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Emma’s Laugh by Diana Kupershmit
Genre: Non-Fiction | 255 Pages | Published: June 15, 2021
Book Jacket Synopsis:
As Diana surveyed her newborn baby’s face, languid body, and absent cry, she knew something was wrong. Then the doctors delivered devastating news: her first child, Emma, had been born with a rare genetic disorder that would leave her profoundly physically and intellectually disabled.
Diana imagined life with a child with disabilities as a dark and insular one―a life in which she would be forced to exist in the periphery alongside her daughter. Convinced of her inability to love her “imperfect” child and give her the best care and life she deserved, Diana gave Emma up for adoption. But as with all things that are meant to be, Emma found her way back home.
As Emma grew, Diana watched her live life determinedly and unapologetically, radiating love always. Emma evolved from a survivor to a warrior, and the little girl that Diana didn’t think she could love enough rearranged her heart. In her short eighteen years of life, Emma gifted her family the indelible lesson of the healing and redemptive power of love.
This is a mother’s requiem to her perfectly imperfect child―a child who left too soon, but whose lessons continue to inspire a life lived and loved.
Book Links: Amazon
Favorite Quotes
- Memory is a funny thing. It’s amorphous and cunning. It leaves you floundering, fighting to stay afloat. p53
- The truth is that when we try to compare miseries, heartaches, injustices — there’s no comparison. Each person’s struggle, no matter how large or small, real or imagined, is the most devastating, the most debilitating, the most grave and insurmountable to that individual. p151
- That’s when I would realize that the life I had feared most, encumbered, dark, marginalized and imperfect in its otherness, was not that at all. It was luminescent, inclusive, and imperfectly perfect. I was seeing things from a different lens. p215
- Live your best life. Count the blessings, not the cracks in the road. If you can, walk, run. Heck, run a marathon. p216
- I took inventory of the lessons Emma taught us in her silent yet wise way: that life is hard but worth fighting for, to be heard; to be seen; to appreciate the gifts you have, the ability of speech, ambulation, sovereignty over your thoughts, actions. p216
- Among the things that Emma has taught me, us, over the years is that life is precious. Life is fragile. Life is beautiful. p219
Review & Thoughts
Emma’s Laugh is a wonderful and extremely emotional read. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it would be to have a child with deeply special needs but I appreciated being able to read about their family’s experiences and lessons learned throughout Emma’s life.
It contains strong messages about the meaning of life and the importance of appreciating how precious, fragile, and beautiful life is. I appreciated the author’s honesty and authenticity while sharing the stories of their time and journey during Emma’s life. I admire their strength and love and appreciated the lessons shared that Emma taught them along the way.
Emma’s Laugh is a beautiful and incredibly honest story about resilience and second chances.
Recommend for: Lovers of non-fiction | those looking to gain insight on raising a child with a disability.
My Review Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5 | Enjoyed it and would recommend
Book Format & Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Diana Kupershmit
Diana Kupershmit holds a Master of Social Work degree and works for the Department of Health in the Early Intervention program, a federal entitlement program servicing children birth to three with developmental delays and disabilities. She has published online in the Huffington Post, Mutha Magazine, Manifest Station, Power of Moms, Motherwell Magazine, Her View From Home, and Still Standing Magazine. On the weekends, she indulges her creative passion working as a portrait photographer specializing in newborn, family, maternity and event photography. She lives in New York City with her family.
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