Book excerpt: In Special Parent, Special Child, Tom Sullivan takes us inside the lives of parents who struggle daily to make a difference in the lives of their children with disabilities. It is a journey of parental hopes and dreams. Of heroism and disappointment. Of success and failure. Of unending trials and unpredictable rewards. From more than two hundred interviews, Sullivan chose six families who dramatically express the wide range of concerns confronting parents of children with disabilities. The parents speak openly and intimately about complex emotions, about working with and fighting against the medical, educational, and social service systems, developing ongoing relationships with professionals, handling the inevitable family repercussions, and maintaining strength and hope throughout as they seek the best life possible for their children. The spectrum of disability in this book - cerebral palsy, blindness, life-threatening illness, deafness, learning disability, and Down syndrome - brings to light an array of issues affecting parents. Even though each family's experience is unique, Special Parent, Special Child shows that there are common bonds and a common ground shared among these parents. They teach that when fate puts us in difficult situations, remarkable depths of courage and devotion arise in response. Their stories are a testimony to the quality and commitment of families throughout this country who are raising children with disabilities. The wisdom these parents share through the author, who is blind, will help all special parents to fulfill their challenging role.