A Place for Noah

Josh Greenfeld writes of his multiply challenged son, Noah. Born 7/1/66, Noah never really mastered verbal communication, his toileting remained hit or miss and he could not really be engaged in any social activity. Noah's older brother, Karl (b. 11/64) is, in the author's word, "wonderfully unremarkable," a normal foil to Noah's challenges. Karl understandably wants a normal, healthy brother and vacillated between anger at Noah and affection for Noah. In one poignant entry, Karl, then 6, tells Josh not to institutionalize Noah because he loves Noah.The Greenfelds leave the suburb of Croton, New York for Southern California in search of a helpful program for Noah. Josh, a screenwriter and his wife, Foumi, also a writer find their niche in California and Karl forges out a group of friends. Noah endures the gamut of programs from operational conditioning to short term instituitionalization, which is outlined in "A Client Called Noah." Irate over the poor treatment Noah went through, the Greenfelds have their son removed from the institution and a round of searches begins anew.Prior to this drastic decision, Foumi begins an after school program for developmentally delayed children in their community and Noah is one of their pupils. This book covers the years 1972 - 1977 when Noah was nearly 6 until he had just turned 10. The time period shows the woefully inadequate plans and the overall lack of knowledge in austism with multiple challenges.

I recently read an update on this family, I think it was from the last 90's. Josh had health problems and they had to institutionalize Noah. The older son,Karl,became a writer. I've only read the first book, it was incredible and moving. It's sad that there isn't a "good" resolution to this story but it's well written and should give peace to parents of handicapped children,there is no perfect answer,no perfect parenting, people can only do the best that they can. I'm also grateful to Josh Greenfeld for writing such an honest and moving book.

Would really like to know how this family has survived, can't imagine what their lives were like! the author couldn't have revealed it better although many of us will never have been there. I see so much courage,faith, and love coming from those pages. Would like to know how Noah is doing now. Would like to contact Josh, he's a saint !