Macallum Tepsich
A.
Ian went to L’Arche because he “wanted to see if there was a graceful, meaningful way for Walker to live in this world…not just an ad hoc solution to his needs, but a community and family he might call his own…a liberty and freedom he could claim.”(226) But Ian had his doubts. “I have to say, that struck me as a radical idea, even a gorgeous one. It also struck me a hopelessly unrealistic.” Before visiting L’Arche, Ian was concerned about how religion played such an important role in the community. He was relived to find that it was spiritual but not in a negative way. I think overall Ian was happy with what he saw at L’Arche. “I began to imagine this life for Walker after I was gone; I could imagine much worse ones.”(216) Ian knew that unfortunately the waiting list was twenty years long.
B.
After reading Brown’s book I realized that life can be very hard. Life should not be taken for granted because anything can happen in a matter of seconds. Having a disabled child does not only affect the parents and the child but it also has an affect on the other family members such as Hailey. “The money we spend on Olga, the $12,000 a year we spend on formula alone, the money we spend on diapers-all of it could be paying for Hailey’s university educations. She gamely says she’ll try to win a scholarship instead, but she is already an anxious child, the fallout of living in a house where something is always about to burst.”(88) Hailey suffers because Ian and Johanna are more focused on Walker’s health and his condition.
Reading Brown’s novel has made me realize that living with a disabled child can be extremely challenging it can also be very rewarding. Even when life gives you obstacles you have to find a way to get around them and when you do you will be stronger, wiser, more appreciative, and a better person. “I am grateful that my life had been touched by good fortune and grace.”(241) Brown appreciates what was given to him and makes the most of what he has.
C.
- You mention killing yourself and Walker (packing up ski gear and dying of hypothermia), were you worried about people judging negatively for having these feelings?
- Do you think that Hailey will want to take care of Walker later in life?
- During the course of writing the novel, were there any parts of yours and Walker’s life that you wanted to leave out?
