intimacy and honesty in her descriptions and accounts which draw the reader in immediately. We see how often she and her husband are frustrated and let down by the professionals, and empathise with her anger and feelings of being powerless. The many times she comes up against professional, medical people who are determined to work ' by the book', and her utter exhaustion, are described in a way which we all recognise and understand.

The book is dedicated to Alison's immediate family : her husband, Louis and their other two children, Natasha and Jack. The brave decision to have more children after the birth of Louis simply adds to the life affirming, positive aspect of the book. The support given to each other by the immediate family, extended family and friends is an essential part of this story, and one which we would all hope for if we were to go through even a tiny part of the experiences of Alison White and her brave family. We agreed that we would all recommend this book to any of our friends. We all thought it was a wonderful read!

A letter to Louis is the heartbreaking story of Louis who suffered irreparable brain damage when he was delivered prematurely by Caesarean section at 32 weeks, leaving him with severe cerebral palsy.
The story is written by his mother, Alison White, in the form of a letter directed to her son who at the time of her completing the book was 20years old. Each chapter is dedicated to a year in Louis' life.
White is brutally honest about her feelings as she describes the development of Louis and the realisation of the extent of his disabilities. The title of book states that it is a letter to her son and at times I felt that it was so private that I should not have been reading it. But ofcourse the author wrote it for the reader as she realised that Louis himself would never be able to understand it.
White's story tells of her disappointments and frustrations with the authorities and their frequent lack of understanding of the situation. She also writes of the wonderful people who have helped Louis in his development.
For anyone who has ever wondered what life must be like for the families who have a disabled child I would certainly recommend this book.

I liked this book because of it's honesty and for the way that the author gives a full picture of Louis, with all of his special interests, habits and phrases as well as the difficulties of dealing with him day to day.
As a health professional, I found it distressing that Alison was let down by her Midwife so badly and that she was left with anger and bitterness about Louis' cerebral palsy. She also had to deal with a lack of compassion and lack of assistance from some of those she should have relied on for support.She stated that she thinks her book has a hopeful message, but although there are lighthearted moments and helpful people to celebrate, there is an underlying fear about the future for Louis and the book left me feeling sad..

Drawn into this book immediately. Life for Louis and his family will never be 'normal' and at times one becomes emotionally involved in the small triumphs and saddened at setbacks and failures.
I heartily recommend this as a good read.

Definitely a must read. Excellent for Reading Groups as it raises many questions and issues not only on the events surrounding his birth but the bringing up of a disabled child. Alison White writes clearly and expressively taking you into her life and that of Louis and family and friends There are some amusing moments including the first use by Louis of the 'F' word. Tears and laughter from start to finish.

This isn't my usual kind of book at all - I much prefer fiction - but our reading group got a set so I thought I'd give it a try and found I couldn't put it down. It's a really well written, unemotional account of bringing up a very disabled child and the impact that has on the family and their relationships both with each other and with the wider world. The professionals from health, education, social services and charities who were involved with the family are all described and we are given a very clear insight into the resulting frustrations and rewards. The writing style is clear, concise and easy to read and follows Louis from birth to adulthood with many hilarious and moving anecdotes, leaving me feeling much better informed about, and with a little more insight into, life with a disabled family member. Louis will stay with me for a long time.

This is an amazing achievement. A beautiful book about bringing up a seriously disabled child, which sounds as though this is a misery memoir. It is nothing of the sort, true you will cry but you will also laugh! I loved the way Louis got the roller coaster driver to take him on thirty consecutive rides.
It is an important book because it gives a voice to so many families who need to be heard.
It would be excellent for book groups because there is just so much to discuss.

What a wonderful book. No wonder it was a chosen book earlier by the Agency. It is a mother's memoir about bringing up her disabled son, which sounds a bit grim. But it isn't. It is beautifully written. Yes there are some moments where the pain of what is happening are all too evident, but there is a lot of joy and hope and happiness in it too. I cannot recommend it to other groups and individuals too highly. I am writing this on International Women's Day and think that Alison White is another inspirational woman that should join the panthenon of marvellous women.