{"product_id":"finding-matthew-a-child-with-brain-damage-a-young-man-with-mental-illness-a-son-and-brother-with-extraordinary-spirit-9781988360522","title":"Finding Matthew: A Child with Brain Damage, a Young Man with Mental Illness, a Son and Brother with Extraordinary Spirit","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuring the first few weeks after Matthew Kirk was born -- brain-damaged as a result of oxygen deprivation during delivery -- the doctors advised his parents, Donna and Ed Kirk, to put him in an institution, have another baby as soon as possible, and get on with their life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBut what the doctors didn't understand was that Matthew \u003cem\u003ewas\u003c\/em\u003e their life.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIndeed, as he grew, he would surprise everyone with his athletic good looks, spirited personality, and supreme ability to create joy and love as so many people gathered around to help him through his physical and mental struggles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow, with the publication of this clear-eyed, laugh-inducing, and heart-tugging book, Donna Kirk recounts the story -- the love story -- of how she and her family found Matthew, and how he found them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirk, Donna:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Donna Kirk's writings -- her short stories as well as the book Finding Matthew, a literary non-fiction narrative -- revolve on her family and, particularly, on her son Matthew, who was born with physical and developmental challenges. Her work has appeared in The Quick Brown Fox, Canadian Voices (volume two), Ars Medica, CommuterLit, and The Daily American, a U.S. newspaper. Donna lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband, Ed. www.donnakirk.com","brand":"Kinetics Design - Kdbooks.CA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50381632831762,"sku":"9781988360522","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_fd8bcdf3-e024-496c-880b-fab569fc36f7.jpg?v=1728698119","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/finding-matthew-a-child-with-brain-damage-a-young-man-with-mental-illness-a-son-and-brother-with-extraordinary-spirit-9781988360522","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}