Book Description

Life isn't fair. We do our best; we will fail and find pain along the way, but we will never give up. A Brick Wall is a story of how a little boy's diagnosis set his parents on a journey seeking answers and changes to the world he lives in. This honest account takes us through their approach in raising their three children, two of whom were diagnosed with autism. The Gallaghers crafted their parenting skills, retained their patience, and met their challenges with love, determination, and fierceness. Believing a cluster of children with autism lived in their hometown, the Gallagher's journey led them to their congressman's office. Alongside Congressman Chris Smith, their efforts led to national legislation, and awareness of the disability. As the reader follows their story, through tragedy of illness, and battles with an unfair system, they will become attached to the Gallagher family, and cheer them on in hopes of a victory. This is not a fairy tale of how autism was defeated, or any miraculous breakthrough. Discover a very personal account of how a family coped from diagnosis to adulthood, through tragedy of illness and their battle with an unfair system. A Brick Wall is a story of how a family has learned that each and every life has value, and you never truly know the part you have played in making the world a better place. Through many of the struggles and often unfair cards dealt, the Gallagher's have persevered to ensure that their children have happy lives, regardless of the severity of their autism. Bobbie and Bill Gallagher's journey led them to their congressman's office. Believing a cluster of children with autism lived in their hometown. With Congressman Chris Smith, their efforts led to national legislation and awareness of the disability. That was just the beginning of the Gallaghers' fight for the treatment and understanding they knew their children deserved. At the core this book is a love story, a love story of a remarkable family set upon the battlefield of a system that was trying to destroy them. This book allows us an intimate insiders view of the Gallagher's epic fight to give their children a life worth living. Their struggles and triumph has impacted the entire Autism community. This simply is a must read for every parent, for every educator and everyone with a heart. What an incredible book, what an incredible journey! ~ Gary Weitzen, Executive Director, POAC Autism Services Written in an intimate, honest, and compassionate way, the Gallagher family's story is captivating, filled with the painful realities and hard-won joys of life with severe autism. As we witness Alanna and Austin's daily and lifelong challenges, I stand in awe of them and their parents' determination and resilience. Much like the untold stories of so many families, this must-read book is both heartbreaking and inspiring! ~ Suzanne Buchanan, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Autism New Jersey From the first sentence Gallagher draws you into the often difficult yet rewarding world of raising two children on the autism spectrum, and she does so with grace, humor, and candor. Her writing spans two decades, taking readers from the early days of diagnosis to how she is creating fulfilling lives for both of her adult children. Amidst the challenges and celebrations outlined in this book she offers hope to parents; it is a must-read for anyone raising an autistic child." ~ Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, author of Raising Autism: Surviving the Early Years