Floppy Cat-New Children's Book

[Guest guest]

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The

Story of Floppy Cat, and a Personal Reflection

I was asked to read and

review a book written by Kari Kay which is titled Floppy Cat. I was told:

I am writing to touch base with you about a

new book that I think would be great content for your blog. Floppy Cat is a new

children's book by author Kari Kay based on a real cat born with a lack of

balance control. Floppy Cat wonders what it would be like to play normally like

the other animals, but as the story progresses, he learns to accept himself for

his own special gifts and to always maintain a positive attitude. This unique

book is a great way for parents to teach children the value of self-confidence

and acceptance.

Hmmm, I'm always a little leery with any comparison of animals

and children. But after viewing the website http://www.floppycat.com/

and viewing the video of the real life Floppy Cat I became intrigued and agreed

to read it.

What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would love this book.

The drawings are adorable but what really struck me was the forward to the book

and the story itself. The forward reads:

Thanks to those who saw the Floppy Cat in me.

Floppy cat taught me so many life lessons. The

most important of which, is that we all deal with challenges. We can choose to

run from those challenges and play it safe, or we can boldly step into them to

learn and grow. Floppy lived his life with a positive, never give up attitude,

always looking for the good in every situation. My hope is that after reading

this book, you and your child will find the Floppy Cat inside of you!

Kari Kay

That alone sums up my journey with Sam. Sam has many challenges

and I often refer to the fact that at any point he or I, or both of us, could

have chosen to curl up in a little ball, to believe the prognosis we were

given, to give up and let life pass us by. But instead we embrace each and

every day, learning and growing, looking for the good in every situation and

never ever giving up. I am happy to say that we have found the Floppy Cat in

us.

As I read through the story I couldn't help but pick out words

and phrases that I could relate to Sam and our journey together:

---always be

seen with a smile on his face (that's my Sam)

---his own

special gift (I view Sam's diagnosis as this)

---all cats are

unique in their own special way (Sam isn't disabled or handicapped,

he's unique)

---always moved

forward and was willing to learn (our daily goal)

Life and raising a child with special needs is really all about

perspective. We can choose to get caught up in the labels and the challenges

associated with those labels....or....we can move past all that. We can see our

child as unique, not disabled, not handicapped but instead themselves. Sam is

Sam, perfectly unique with an array of strengths and weaknesses...really just

like you and me....just different strengths and weaknesses.

In the story, Floppy Cat locates a hat with a very special

message inside which inspires him to go even further on his journey.

My absolute favorite line:

I can be whatever I want to

be, as long as I always believe in me!

Isn't that really what we want to convey to all of our

children?? When I think about my life with Sam...I began with a lot of doubts

and worry, did God pick the right parent, can I do everything Sam is going to

need me to do, can I see past Sam's diagnosis and love and enjoy the little boy

that he is. I had to believe in me and my abilities so that I could then

believe in Sam and help him to believe in himself.

This is a wonderful book about overcoming obstacles, believing

in yourself which in turn will help you to reach your dreams. I highly

recommend this book for any parent who is trying to explain to their child that

they are not different, but instead, they are unique. Their challenges do not

define who they are or what they will be but instead it is how they view

themselves and how they overcome those challenges that will make them the

person they will become.

If you are interested in getting your own copy of Floppy Cat, go

to Kari's website http://www.floppycat.com/

and you can purchase it for $12.71. But most of all...find the Floppy Cat in

you!

Sue Mayer

Mom to Sam (9) with Down

syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia, Dysphagia, Respiratory/Immune Issues and

Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or as I like to say “Yada,

Yada,Yada”

www.suemayer-specialneedsmom.blogspot.com

[Guest guest]

Awesome! Can I have your permission to pass this on to my local Ds

email list?

~~~~~~

If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious

values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all

reality has spiritual control.

~~~~ Luther King, Jr.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The

Story

of Floppy Cat, and a Personal Reflection

I was

asked to read and

review a book written by Kari Kay which is titled Floppy Cat. I was

told:

I am

writing to touch base with you about a

new book that I think would be great content for your blog. Floppy Cat

is a new

children's book by author Kari Kay based on a real cat born with a lack

of

balance control. Floppy Cat wonders what it would be like to play

normally like

the other animals, but as the story progresses, he learns to accept

himself for

his own special gifts and to always maintain a positive attitude. This

unique

book is a great way for parents to teach children the value of

self-confidence

and acceptance.

Hmmm,

I'm always a little leery with any comparison of animals

and children. But after viewing the website http://www.floppycat.com/

and viewing the video of the real life Floppy Cat I became intrigued

and agreed

to read it.

What I

wasn't prepared for was how much I would love this book.

The drawings are adorable but what really struck me was the forward to

the book

and the story itself. The forward reads:

Thanks

to those who saw the Floppy Cat in me.

