Review of My Brave Face

[Martina Ungwugain]

[Following is a volunteer review of "My Brave Face" by Heather Simpson.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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My Brave Face by Heather Simpson is a non-fictional book written by a mother about her and her son’s experience with a bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The book is a real-life account by the author detailing how she and her family coped with her and her son Stephen Alan Simpson's bone disease, especially at a time when medical knowledge on the disease is still in its infancy. This book showcases the family's struggles, pains, joy, happiness, and sadness as they help Stephen live with this disease.

All I can say is that this book showcases love, faith, and endurance at their peaks. The author intends to create awareness about the disease, to give hope, and to encourage anyone who has someone with the disease. Stephen Alan Simpson is brave, courageous, and heroic, he handles every episode with a smile, and his wit brings joy to people around him despite his medical condition.

I like that the author shares experiences as they happened, whether sad, painful, happy, exciting, or joyful. It gives the book the realness it needs as a tool for relatives going through this kind of experience. I also like that she uses simple words that are easily comprehendible. It is helpful because, due to the subject matter discussed in the book, the readers need to be able to digest the words. The author's inclusion of pictures and letters was inspiring. Steve meeting the Queen in the hospital is beautiful. The author tried to record any joy they could get as a family since the experience was painful.

My only dislike is that the author could have outlined the event in an orderly manner according to how the events happened, thereby eliminating any form of confusion regarding the dates and time of the event. This book is helpful to anyone with a loved one suffering any life-threatening ailment as it gives hope. Even medical practitioners will find the book beneficial. I also believe the book will make a good story on screen as it gives hope.

This book is exceptionally well edited, and the dislikes mentioned above do not take from the book. So, I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to every adult. The book took me longer than expected to review because I was overwhelmed by the mother’s circumstances, thoughts, disposition, and attitude. I commend her strength in the face of her most challenging times. Heather Simpson, you are a role model worthy of emulation.

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My Brave Face
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