Ebook426 pages7 hours
Iris Grace: How Thula the Cat Saved a Little Girl and Her Family
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this ebook
Iris Grace is a beautiful little girl who, from a very young age, barely communicated, avoided social interaction with other people, and rarely smiled. From both before her diagnosis of autism and after, she seemed trapped in her own world, unable to connect with those around her.
One day, her mother brought home a Maine Coon kitten for Iris, even though cats aren’t typically thought of as therapy pets. Thula, named after one of Iris’s favorite African lullabies and meaning peace” in Zulu, immediately bonded with Iris. Thula knew right away how to assuage Iris when she became overstimulated; when to intervene when Iris became overwhelmed; and how to provide distraction when Iris started heading toward a meltdown. Whether exploring, playing, sleeping, or taking a bath with Iris or accompanying the family on a bike ride, Thula became so much more than a therapy cat. With Thula’s safe companionship, Iris began to talk and interact with her family.
This heartwarming story is illustrated with sixty of Iris’s gorgeous impressionistic paintings, works of art that have allowed her to express herself since the age of three. A gifted artist, Iris sees the natural world in a profoundly vivid and visceral way. With Thula by her side, she’ll sit and paint for hours, and the results are stunning.
Inspiring and touching, Iris Grace follows the struggles and triumphs of a familyand a miracle catas they learn to connect with an amazing child.
One day, her mother brought home a Maine Coon kitten for Iris, even though cats aren’t typically thought of as therapy pets. Thula, named after one of Iris’s favorite African lullabies and meaning peace” in Zulu, immediately bonded with Iris. Thula knew right away how to assuage Iris when she became overstimulated; when to intervene when Iris became overwhelmed; and how to provide distraction when Iris started heading toward a meltdown. Whether exploring, playing, sleeping, or taking a bath with Iris or accompanying the family on a bike ride, Thula became so much more than a therapy cat. With Thula’s safe companionship, Iris began to talk and interact with her family.
This heartwarming story is illustrated with sixty of Iris’s gorgeous impressionistic paintings, works of art that have allowed her to express herself since the age of three. A gifted artist, Iris sees the natural world in a profoundly vivid and visceral way. With Thula by her side, she’ll sit and paint for hours, and the results are stunning.
Inspiring and touching, Iris Grace follows the struggles and triumphs of a familyand a miracle catas they learn to connect with an amazing child.
Author
Arabella Carter-Johnson
Arabella Carter-Johnson is Iris Grace's mother and a professional photographer whose work ranges from family portraits and landscapes to wedding photography. She has documented her daughter's life through diary entries and photographs and this book. She resides in the United Kingdom.
Related to Iris Grace
Related ebooks
Hugs and Hisses: My Mission of Love as a Shelter Volunteer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWaking Up Slowly: Spiritual Lessons from My Dog, My Kids, Critters, and Other Unexpected Places Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Once on a Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Life Begins at 60: A New View on Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWelcome to the Funny Farm: The All-True Misadventures of a Woman on the Edge Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Summary of Ben Montgomery's Grandma Gatewood's Walk Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPeople Along the Sand Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Lost on a Mountain in Maine Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMini Horse, Mighty Hope: How a Herd of Miniature Horses Provides Comfort and Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAlone in the Woods: Cheryl Strayed, My Daughter, and Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDon't Lick the Minivan: And Other Things I Never Thought I'd Say to My Kids Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An Invisible Thread: A Young Readers' Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Light Between Oceans - 101 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know: GWhizBooks.com Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDog Tales: True Stories of Heroic Hounds Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecond-Chance Cats: True Stories of the Cats We Rescue and the Cats Who Rescue Us Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If Only They Could Talk: The Miracles of Spring Farm Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Abundance: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5God and the Outhouse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Emily of New Moon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wishing Jar: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great Horse Stories for Girls: Inspiring Tales of Friendship and Fun Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Paw Prints at Owl Cottage: The Heartwarming True Story of One Man and His Cats Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Little Princess (Unabridged) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJuniper: The Happiest Fox Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Journeys Home: Inspiring Stories, Plus Tips and Strategies to Find Your Family History Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cats & Daughters:: They Don't Always Come When Called Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Out of the Water Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Medical For You
