Endorsements
"I believe Opening Doors, Opening Lives will be extremely useful to families who are trying to negotiate the education maze for their children with disabilities, as well as for teachers who are often just as lost in the system. I very much like the style of the writing and the practical, open approach to advocating for inclusion. The ‘points to remember' sections at the end of each chapter are very useful and fun."
—Barbara LeRoy, Ph.D.
Director of The Developmental Disabilities Institute
Wayne State University
"Opening Doors, Opening Lives is fantastic! I enjoyed reading it very much and found myself teary and excited by the way you described the trials and tribulations of the inclusive education process. The unique and informed perspective of a professional educator and loving parent is compelling. Parents who read Opening Doors, Opening Lives will know that they are not alone and that in fact educational best practice is inclusive. Opening Doors, Opening Lives promotes quality educational outcomes for all students."
—Christine Lerchen
Executive Director
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County
"Opening Doors, Opening Lives provides inspiration and support for parents who want their child with disabilities placed in their neighborhood school. It can help educators gain insights into working with families and children with special needs in their classrooms and schools. The tips at the end of each chapter speak to anyone who wants to understand and interact with a child with disabilities as well as those who care for them. I recommend this book to anyone who cares about how all our children are educated."
—Sharon Schwille, Ph.D.
Teacher Preparation Program Coordinator
Michigan State University
"Opening Doors, Opening Lives is a sensitive, insightful look into raising a child with special needs. Jennifer Greening has captured the essence of supporting her daughter and providing all parents with a clear path of how they, too, can create better lives for these precious children."
—Jim Ryan, Ed.D
Former Superintendent
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
"I began reading Opening Doors, Opening Lives and could not put it down. It is a great picture of the complexity of supporting students with disabilities through the eyes of a parent. This book is a good read for educators, parents, and administrators. It helps us in the maturational process of educating all children to the very best of our ability as a community. Thank you for enriching our perspective on educating children by sharing your experience."
—Jerry Meier
Elementary School Principal
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
"Outstanding! As a public school teacher for the past 15 years, I feel Opening Doors, Opening Lives is a must read for any parent with a child with special needs and any teacher working with a child with special needs. The practical advice found in this book is priceless. Over the years, I have been in many special education meetings with parents, and, without a doubt, those parents who have a clear vision for their child are much better able to be an advocate for their children. Knowledge is power, and Opening Doors, Opening Lives helps parents become powerful advocates for their children. I give my highest recommendation of this book to any parent who has a child with special needs and also to any teacher who teaches children with special needs."
—Kevin J. Cousino, MS
High School Science Teacher
"I loved Opening Doors, Opening Lives! It is a very practical, self-help guide for parents of children with special needs. Your resources at the back of the book are wonderful. It has a conversational tone that is a quick and easy read, and it is well worth the time and effort to do so. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I would like to strongly recommend this book to any parent and teacher who want to learn more about children with special needs.
This book has forever changed my ideas about inclusion. For thirty-five years, I have always thought that special schools or CI classrooms are the best placement for most children with special needs. This is with the thinking that we can mainstream them as much as possible later. After reading Opening Doors, Opening Lives, I realize that this is not always the case. I'm going to be a better teacher for a student with autism placed in my classroom, because I read your book.
From now on I will always think of Opening Doors, Opening Lives when I work with a special need's child in my regular second grade classroom. I will always see the special need's child as a person with a name, a face, and parents who love them just like any other child."
— Nancy Weycker
Second Grade Teacher