In the recent National Indie Excellence Awards, Gayle Slate was the finalist in the New Non-Fiction category for her breakthrough book ‘Dana’s Legacy- from Heartbreak to Healing’. Her book was also a finalist at the Biography category of the San Diego Book and Writing Awards.
Life cannot be crueller to anyone else than to a mother with a disabled child. The trauma and agony undergone by the parents of children with special needs cannot be described in words. Many simply break down trying to face the day to day challenges of taking care of the needs of their child.
Terminally ill disabled children suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy are the most pathetic and their family goes through tremendous stress and pressure. It is indeed heartbreaking to see a mother lovingly taking care of her disabled child knowing that he or she is going to be with them for a very limited period of time.
To recover from such trauma and to come back to the same field, specialise in therapy and serve other suffering parents is something not many can do. Gayle Slate is a mother toughened by her daughter Dana’s cerebral palsy and traumatized by her death at the age of 14. She and her husband Don had to undergo several trials and tribulations trying to cope with Dana’s disability.
With limited therapy resources back in the 60s, Gayle and Don had to rely on their own intuitive wisdom to help make their daughter’s last few years productive and satisfying. Gayle and her husband learnt how to go beyond the illness and break through to Dana’s inner beauty. They learnt how to enjoy their child just for what she was.
Gayle Slate, after her daughter’s death decided to go back to school and complete a degree in Marriage, family and child counselling and Master of Arts in Psychology. This tough parent also went on to be involved with children with disabilities and their families helping them cope with the trauma and stress for over 38 years.
She created the early intervention program for disabled toddlers and infants and was its director for 15 years. Gayle Slate founded the KIT or Kids Included Together non-profit organization that trains other organizations that are community based to include disabled children in to their child care, social and recreational programs. For her commitment towards helping others emerge stronger from suffering just as she did, Gayle received much recognition and many awards including the Compass Family Centre Star Award, Salvation Army – Women of Distinction and March of Dimes – Mother of the Year.
Dana’s Legacy – From Heartbreak to Healing is a great motivation and inspiration for those in pain. This autobiography provides a lot of essential hope to parents who have children suffering from cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental disorders.
This book is a journey from tragedy to triumph. It is all about how to turn any negative into positives and about living life giant size. Though it focuses mainly on disability, Gayle’s inspirational book is a fantastic asset that teaches us how to face any life challenges and shows us how traumatic experiences are definitely not failures but a stepping stone to a stronger and positive life.
To learn more please visit www.danaslegacy.com
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