Catherine’s Story

This book is based on a child who suffers from a kind of epilepsy known as infantile spasms or West Syndrome, which has left her profoundly and multiply learning disabled. Frances wants to know what makes her cousin Catherine so special. Catherine’s dad explains that there are lots of special things that Catherine can do. She can clap her hands so quietly that no one can hear her. She can walk in special walking boots that send Frances toppling about when she tries them on. Catherine can’t talk, but she can listen very well (and listening well is a special skill that not many people master). Most importantly, her dad feels special knowing that Catherine is his little girl. Her dad kisses her goodnight and notices she’s smiling and clapping her hands very, very quietly.