In 'Life, Animated,' Ron Suskind shares a deeply personal journey of parenting his son Owen, who was diagnosed with autism. Struggling to connect with Owen, Ron discovers the power of Disney movies as a unique bridge between their worlds. Through the lens of animated storytelling, Owen learns to navigate his emotions and embrace his identity. This touching narrative explores the challenges of autism, the strength of family bonds, and the transformative magic of animated films. 'Life, Animated' invites readers to witness how hope and creativity can illuminate the darkest paths.
By Ron Suskind
Published: 2016
"We have a choice to make in every moment: to follow the script of our lives or to write our own story, finding the meaning hidden in the spaces between."
Imagine being trapped inside a Disney movie and having to learn about life mostly from animated characters dancing across a screen of color. A fantasy? A nightmare? This is the real-life story of Owen Suskind, the son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind and his wife, Cornelia. An autistic boy who couldn't speak for years, Owen memorized dozens of Disney movies, turned them into a language to express love and loss, kinship, brotherhood.The family was forced to become animated characters, communicating with him in Disney dialogue and song; until they all emerge, together, revealing how, in darkness, we all literally need stories to survive.
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“We have a choice to make in every moment: to follow the script of our lives or to write our own story, finding the meaning hidden in the spaces between.”
Life, Animated
By Ron Suskind
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Ron Suskind is an acclaimed American author and journalist, known for his in-depth narratives and investigative journalism. He has written several notable works, including 'A Hope in the Unseen,' which tells the story of a gifted African American student navigating the challenges of poverty and education; 'The One Percent Doctrine,' which examines the post-9/11 mindset and U.S. counterterrorism strategy; and 'Life, Animated,' a Pulitzer Prize-winning account of his son's autism and the family's journey through Disney movies as a means of communication. Suskind's writing is characterized by a blend of empathy and rigorous research, often illuminating complex social issues and personal stories.
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