Son-Rise – The Miracle Continues

There’s nothing like a true story made into a book, made into a television movie to get one inspired, and Barry Kaufman’s Son-Risedid just that for me.  This is the story of a child with autism.  Barry and his wife Samahria Kaufman gave birth to Raun, who exhibited all the characteristics of a normal child.  He was developing normally, but at four weeks old, Raun battled with an ear infection that spread thoughout his nose and throat, Raun was treated with antibiotics, which caused a severe dehydration, eventually landing him in the hospital for several days.  The treatment had severe side effects and the doctors feared he would have permanent hearing loss.  Finally, the Kaufmans were allowed to take their infant home.  At first, Raun developed normally, but eventually he started exhibiting unusual behavior, giving Samahria and Barry cause for concern.  He was detached and shunned all human touch.  Raun was eventually diagnosed as severely autistic.

Samahria and Barry went through a series of tests only to be told there was no cure.  The best they could hope for was that maybe Raun would eventually learn a few skills, like dressing himself and uttering robotic responses.  But eventually he would be institutionalized.  Against the odds, Samahria decided to take action, ignoring the doctor’s advice.  She decided that she was going to reach her son, no matter what it took.  She had no expectations, only acceptance—she wanted to connect with her child.  The best way that she knew how to do that was to enter his world in hopes that he would feel safe enough to eventually enter hers.

Samahria spent every waking hour mimicking Raun’s behavior.  If he spun a plate, she spun a plate.  If he threw his food, she threw her food.  If he jumped up and down, so did she.  And she did all this in the tiny bathroom of their home.  She chose the bathroom because there wasn’t much in there that Raun could destroy, and it was a place where they always had their interaction.  Eventually, Raun began to respond.  The Kaufman family eventually all got involved, including Raun’s two older sisters, Byrn and Thea.  The Kaufmans elicited help from volunteers to get involved with treating their son.  And with time, patience, and a few setbacks, Raun began to develop like a toddler and eventually showed no signs of autism.

The doctors who had diagnosed him as autistic were astounded. Caseworkers and teachers of special education programs came to observe Raun’s daily routine.  In their opinion, it was a miracle.

What moved me the most about Son-Rise, The Miracle Continues is the amount of love this family had for their child.  They gave up a lot to be able to connect with him and to be in his world.  They also took a big chance, not knowing the outcome.  Their methods were unorthodox, but safe.  There were no drugs involved, only dietary changes.

The Kaufmans eventually created their own institute, showing parents how to work with their autistic children—the main medicine being unconditional love and acceptance.  And to this day, The Option Institute has helped thousands of children rise above autism, as well as a host of other related and non-related disorders.  Raun, who is now completely recovered, is the director of The Option Institute.

Son-Rise was first published over thirty years ago.  A television movie about autism was based on that book.  It offered hope to those families who were told there was no cure for autism.  The newly published Son-Rise, The Miracle Continues has three parts.  The first part is about the struggle and the eventual success of Raun Kaufman.  Part two of this book explores Raun’s development from childhood at age four to becoming a young adult.

Part three interviews five other families who went through similar circumstances and were victorious over their child’s diagnosis.  All five families have inspiring success stories, and their once unreachable children are now happy, thriving, and functional beings.  These testimonies offer hope along with the limitless opportunities.

This is a must read.  I read the 346-page book from cover to cover in just 48 hours, unable to put it down. Autism is a growing epidemic, and could affect you or someone you know.  Son-Rise, The Miracle Continues teaches us to be more accepting of people’s differences.  It teaches us to love unconditionally, and it is a true testimony to what the human mind is really capable of.

Son-Rise, The Miracle Continues can be purchased at most bookstores everywhere.

Reviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Recommended Reading: One Child by Torey L. Hayden, Copyright 1980

When special-education teacher Torey Hayden wrote her first bookOne Child almost two decades ago, she created an international bestseller.  Her intensely moving true story of Sheila, a silent, profoundly disturbed little six-year-old girl, touched millions. From every corner of the world came letters from readers wanting to know more about the troubled child who had come into Torey Hayden’s class as a “hopeless case,” and emerged as the very symbol of eternal hope within the human spirit.

The Tiger’s Child by Torey L. Hayden, Copyright 1995, the sequel toOne Child.

NONFICTION

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