Floppy

cat taught me so many life lessons. The

most important of which, is that we all deal with challenges. We can

choose to

run from those challenges and play it safe, or we can boldly step into

them to

learn and grow. Floppy lived his life with a positive, never give up

attitude,

always looking for the good in every situation. My hope is that after

reading

this book, you and your child will find the Floppy Cat inside of you!

Kari

Kay

That

alone sums up my journey with Sam. Sam has many challenges

and I often refer to the fact that at any point he or I, or both of us,

could

have chosen to curl up in a little ball, to believe the prognosis we

were

given, to give up and let life pass us by. But instead we embrace each

and

every day, learning and growing, looking for the good in every

situation and

never ever giving up. I am happy to say that we have found the Floppy

Cat in

us.

As I

read through the story I couldn't help but pick out words

and phrases that I could relate to Sam and our journey together:

---always be

seen with a smile on his face (that's my Sam)

---his own

special gift (I view Sam's diagnosis as this)

---all cats are

unique in their own special way (Sam isn't disabled or

handicapped,

he's unique)

---always moved

forward and was willing to learn (our daily goal)

Life

and raising a child with special needs is really all about

perspective. We can choose to get caught up in the labels and the

challenges

associated with those labels....or....we can move past all that.

We can see our

child as unique, not disabled, not handicapped but instead themselves.

Sam is

Sam, perfectly unique with an array of strengths and weaknesses...really

just

like you and me....just different strengths and weaknesses.

In the

story, Floppy Cat locates a hat with a very special

message inside which inspires him to go even further on his journey.

My

absolute favorite line:

I can

be whatever I want to

be, as long as I always believe in me!

Isn't

that really what we want to convey to all of our

children?? When I think about my life with Sam...I began with a lot of

doubts

and worry, did God pick the right parent, can I do everything Sam is

going to

need me to do, can I see past Sam's diagnosis and love and enjoy the

little boy

that he is. I had to believe in me and my abilities so that I could

then

believe in Sam and help him to believe in himself.

This

is a wonderful book about overcoming obstacles, believing

in yourself which in turn will help you to reach your dreams. I highly

recommend this book for any parent who is trying to explain to their

child that

they are not different, but instead, they are unique. Their challenges

do not

define who they are or what they will be but instead it is how they

view

themselves and how they overcome those challenges that will make them

the

person they will become.

If you

are interested in getting your own copy of Floppy Cat, go

to Kari's website http://www.floppycat.com/

and you can purchase it for $12.71. But most of all...find the Floppy

Cat in

you!

Sue Mayer

Mom to

Sam (9) with Down

syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia, Dysphagia, Respiratory/Immune

Issues and

Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or as I like to say “Yada,

Yada,Yada”

www.suemayer-specialneedsmom.blogspot.com

[Guest guest]

Sure! Anything I can do to help let me know.

smom

"Where there is passion and a fire burning in your heart, there is hope..."

"I cannot do everything, but still I can do something." Ms. Helen Keller

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Story of Floppy Cat, and a Personal Reflection

I was asked to read and review a book written by Kari Kay which is titled Floppy Cat. I was told:

I am writing to touch base with you about a new book that I think would be great content for your blog. Floppy Cat is a new children's book by author Kari Kay based on a real cat born with a lack of balance control. Floppy Cat wonders what it would be like to play normally like the other animals, but as the story progresses, he learns to accept himself for his own special gifts and to always maintain a positive attitude. This unique book is a great way for parents to teach children the value of self-confidence and acceptance.

Hmmm, I'm always a little leery with any comparison of animals and children. But after viewing the website http://www.floppyca t.com/ and viewing the video of the real life Floppy Cat I became intrigued and agreed to read it.

What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would love this book. The drawings are adorable but what really struck me was the forward to the book and the story itself. The forward reads:

Thanks to those who saw the Floppy Cat in me.

Floppy cat taught me so many life lessons. The most important of which, is that we all deal with challenges. We can choose to run from those challenges and play it safe, or we can boldly step into them to learn and grow. Floppy lived his life with a positive, never give up attitude, always looking for the good in every situation. My hope is that after reading this book, you and your child will find the Floppy Cat inside of you!

Kari Kay

That alone sums up my journey with Sam. Sam has many challenges and I often refer to the fact that at any point he or I, or both of us, could have chosen to curl up in a little ball, to believe the prognosis we were given, to give up and let life pass us by. But instead we embrace each and every day, learning and growing, looking for the good in every situation and never ever giving up. I am happy to say that we have found the Floppy Cat in us.

