Eye Can Write: A memoir of a child's silent soul emerging

Product Information

Did he put a space after the “y”?’ Mummy needed to know, as she was also typing what I wrote into the computer. Jonathan’s newly-found ability to communicate meant that he could be involved in the decisions that affected his future, and even do things that he wanted to do. One result of this was Jonathan’s Brownies! Direction: Where a character is looking—averting their gaze, staring straight ahead, or looking down—can show their emotional state and add context to dialogue and actions. Or you might write, “As he grew angrier, the brown of his eyes seemed to darken, like clouds gathering before a storm.” The first part of the book is written by Jonathan’s mum, Chantal, and the second by Jonathan. As a mum, I identified with Chantal’s fears, her love, her fierce determination in not giving up on her son.

Chantal’s interjection later in the book, once Jonathan has taken over the story, is deeply moving. He is now nine years old, and has reached the point where he can communicate independently. Her right eye was noticeably larger than her left, as if it had seen more of the world and expanded with wisdom,” can introduce an element of uniqueness and intrigue. His story is incredible – he is now a loved member of a mainstream school, with other pupils using the complex alphabet pointing method to communicate with him. A firm Christian, he encountered Jesus through visions.

Reactions to me in the street are a microcosm of the reactions to disability in society. My hope is that, having read my book, people who meet a non-verbal person like me will not assume that their intellect is at the stage of a pre-verbal baby. What can the church do better to support those with disabilities? I imagine Michael would be delighted that you aspire to be like him Jonathan. I find you totally inspirational and am honoured to have been part of your Eye Can Write blog tour. About Jonathan Bryan My story is outrageous,” he continues. “Whilst the media have wanted to focus on my mother teaching me, I have had to argue that no child should be removed from school to be taught basic literacy skills. It is a very misfortunate by-product of my story that parents of special needs children feel guilty and come to me in tears feeling they have let their child down by not teaching them to read and write at home. This should not be a parents’ job, and it is why I set up my charity Teach Us Too , so that all children are taught to read and write regardless of their label.”

The experiences of Sophie and Jonathan only serve to highlight the need to reform our special education needs system and emphasis the growing urgency of the situation. Her eyes shifted from a deep blue to an oceanic green when she was lost in thought,” opens up a realm of questions and adds an element of unpredictability to the character.

Interview with Jonathan Bryan

For example, “Looking into her eyes was like staring into a clear pond, where even the smallest pebble on the bottom was visible,” indicates transparency and vulnerability. Born with severe cerebral palsy, incapable of controlling his movements, it was assumed that Jonathan had very little brain activity. However, his mother, Chantal, always believed that he was more alert than the doctors told her, and she persevered with teaching him the alphabet and basic words until they hit upon a system where he could learn to 'write' using an alphabet board and eye movements. Transparency: This refers to how “readable” the eyes are. Are they the proverbial “window to the soul,” or are they more like impenetrable walls?

Central to his life is also his family, such a close unit. His Haikus, one for each family member, made me cry, each skilfully crafted and clearly written from the heart. Through your autobiography, “Eye Can Write” you have given a voice to the voiceless with a beauty of rhetoric and a command of vocabulary that inspires and uplifts the soul. And through your campaign “Teach Us Too” you are championing the greatest literary education for every child with the same irrepressible determination that embodies your whole life story.

Customer reviews

At the heart of his story, central to his very essence, is his faith. Poetically described, the precious proximity of Jesus is a clear strength, one that is inspirational to him but also to the reader. In chapter six, Jonathan takes up his story again, and he could at last tell his family about his time in the garden. It was Jesus’ garden. How much Jonathan wanted to stay in the garden with Jesus, but he knew that he could endure his limiting body for longer, and so he returned. In this chapter written by Chantal, Jonathan tells us what is important to him: Mummy, Jesus, Susannah, Jemima, Daddy, sisters. “Jesus?” Chantal asked Jonathan. In reply, Jonathan spelled out “S… e… e… n.” When Chantal asked him what he had seen, Jonathan replied, “His house.” This topic of conversation ran for many months, while other questions asked of Jonathan didn’t get the answers that were expected.

Since that day in February 2015 life has been busy, life has been transformed and crucially, life has been fulfilled. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Jonathan Bryan's charity, Teach Us Too. Her eyes darted around the room, like a hummingbird seeking nectar, but finding none,” could indicate anxiety or a feeling trapped. The opportunity to enter into the life of a family with a severely disabled child who has renal impairment in addition to cerebral palsy and needed a kidney transplant at the age of three, makes this book obligatory reading for those who work with complex children and families.Many churches are good at providing for those with disabilities: a ramp to get in, a hearing loop so that hearing aid wearers can tune in, a large print service book for those who struggle to see. Luminosity/Brightness: How bright or dull the eyes appear can reflect the character’s emotional state or overall personality. Luminous eyes might signify vitality or a strong spirit.