The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown
A) Comment on Ian Brown’s impressions of the L’Arche communities in Montreal and in France that he visits. (Chapters 11 and 12) Provide specific support by quoting the book directly.
Ian Brown’s impressions of the L’Arche communities were mostly very favourable. He thought that “it was a community for the disabled, there was no question of that, but because the disabled were considered, and considered themselves, equals, none of it felt like a “special” arrangement”. (p. 200) In the La
‘Arche communities, Brown felt that the disabled could live on their terms, not on the terms of the outside world. The only reservations he had about L’Arche was that he questioned whether they would be taking care of Walker for Walker’s sake or because it was their job. Brown “didn’t want Walker in a cult.” (p.197) He mentioned that he did not feel out-of-place with the disabled adults at the Mass and then when he went to the house in Verdun he felt a sense of calm. Overall, the reader gets the impression that Brown feels that this could be a possible home where Walker would be loved.
B) Describe what you have learned about life with a profoundly disabled child. How has Brown’s memoir altered/clarified your attitude? Provide specific support by quoting the book directly.
Raising a disabled child has many challenges. It is physically and emotionally difficult. It is physically draining because of long hours and lack of sleep. Emotionally, it is difficult to see your child have so many problems and struggle with everyday life. It takes a toll on marriages and on other children. The Brown’s “argue about who will take him, who took him last time, who has more or less work, who has a deadline, who’s contributing the most. “ (p. 98) Trying to get help from the government is difficult. There are not a lot of programs and places where disabled children can be given care. I had never really considered what it would be like to be part of a disabled persons life, but after reading this book I have new respect for what people have to go through.
B) Provide three questions for Ian Brown.
Do you think that there would be differences in raising a girl with CFC, rather than a boy?
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in raising Walker?
Is Walker still living in the same place and have you made more plans for where he might go in the future?