As I read through the story I couldn't help but pick out words and phrases that I could relate to Sam and our journey together:

---always be seen with a smile on his face (that's my Sam)

---his own special gift (I view Sam's diagnosis as this)

---all cats are unique in their own special way (Sam isn't disabled or handicapped, he's unique)

---always moved forward and was willing to learn (our daily goal)

Life and raising a child with special needs is really all about perspective. We can choose to get caught up in the labels and the challenges associated with those labels....or. ...we can move past all that. We can see our child as unique, not disabled, not handicapped but instead themselves. Sam is Sam, perfectly unique with an array of strengths and weaknesses.. .really just like you and me....just different strengths and weaknesses.

In the story, Floppy Cat locates a hat with a very special message inside which inspires him to go even further on his journey.

My absolute favorite line:

I can be whatever I want to be, as long as I always believe in me!

Isn't that really what we want to convey to all of our children?? When I think about my life with Sam...I began with a lot of doubts and worry, did God pick the right parent, can I do everything Sam is going to need me to do, can I see past Sam's diagnosis and love and enjoy the little boy that he is. I had to believe in me and my abilities so that I could then believe in Sam and help him to believe in himself.

This is a wonderful book about overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself which in turn will help you to reach your dreams. I highly recommend this book for any parent who is trying to explain to their child that they are not different, but instead, they are unique. Their challenges do not define who they are or what they will be but instead it is how they view themselves and how they overcome those challenges that will make them the person they will become.

If you are interested in getting your own copy of Floppy Cat, go to Kari's website http://www.floppyca t.com/ and you can purchase it for $12.71. But most of all...find the Floppy Cat in you!

Sue Mayer

Mom to Sam (9) with Down syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia, Dysphagia, Respiratory/ Immune Issues and Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or as I like to say “Yada, Yada,Yadaâ€

www.suemayer- specialneedsmom. blogspot. com

[Guest guest]

Sorry... My son was reading this to me outloud and I told him what to answer. He didn't realize u meant that wonderful book!! Had my hands full!

smom

"Where there is passion and a fire burning in your heart, there is hope..."

"I cannot do everything, but still I can do something." Ms. Helen Keller

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Story of Floppy Cat, and a Personal Reflection

I was asked to read and review a book written by Kari Kay which is titled Floppy Cat. I was told:

I am writing to touch base with you about a new book that I think would be great content for your blog. Floppy Cat is a new children's book by author Kari Kay based on a real cat born with a lack of balance control. Floppy Cat wonders what it would be like to play normally like the other animals, but as the story progresses, he learns to accept himself for his own special gifts and to always maintain a positive attitude. This unique book is a great way for parents to teach children the value of self-confidence and acceptance.

Hmmm, I'm always a little leery with any comparison of animals and children. But after viewing the website http://www.floppyca t.com/ and viewing the video of the real life Floppy Cat I became intrigued and agreed to read it. What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would love this book. The drawings are adorable but what really struck me was the forward to the book and the story itself. The forward reads: Thanks to those who saw the Floppy Cat in me. Floppy cat taught me so many life lessons. The most important of which, is that we all deal with challenges. We can choose to run from those challenges and play it safe, or we can boldly step into them to learn and grow. Floppy lived his life with a positive, never give up attitude, always looking for the good in every situation. My hope is that after reading this book, you and your child will find the Floppy Cat inside of you! Kari Kay That alone sums up my journey with Sam. Sam has many challenges and I often refer to the fact that at any point he or I, or both of us, could have chosen to curl up in a little ball, to believe the prognosis we were given, to give up and let life pass us by. But instead we embrace each and every day, learning and growing, looking for the good in every situation and never ever giving up. I am happy to say that we have found the Floppy Cat in us. As I read through the story I couldn't help but pick out words and phrases that I could relate to Sam and our journey together: ---always be seen with a smile on his face (that's my Sam) ---his own special gift (I view Sam's diagnosis as this) ---all cats are unique in their own special way (Sam isn't disabled or handicapped, he's unique) ---always moved forward and was willing to learn (our daily goal) Life and raising a child with special needs is really all about perspective. We can choose to get caught up in the labels and the challenges associated with those labels....or. ...we can move past all that. We can see our child as unique, not disabled, not handicapped but instead themselves. Sam is Sam, perfectly unique with an array of strengths and weaknesses.. .really just like you and me....just different strengths and weaknesses. In the story, Floppy Cat locates a hat with a very special message inside which inspires him to go even further on his journey. My absolute favorite line:

I can be whatever I want to be, as long as I always believe in me! Isn't that really what we want to convey to all of our children?? When I think about my life with Sam...I began with a lot of doubts and worry, did God pick the right parent, can I do everything Sam is going to need me to do, can I see past Sam's diagnosis and love and enjoy the little boy that he is. I had to believe in me and my abilities so that I could then believe in Sam and help him to believe in himself. This is a wonderful book about overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself which in turn will help you to reach your dreams. I highly recommend this book for any parent who is trying to explain to their child that they are not different, but instead, they are unique. Their challenges do not define who they are or what they will be but instead it is how they view themselves and how they overcome those challenges that will make them the person they will become. If you are interested in getting your own copy of Floppy Cat, go to Kari's website http://www.floppyca t.com/ and you can purchase it for $12.71. But most of all...find the Floppy Cat in you! Sue Mayer Mom to Sam (9) with Down syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia, Dysphagia, Respiratory/ Immune Issues and Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or as I like to say “Yada, Yada,Yada†www.suemayer- specialneedsmom. blogspot. com

[Guest guest]

Yes, you can.

