The Boy Who Can: The Jacob Trossman Story

When Jacob Trossman was born with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease, his prognosis was grim. The doctors warned his parents that he would never speak, sit or eat independently. The medical professionals were not optimistic that Jacob would have the ability to learn or to understand what was going on around him. Part survival manual, part love story between parent and child, The Boy Who Can is a chronicle of a mother's refusal to accept the limitations placed on her son. Marcy White recounts the seemingly overwhelming struggles and joyous rewards of parenting Jacob who engages everyone he meets with his infectious smile and sparkling green eyes. An unbelievable story of a parent's perseverance, creativity and courage in the face of a child's life-threatening genetic disorder. The Boy Who Can touches on medical ethics, the care demands shouldered by families, research and advocacy, the inclusion of children with disabilities and how their siblings fare. Louise Kinross, BLOOM Editor, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Written from the heart, this book reveals the anguish, joy and ferocious mother love in raising a child with complex care needs. Marcy White's account is written with an authentic voice-it is both honest and inspirational. For anyone faced with the unexpected challenges that test the human spirit, this book provides an emotional roadmap. Lisa Priest, author, Operating in the Dark: The Accountability Crisis in Canada's Health Care System.