I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust: A Memoir of Autism and Hope

(Paperback)

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A remarkable memoir by a mother and her autistic daughter whod long been unable to communicateuntil a miraculous breakthrough revealed a young woman with a rich and creative interior life, a poet, whod been trapped inside for more than two decades.

I have been buried under years of dust and now I have so much to say.

These were the first words twenty-five-year-old Emily Grodin ever wrote. Born with nonverbal autism, Emilys only means of communicating for a quarter of a century had been only one-word responses or physical gestures.

That Emily was intelligent had never been in questionfrom an early age shed shown clear signs that she understood what was going on though she could not express herself. Her parents, Valerie and Tom, sought every therapy possible in the hope that Emily would one day be able to reveal herself. When this miraculous breakthrough occurred, Emily was finally able to give insight into the life, frustrations, and joys of a person with autism. She could tell her parents what her younger years had been like and reveal all the emotions and intelligence residing within her; she became their guide into the autistic experience.

Told by Valerie, with insights and stories and poetry from Emily, I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust highlights key moments of Emilys childhood that led to her communication awakeningand how her ability rapidly accelerated after she wrote that first sentence. As Valerie tells her familys story, she shares the knowledge shes gained from working as a legal advocate for families affected by autism and other neurological disorders.

A story of unconditional love, faith in the face of difficulty, and the grace of perseverance and acceptance, I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust is an evocative and affecting mother-daughter memoir of learning to see each other for who they are.

Reviews

"Parents of children with autism will find gentle, helpful guidance in these pages."--Kirkus Reviews
An impactful memoir of self-discovery.--Library Journal
"A person who is completely non-verbal may have an active mind concealed by sensory over-sensitivity and problems with controlling movement. You will find Emily's story fascinating."--Temple Grandin, bestselling author of Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain
"For every parent who has a child that was not at all what they expected and discovered they could be more than they dreamed possible. You may not see that your dedication and resilience are paying off now but who knows they may pay off in dividends later. A story for every human who knows what it feels like to be alone and then one to be seen."--Rabbi Sherre Hirsch, author of Thresholds and Chief Innovation Officer at the American Jewish University
"This is a story of hope, challenge, resilience, and strength. Emily defies all odds by her willingness to share her truth and express her thoughts in poetic, powerful ways. Her mother Valerie, always by her side, witnesses her daughter's awakening - and allows Emily to shine. This book is an awakening for us all, and will do for the non-speaking community and their families what Helen Keller's books did for the deaf community. We will finally be heard; finally be understood; finally released from bondage.--Elaine Hall, founder of The Miracle Project and author of Now I See the Moon

Author Bio

Emily Grodin is a poet. Valerie Gilpeer has been a disability rights attorney for more than a decade. Before establishing herself as a legal advocate in this area, she practiced civil and bankruptcy law. Valerie, her husband Tom, and daughter Emily live in Encino, California.