Silvie's Life

Silvie’s Life by Dr. Marianne Rogoff        140 pages

 Grab a box of tissues if you plan on reading this book, and clean your calendar ahead of time because you wont’ be able to put it down.  Otr at least I couldn’t.

I read this short book when it came out in 1994, I forget which. It touched me then and the story of Silvie’s life has stayed with me. When I ran across a copy at me mom’s, I decided to read it again, and it is still as powerful today.

This is a true story, the story of a normal pregnancy and a normal birth. Well, Marianne had her baby at home, with a midwife instead of in a hospital. Still, everything when as expected. Until the midwife couldn’t get the baby to breath. A doctor came; 9-1-1 was called; she was rushed to a hospital, then a bigger hospital. Then came the news: the baby had severe brain damage. She couldn’t cry, swallow, breathe on her own, move her body and the doctors told her parents she wouldn’t grow.  The suggested they take her home to die.

Silvie’s parents were fighters. They endured sliding a tube down Silvis’s little throat to feed her. They cuddled with her; treated her like she was normal. They debated the ethics of just letting her lie in her crib and slowly starve today. But they loved their little girl and would do whatever they had to to make her comfortable in the time that she had. It was heartbreaking to watch. 

I go into more detail, as readers can guess the end without having me say another word. But the one thing that “Silvie’s Life” does, is to get readers thinking about end-of-life issues, narrative medicine and palliative care. What would you do if this had happened to your child?  And what does her parents do when they unexpectedly find themselves pregnant again. A powerful story that won’t leave readers hearts for a long time, if ever.  That’s why “Silvie’s Life” receivs 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Becoming Kareem

BecomingKareem: Growing Up On And Off The Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Raymond Obstfeld, 289 pages

“At one time, Lew Alcindor was just another kid from New York City with all the usual problems: He struggled with fitting in, with pleasing a strict father, and with overcoming shyness that made him feel socially awkward. But with a talent for basketball, and an unmatched team of supporters, Lew Alcindor was able to transform and to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From a childhood made difficult by racism and prejudice to a record-smashing career on the basketball court as an adult, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's life was packed with "coaches" who taught him right from wrong and led him on the path to greatness. His parents, coaches Jack Donahue and John Wooden, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and many others played important roles in Abdul-Jabbar's life and sparked him to become an activist for social change and advancement. The inspiration from those around him, and his drive to find his own path in life, are highlighted in this personal and awe-inspiring journey. Written especially for young readers, Becoming Kareem chronicles how Kareem Abdul-Jabbar become the icon and legend he is today, both on and off the court.” This was an excellent memoir.  I would recommend it for older kids and teens, and even adults, who are interested in learning more about Abdul-Jabbar.