The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina: Separating the Myth from the Medicine Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tight Hip Twisted Core: The Key To Unresolved Pain Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mediterranean Diet Meal Prep Cookbook: Easy And Healthy Recipes You Can Meal Prep For The Week Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies: Discover over 100 herbal Medicine for all kinds of Ailment Inspired By Barbara O'Neill Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 40 Day Dopamine Fast Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living Daily With Adult ADD or ADHD: 365 Tips o the Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Adult ADHD: How to Succeed as a Hunter in a Farmer's World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5ATOMIC HABITS:: How to Disagree With Your Brain so You Can Break Bad Habits and End Negative Thinking Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ (Revised Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hormone Reset Diet: Heal Your Metabolism to Lose Up to 15 Pounds in 21 Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Women With Attention Deficit Disorder: Embrace Your Differences and Transform Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution: Turn off the Genes That Are Killing You and Your Waistline Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Woman: An Intimate Geography Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Herbal Healing for Women Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The White Coat Investor: A Doctor's Guide to Personal Finance and Investing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hidden Lives: True Stories from People Who Live with Mental Illness Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Iris Grace
Rating: 3.821428464285714 out of 5 stars
4/5
14 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The book has beautiful illustrations of Iris Grace’s paintings. The author used her diary and photographer skills to document her daughter’s life from birth until eight. Their journey is filled with the joy and sorrows parent face with an autistic child. The parent’s professions allowed them to spend much of their time working at home. They are able to observe and find ways to communicate. One she is diagnosed; they spent their time and money modifying their house, trying several therapies, and exploring ways to accommodate their child’s needs. They learn that a child will choose a specific blanket, a toy, or other sensory item to provide comfort. In their case, comfort came in a cat named Thula. The cat do not really save the family, but provide a different way for Iris to express needs and find comfort. The author also provides a photographic index of Iris’s painting that is included in the book.I was randomly chosen through a Goodreads Giveaway to receive this book free from the publisher. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Despite the title, the book is really not about Thula the cat. She is in the book, of course, and is an incredible companion and support for Iris, but she occupies only a small part of the narrative. The book is about Iris Grace, the author’s lovely daughter who is on the autistic spectrum, and all that was done to reach her and bring her into the loud, bright, fast moving world.The book starts with Arabella and her husband and their life together before having Iris. Arabella at one point worked with training horses using a method that creates deep communication with the animals; they can be told what is wanted of them with small body movements when it’s done right. This may seem like an odd inclusion, but it’s important; Arabella’s ability to read body language turns out to be critical to the success of communicating with Iris. After Iris is born and they realize she is not neurotypical, their lives are totally centered on her. Fortunately, both parents are able to work mainly from home, so Iris always has a parent with her, watching to find clues to what will allow them to communicate with her, and trying to interact. They spend a lot of time seeking information on Iris’s condition and trying various therapies. Their house is rearranged to give Iris maximum opportunities for exploration and expression. They must have spent a truckload of money on art supplies, therapists, and books. And it turned out to be worth it; Iris eventually started talking, and became able to tolerate crowds and go out into the world so she could enjoy music (very important to her) performances. And she discovered painting; she’d always loved working with art, but painting turned out to be her passion and forte. Her paintings remind me of the work of Impressionists, especially Monet. Many original paintings and prints have been sold. And Thula? She’s proved to be a stabilizing force for Iris. When Iris is upset, she goes to her and maintains body contact, a firm reassurance. Before Thula arrived, Iris was terrified of taking a bath. Thula climbed right into the tub with Iris, and suddenly being immersed in water was acceptable, even enjoyable. Iris is her person, and she stays with her almost constantly, even at night- going to bed and to sleep is no longer a problem now that Thula is there to share her bed. She’s a natural service animal; no training was done and she was adopted as a young kitten. It’s an amazing story, illustrated with line drawings, photographs (Arabella is a professional photographer), and Iris’s paintings.
Book preview
Iris Grace - Arabella Carter-Johnson
qc book_preview_excerpt.html |۲qキ('fd8u8Bc5P]l {ZO?L_rZ#,n\re&zKjbSu:Z/9VT]XsV<9RͩK5!Ϸ<6SNW:3nBuw}Ƕ?WMU6+4ޫ&zg\-C1Ox=S6OwB&<=Lm.;.3k]y=X9+opW<2-`A}>.y\MB:F%yM|)1/H=j&5=Nc& NocxZބé(\Ms'P7lrüOH=u;8zM4&{A:X V*LRc˜xܧOid'j-:HK@L ~s}l:ѳMiO?0ÑNwŤ+k'kչsK]l?aNCCk^pm.lGrn`#>lf'0_G
y,̰.qPyfn
1a@H4)(+;_kqcKP.~MsinKpFW7?uZ ݉soєXwS07EoLBxU=7ew~]}rşb;Hi̊tݬH\1L1v]4N/P_5bP3d ý`Ӕ/eT0י>G{0==,s,6bF(a