Sue Mayer

Mom to Sam (9) with Down syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia,

Dysphagia, Respiratory/Immune Issues and Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or

as I like to say “Yada, Yada,Yada”

www.suemayer-specialneedsmom.blogspot.com

From: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

[mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of

Borkowski

Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 3:43 AM

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Floppy Cat-New Children's Book

Awesome! Can I have your permission to pass this on to

my local Ds email list?

~~~~~~ If we are to go forward, we must go back and

rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations

and that all reality has spiritual control. ~~~~ Luther King, Jr.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The

Story of Floppy Cat, and a Personal Reflection

I was asked to read and

review a book written by Kari Kay which is titled Floppy Cat. I was told:

I am writing to touch base

with you about a new book that I think would be great content for your blog.

Floppy Cat is a new children's book by author Kari Kay based on a real cat born

with a lack of balance control. Floppy Cat wonders what it would be like to

play normally like the other animals, but as the story progresses, he learns to

accept himself for his own special gifts and to always maintain a positive

attitude. This unique book is a great way for parents to teach children the

value of self-confidence and acceptance.

Hmmm, I'm always a little

leery with any comparison of animals and children. But after viewing the

website http://www.floppycat.com/ and

viewing the video of the real life Floppy Cat I became intrigued and agreed to

read it.

What I wasn't prepared for

was how much I would love this book. The drawings are adorable but what really

struck me was the forward to the book and the story itself. The forward reads:

Thanks to those who saw the

Floppy Cat in me.

Floppy cat taught me so

many life lessons. The most important of which, is that we all deal with

challenges. We can choose to run from those challenges and play it safe, or we

can boldly step into them to learn and grow. Floppy lived his life with a

positive, never give up attitude, always looking for the good in every

situation. My hope is that after reading this book, you and your child will

find the Floppy Cat inside of you!

Kari Kay

That alone sums up my

journey with Sam. Sam has many challenges and I often refer to the fact that at

any point he or I, or both of us, could have chosen to curl up in a little

ball, to believe the prognosis we were given, to give up and let life pass us

by. But instead we embrace each and every day, learning and growing, looking

for the good in every situation and never ever giving up. I am happy to say

that we have found the Floppy Cat in us.

As I read through the story

I couldn't help but pick out words and phrases that I could relate to Sam and

our journey together:

---always be seen with a smile on his face

(that's my Sam)

---his own special gift (I view

Sam's diagnosis as this)

---all cats are unique in their own special

way (Sam isn't disabled or handicapped, he's unique)

---always moved forward and was willing to

learn (our daily goal)

Life and raising a child

with special needs is really all about perspective. We can choose to get caught

up in the labels and the challenges associated with those labels....or....we

can move past all that. We can see our child as unique, not disabled, not

handicapped but instead themselves. Sam is Sam, perfectly unique with an array

of strengths and weaknesses...really just like you and me....just different

strengths and weaknesses.

In the story, Floppy Cat

locates a hat with a very special message inside which inspires him to go even

further on his journey.

My absolute favorite line:

I can be whatever I want to be, as long as I always believe in

me!

Isn't that really what we

want to convey to all of our children?? When I think about my life with Sam...I

began with a lot of doubts and worry, did God pick the right parent, can I do

everything Sam is going to need me to do, can I see past Sam's diagnosis and

love and enjoy the little boy that he is. I had to believe in me and my

abilities so that I could then believe in Sam and help him to believe in

himself.

This is a wonderful book

about overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself which in turn will help you

to reach your dreams. I highly recommend this book for any parent who is trying

to explain to their child that they are not different, but instead, they are

unique. Their challenges do not define who they are or what they will be but

instead it is how they view themselves and how they overcome those challenges

that will make them the person they will become.

If you are interested in

getting your own copy of Floppy Cat, go to Kari's website http://www.floppycat.com/ and you can

purchase it for $12.71. But most of all...find the Floppy Cat in you!

Sue Mayer

Mom to Sam (9) with Down syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia,

Dysphagia, Respiratory/Immune Issues and Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or

as I like to say “Yada, Yada,Yada”

www.suemayer-specialneedsmom.blogspot.com