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Jabberwocky: Lessons of Love from a Boy Who Never Spoke Hardcover – May 25, 2021

by Dr. Steven Gardner (Author)

4.4 227 ratings

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Wall Street Journal Best Seller

”This is a holy book”
―Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

Graham Hale Gardner died before turning twenty-three and never learned to walk or speak due to severe cerebral palsy complicated by epilepsy. Yet he left a legacy of love and compassion that deeply moved scores of people from widely different backgrounds.

How was that possible?

Graham’s story, written through the eyes of his father, speaks of the enormous legacy left by a boy who never spoke. A story that raises provocative questions about the “invisible lines of connection” that make us human.

Graham was a strikingly beautiful boy who faced formidable challenges on a daily basis that most of us will never encounter. His ability to confront adversity with resilience and grace astonished and inspired nearly everyone whose lives he touched.

On the bucolic island of Martha’s Vineyard, at a pioneering summer camp for the disabled, a place “where hope flourishes,” Graham and his father become camper and camp doctor. There, they encounter an eclectic group of people who eat, work and create together. They write and cry together. They argue and dance together.

Camp Jabberwocky, as it is widely known, embraces the boy and his father and they become part of a passionate and zany extended family that will forever change how they see the world.

As the years pass, Graham and his parents experience both surprising adventures and formidable challenges. Wherever they live and travel, they encounter people who are drawn to Graham. These people, from widely different backgrounds, want to be near him, to assist in his care and to laugh with him. To them, the person they uniformly cherish is nothing less than a living angel.

Can we imagine living in a parallel universe known as “Jabberwocky,” where people open their hearts and minds to those who are different and nobody is left behind?

Print length

300 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Made For Success Publishing
Publication date

May 25, 2021
Dimensions

6.14 x 1.18 x 9.13 inches
ISBN-10

1641466502
ISBN-13

978-1641466509
See all details

From the Publisher

"The story of a beautiful boy who showed us a life without limits."

Camp Jabberwocky embraces the boy and his father changing how they see the world.

Written through his father's eyes, Graham's story speaks of the legacy he left behind.


Bella Like other ten-year-old girls, Bella loves animals and art projects. Unlike other ten-year-old girls, Bella knows a great deal about caring for people with disabilities. Hmm... How did that happen? Bella is an innately kind and curious soul. But perhaps it also has to do with how she has been raised and all that she has observed during sunny summers on the storybook island of Martha’s Vineyard. Since infancy, at the place called Camp Jabberwocky, she has watched older kids and her parents assisting people with a vast range of disabilities with compassion, patience and—not least of all—an abundance of laughter. She has seen that there is no reason to fear people who are “different.” She has seen how much silliness people with different abilities and disabilities can create when they come together in a community of mutual support and love. Throughout her decade of life, Bella has witnessed people whose minds are open and hearts are full.	Mike Having a younger sister with a disability made Mike curious about a summer camp he had heard about from a friend, so he decided to check the place out. He boarded a ferry in Woods Hole on the southern shore of Cape Cod and, a couple of hours later, “fell in love with Camp Jabberwocky.” That was 13 summers ago and, during each of those years, this deeply spiritual man has poured himself into the community. Mike loves hanging out with campers who communicate non-verbally. “It’s not just one person sharing and another playing counselor—it’s family,” he says.	Patty An amazing person arrived at Camp for the first time the summer after my son passed away. Patricia Keleher was 45 years old and lived in a group home in New Hampshire. Cerebral Palsy had confined her to a wheelchair and made it difficult for her to speak. In a self-published autobiography, she painstakingly wrote about the joys and challenges she had experienced. Patty’s zest for life was evident the instant we saw her being wheeled down the gangway from the ferry. There were very few moments during the next month when there was not an infectious smile beaming on her face as she experienced the zany culture of Camp Jabberwocky for the first time. Every time I looked at Patty, I was awestruck. Her lean body had been twisted by Cerebral Palsy, but an aura of pure joy radiated from her face. She literally seemed unable to stop smiling.	Scott This handsome and soulful young man has been a fixture at Jabberwocky since his childhood. I’m not sure if it is possible for a human being to be universally loved, but, if it is, that person is my dear friend “Scottie.” Although he lives in Indiana and has difficulty speaking, he was improbably the first person to contact me and console me after Graham died. If Scott were a meal, the main course would be pure kindness—with a side of mischief. Despite painful spinal problems over the years requiring extensive surgeries, it has proven to be impossible to diminish his hopeful spirit and profound love for his family and army of friends and fans. And he is taking college classes now. Scott’s love for all things Jabberwocky cannot be quantified. When I think about what Jabberwocky is all about, an image of Scott smiling ear-to-ear as he dances in his wheelchair at a disco party is the first thing that crosses my mind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an unusually moving and inspirational book, a clear-eyed and loving portrait of a son and his too-short but transcendent life. Graham‘s story is a tribute to the human spirit and the invisible bonds which connect us to each other."
― Ken Burns, Documentary Filmmaker

