Holding Up The Sky Together - by Ronald Bishop (Paperback)

About the Book

This book is part memoir, part historical survey, part academic analysis written to inject more realism into the national dialogue about intellectual disabilities. Families that include a member with an intellectual disability are grateful for increased awareness and tolerance...

Book Synopsis

This book is part memoir, part historical survey, part academic analysis written to inject more realism into the national dialogue about intellectual disabilities. Families that include a member with an intellectual disability are grateful for increased awareness and tolerance, but there is so much further to go.

Review Quotes

This is a compelling memoir/media analysis that doesn't hold back in addressing the day-to-day complexities of raising a child with intellectual and physical disabilities. The book connects the author's parenting experience to the larger issue of society's distorted narratives about people with intellectual disabilities, as well as taking a nuanced look at how organizations like Special Olympics fit within these narratives.

WOW! A rollercoaster of emotions and confrontations employing many voices--parents, people with disabilities, historians, educators, students, the mass media--orchestrated by a well read, thoughtful and talented author. An unusual and insightful review of literature integrated with real life stories makes this an engaging read. Bound to be controversial this book needs to be read for those who want to confront challenging issues facing disability today.

About the Author

Ronald Bishop is a professor in the Department of Communication at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He lives in Delaware with his amazing wife Sheila and his indomitable son. A native of Maplewood, N.J. He earned his Ph.D. at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Sadie Pennington is a communication major at Drexel University. She grew up in Caldwell, New Jersey and attended James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell.

Morgan Weiss is a communication major at Drexel University. She grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania and attended Mount St. Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.