Back in June, blogged about Ben, a young man with autism who had a fierce devotion to the Snow White ride at Walt Disney World, and who was the last person to ride it, after more than 3,500 turns on it.
Ben’s father, Ron Miles, has published a memoir of his life with Ben, in which he narrates his journey as the father of a child with a profound mental disability, his love affair with Disney parks, and Ben’s development through the extraordinary adults in his life (including some very special and caring Disney cast-members). It’s an unflinching — and sometimes unflattering — account of the challenges of parenting and the special challenges of parenting a child with autism.
I read it very quickly, and often had to dab at my eyes, but it’s not a weeper, really — there’s plenty of hilarity and thoughtful wonder and appreciation of the sweetness of parenting as well as the difficulties. Here’s the blurb I sent to Ron for the book: “Brimming with heart and tragedy overcome, this is a book that captures the tribulations of parenthood, the magic of Disney World, and the wonderful online communities that allow us to lend aid and comfort to strangers around the world.”
It’s called 3500: An Autistic Boy’s Ten-Year Romance with Snow White, and it’s just out, and I heartily recommend it to you.
3500: An Autistic Boy’s Ten-Year Romance with Snow White