“The story of a beautiful boy who showed us a life without limits and embodied the power of love.”
―Katie Couric, Journalist

”To what lengths would the loving parents of a severely disabled child go to enrich his life? And in return, what profound lessons would that child teach all who nurtured him? Readers of Jabberwocky will be pondering those questions long after they finish this remarkable story.”
― Joseph P. Kahn, columnist, Boston Globe

"How lucky we are that Steven and Cynthia were chosen to receive the gift of Graham and that they knew he was meant to be shared. In Graham's world-including a madcap summer camp called Jabberwocky-something wondrous and beyond us is at play..."
―Robin Young, NPR host

"This is a holy book."
―Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

“It was a story I needed to hear. It was a deeply spiritual story. Graham reflected beauty, goodness, humility into a self-absorbed, goal driven, power hungry world. For those who were present and aware, Graham taught them life changing lessons of life. And his spirit continues to do so!”
―Phil Reppert, contributor to Vineyard Gazette and author of Nativity on East 7th, a New York City Christmas Love Story

“Graham Gardner is a stellar example of the invaluable place held by "the greatly different." The sheer force of humanity called forth by Graham gives testament to their bedrock value. To begin, no boy was ever more beloved by his father, in a world that aches for fathers who make manifest their love for their sons.”
―Dr. Gina Higgins, psychologist and author of Resilient Adults: Overcoming a Cruel Past and Resilient Women

"… Gardner is a physician and an artist who sees with his heart."
―Dr. Carl Cooley, Dartmouth Medical School

About the Author

DR. STEVEN GARDNER is an internist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a member of the MGH Global Disaster Response Team he has served in Haiti and the Philippines with Project Hope. He has been a volunteer physician at the Martha’s Vineyard Cerebral Palsy Camp (“Camp Jabberwocky”) for 25 years, caring for children and adults with a wide range of challenges. He is a passionate photographer whose images focus on the resilience of people facing adversity and the compassion of the people who assist them. He is a past winner of the Harvard Medical School Humanism in Medicine Award.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Made For Success Publishing (May 25, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1641466502
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1641466509
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 1.18 x 9.13 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,973,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,023 in Physical Impairments (Books)
- #3,302 in Biographies of People with Disabilities (Books)
- #29,982 in Writing Reference

Customer Reviews:
4.4 227 ratings

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DR. STEVEN GARDNER is an internist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a member of the MGH Global Disaster Response Team he has served in Haiti and the Philippines with Project Hope. He has been a volunteer physician at the Martha’s Vineyard Cerebral Palsy Camp (“Camp Jabberwocky”) for 25 years, caring for children and adults with a wide range of challenges. He is a passionate photographer whose images focus on the resilience of people facing adversity and the compassion of the people who assist them. He is a past winner of the Harvard Medical School Humanism in Medicine Award.

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4.4 out of 5

227 global ratings

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Charlotte R. Mitchell

Are You Sure It Is Impossible?

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2023

Verified Purchase

I downloaded this book to my Kindle a little over two years ago and finally found time to read it. I am glad I read it and will be recommending it to others to read. Not everyone would have the financial means, the stamina, or the patience to be the kind of parents Graham had and deserved. Not everyone could write a book detailing in such depth the challenges and solutions the family faced and solved. Graham and his parents set high standards for themselves and are an inspiration for others.

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2021

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A wonderful true story of parents who made every effort possible to give their son, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, a life filled with incredible love,, and living life to the fullest opportunities.

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Amazon Customer

A fascinating and inspirational book

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021

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I found Jabberwocky a fascinating and inspirational book. It caused me to examine
how I might have dealt with raising a child like Graham, I am sure most Jabberwocky readers asked themselves the same question.

