Bears on the Stairs

By Kenneth A. Marston

THE LOSS OF A CHILD

Losing a child is catastrophic.

A parent becomes an emotional brick.

Life as it was vanished so quick.

"WHY

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors Press
• Release date: Apr 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781643142586

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Copyright © 2020 by Kenneth A. Marston

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

AuthorsPress

California, USA

www.authorspress.com

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

MICHAEL THE BEAR

NEILL’S BIRTH

HER NEW BROTHER

ILLNESSES

JUMPER CHAIR

HIS EYELASHES

ELFIN MAGIC

MIKEY THE BEAR

THREADBARE

MIKEY WINKING

CLOTHING

GLOVE ON HAND

TALKING

PRECIOUS JEWEL

HOME SWEET HOME

FLINTSTONE VITAMINS

NEILLY BUGZ

IN DA FRIDGE

RIDING HOT WHEELS

COOKIE

TESTS

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

BEDTIME STORY

ONE PARTICULAR STORY

BEST BUDDIES

SHARKS AND DINOSAURS

DIAMOND HILL

UNCLE PHIL

MISTER FOSS

SKIING

THE BULLY

MACKEREL FISHING

LOBSTER

DIVING

SNOWBALL FIGHT

THE RIGHT IDEA

TRIALS

GRAB ONTO MY HAND

GUITAR

CAR FIRE

SMILEY FACE

HOCKEY

HIKING

COMPUTER

MICROPHONE

HOLE

METEORITE SHOWER

POISON IVY

GRADUATION DAY

NEILL ON THE ROCKS

NYSSA

DISLOCATED KNUCKLE

SEASIDE

PAINTING/ARTIST

DOG FOR A RIDE

SALMON SCRAPPY

NEILL’S HOT CAR

A PLACE OF HONOR

TEARS

LIST

GRIEF

STRANGE DREAM

WHO CARES?

HIDE AND SEEK

NEILL’S GONE

DREAMS AND THOUGHTS

REMEMBER

DRAGGED

OLD WILY MIKE

CONCLUSION

REVIEW

BOOK TITLE: BEAR ON THE STAIRS

AUTHOR: KENNETH A. MARSTON

REVIEWED BY: Barbara Bamberger Scott

"The specialists informed us that raising a child with autism Was most difficult and a real gut wrencher."

A neatly organized collection of short poetic works tells the story of one parent’s experience of loving, observing, and understanding his autistic son. Marston’s son, Neill, was plagued with several anomalies during and after his birth, and signs of autism soon emerged. At first, in line with the thinking at the time, medical specialists suggested institutionalization for the child, but his parents rejected that option.

From initially being nonverbal, Neill, who was obviously intelligent despite his Asperger’s symptoms, learned to communicate by using his teddy bear Mike as a go-between, almost like a ventriloquist. By offering structure and loving attention, Neill’s father, mother, and older sister gave Neill a safe, nurturing environment. And Mike the bear continued to play a role, becoming a symbol of Neill’s progress. Despite the bullying and teasing that unfortunately often disrupt the school and social environments of mentally handicapped children, "That cuddle some bear gave Neill the courage to face trials. /