Although I will never be able to answer that question, I doubt I would have had the
courage, patience and dedication Dr. Gardner was able to show Graham.

Graham’s physical deficiencies which included the inability to verbally communicate
must have caused great concerns for his parents. However, they were able to look
beyond these issues, believing Graham understood what they were saying to him and
treated him accordingly. “There was something in his expressions that radiated both intelligence and kindness.”
It must have been very meaningful when Dr. Gardner discovered the work of scientists at John Hopkins University known as “”Neurobiologists,” communicating through
“touch.”

Graham was included in many water and cycling activities, a testimonial to
Dr. Gardner’s dedication of providing Graham with meaningful childhood
experiences.

These are a few of many positive thoughts I have about the book.
It provides inspiration to its readers as to how to overcome what appear to
be insurmountable challenges with unconditional love.

2 people found this helpful

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Deborah C Lee

Superheroes Among Us

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

The depth of ones love is not always seen, however; the imagery of love in this book is easily seen through beautifully expressed memories which unfold into stories. At times I felt as though I too was there taking that familiar drive to Crotched Mt, hiking up Mount Tom or even meeting some of the wonderful people who were friends and considered family by Graham and his father. As a past therapist working within the public school system, I had the great opportunity to sit across the table and side by side with parents of special needs children. It was so incredibly important to open ears and mind to the parent and child for the best possible learning and social experience. This book helped me to reflect on so many of the families I worked with, the depths of love and wholeness it delivers. I truly believe that Graham will continue to touch the life of others through this book.
A quote from the book:
"The young man dressed as a comic book crusader was, in fact, a real life superhero."

5 people found this helpful

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Gerri A.

This book will continue to resonate, though the reasons may not always be clear

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2021

Verified Purchase

What thin lines this writer navigated to write this poignant yet uplifting story. In particular, while one certainly wants to respect every individual, it seemed to cross lines when this father deified his son, suggesting that even in life the son transcended mortality. Losing a child is excruciating for married parents but can be even more so for divorced parents. While it seemed the father tried to include the mother of this child in the story, it felt like he set himself up as the exemplary parent and left the reader wondering about the mother's role. And finally, I bristled every time the writer assumed he and his son experienced every activity with the same feelings of joy and love. No one can know the thoughts of another person, no matter how close one believes they are to the other. In summary, the father's self-righteousness irked, and I found myself wondering why he felt the need to present himself as such a perfect person. What kinds of personal inadequacies and failures might he be trying to hide?

While the tone of the narration of this book grated, I found it introduced me to the world of special needs individuals in a way I'd never known before. I think this book a powerful tool in helping individuals better understand the needs of people with unique challenges. The book brought tears to my eyes on many occasions and profoundly changed my understanding of the parents of children with handicaps.

One person found this helpful

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Karin J. O.

This is a deeply moving book overflowing with courage, grace and love.

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

Dr. Steven Gardner writes of the journey his son Graham takes his father and mother, Cynthia, on throughout the course of his life. It deals honestly with the challenges of raising a child with severe cerebral palsy with courage, grace and love. A magical summer camp named Jabberwocky on Martha's Vineyard is the setting for much of Gardner's story, highlighting Graham's adventures with other campers and his counselors, Cynthia's as camp cook and Steve's as camp doctor. The common theme that shines through the pages of the book is the kindness, love and support of other people in various roles in Graham's life and the appreciation for the gift of his love in theirs. I highly recommend this book and promise you will not forget the story of this beautiful soul.

2 people found this helpful

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Brenda L. French

Reminiscent of Death Be Not Proud

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021

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A devoted father's stories about his luminescent son and their relationship, both inspiring and moving. Dr. Gardner's love letter to his son Graham clearly demonstrates the fingerprints some people leave on the souls of others, even if their intersections were fleeting.

One person found this helpful

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GeorgiaLouisa

depth of love that everyone should be so lucky to receicd

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

This is the most beautiful story I have ever read. As a parent, I know of the overwhelming, consuming power of the love for a child. The loss of a child has always seemed to me to be the most terrible thing that a person could ever have experience in life. I only wish Scott and Cynthia could have had more years to savor the love of Graham. But that love lives on and is now multiplied many times over by this any reader who receives the blessing of reading this book.

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Jabberwocky: Lessons of Love from a Boy Who Never Spoke Hardcover – May 25, 2021

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