Does anyone ever put anything interesting in here? Should I make something up? I am interested in polar exploration and eating food.
Music
Andrew Bird, Eels, Joanna Newsom, Jolie Holland, Little Jack Melody, Tom Waits, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Regina Spektor, David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Red Stick Ramblers, Raymond Scott, Dmitri Shostakovich, Benjamin Britten, Gustav Mahler, John "Don't Call Me Quincy" Adams, Philip Glass, Sergei Rachmaninov, John Corigliano, Elliot Goldenthal, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Sylvestre Revueltas
Movies
Where movies are concerned, there's The Big Lebowski, and there's everything else.
Television
Battlestar Galactica. (Don't look at me like that.)
Books
I know this is where I'm supposed to make myself look smart, but honestly? My favorite writer is Bill Bryson, and I suspect he's the one I emulate (ie. rip off) the most. I also like Anne Lamott (even with the Jesusy parts), and it doesn't get better for me than "A Prayer for Owen Meany", although after that, John Irving should have retired from writing and become a full-time wrestling coach.
Heroes
Sir Ernest Shackleton. I was only half kidding when I said polar exploration.
Permian H S
Odessa,Texas
Graduated: 1986
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
Clubs: Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, The Please-Go-Out-With-Me-Someone-Anyone Club.
When his daughter Schuyler was eighteen months old, a simple question by her pediatrician set in motion a slow transformation for Robert Rummel-Hudson, from a sarcastic, befuddled dad to the very last thing any new father or mother ever expects or desires to become: a special needs parent. Armed with nothing more than his love for his tenacious little girl and his determination to defeat her rare and invisible disorder, he fought his own depression, his past family dysfunction and the nagging suspicion that he was not the right person for the job. In doing so, he discovered a sense of purpose and responsibility, and became the father and advocate that Schuyler needed to help fight her monster.
SCHUYLER’S MONSTER is more than the memoir of a parent dealing with a child’s disability. It is the story of the relationship between a unique and ethereal little girl floating through the world without words, and her earthbound father. It is the story of a family struggling to find the answers to a child’s dilemma, but it is also a chronicle of their unique relationships, formed without traditional language against the expectations of a doubting world.
Ultimately, it is the tale of a little girl who silently teaches a man filled with self-doubt how to be the father she needs.
Author Bio
Robert Rummel-Hudson has been writing online since 1995. During that time, his work has been recognized by the Diarist Awards and has been featured in the Austin Chronicle, the Irish Times, the New Haven Register, the Dallas Morning News, Wondertime magazine and Good Housekeeping, as well as on American Public Radio's “Weekend America.” Robert was the featured keynote speaker at the 2009 Texas Speech Language Hearing Association Convention in Austin.
Robert and his family currently live in Plano, Texas, where Schuyler attends a special class for children who use Augmentative Alternative Communication devices. Much of her days are now spent in mainstream classes with neurotypical children her age.
“A gripping explication, shot through with equal parts horror and hope, of how parenthood can turn ordinary people into passionate advocates.” - Neal Pollack, author of Alternadad
“Robert Rummel-Hudson is brave enough to reveal the damage the discovery of his child's condition did to his marriage and to his own sense of self. He manages to repair some of the damage through close involvement with Schuyler and vigorous campaigning on her behalf. His memoir is honest, often painful and deeply personal.” - Charlotte Moore, author of George & Sam
“The book is engaging and honest - I'm sure it will help many parents who are struggling to find the most loving way to help their children who have ‘issues.’” - Dana Buchman, designer, author of A Special Education: One Family's Journey Through the Maze of Learning Disabilities
“Rummel-Hudson’s memoir offers a moving account of his and wife Julie’s unrelenting efforts to give their buoyant little girl a way to communicate.” – People magazine
“Relating the battle for his exceptional daughter with nimble wit, ardor and considerable descriptive ability, Rummel-Hudson has evolved from blogger to author.” – Kirkus
“…A study not only in Schuyler’s vivacious and resilient personality, but also in the redeeming power of understanding…” – Publishers Weekly
“This memoir, full of fear and rage and disappointment and acceptance and advocacy and ferocious love, offers plenty of touchstones for parents who have dealt with diagnoses that are infuriatingly wrong or frighteningly right….” – Terri Mauro, author of The Everything Parent’s Guide to Sensory Integration Disorder
“Rummel-Hudson chronicles, with disarming frankness, the experience of parenting a child no one knows how to help.” – Brain, Child
“…This story will both compel and inspire readers on their own self-journey.” – Texas Family magazine
“We all play the hand that we are dealt in life. Knowing that there are many people like Robert, Julie and Schuyler who play their difficult hand with grit, tenacity and love makes this world a much better place in which to live.” – The Citizen, Auburn, New York
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Who I'd like to meet: Christopher Walken, for dance lessons.
thanks for the add!! I have a 5 year old son, and he knows about Schuyler! I started reading and he wanted to know what was so sad and funny at the same time!!! I hope for the best in the years to come!!!...P.S. I am totally pissed at Margaret and Michelle and the stupid summer school teacher!! :) Although Schuyler has no idea who I am give her a hug and kiss from me and my son! :)
Hi Robert I'm gettin' your book. Seems lots of parents face something. For us it was the ADD monster. We're still workin' through it. Our prayers are with you. Much success. Sue
I just finished the book. WOW!! It gave me a new perspective from daddy and how similar our feelings were and are. Every time I read the work polymicrogyria I had to re-group for a moment. When Carly was dx there were only a few articles on the internet that even referenced PMG and now I am reading a memoir of a parent who shares that moment of hearing that monstrous word for the first time and have to deal with the fact that it lives in their baby's brain. Thank you. Thank you for taking time to put into words the raw and personal emotion. Thank you for bringing some press to PMG. I actually taught a Partner's in Policymaking class this past weekend and for the first time in three years someone knew what it was because they had read your book. Do you know how awesome it was to not have to explain what a neural migration disorder of the brain is? I can't wait for my husband to read it. I am sure it will touch him like it touched me. Our paths may never cross, but your family will always be in my heart.
hey there....I just got my book, i'm so excited....i've only read the first chapter but have to say i chuckled a bit seeing as how I'm from Michigan, not kalamazoo, but just outside Detroit (Livonia) and can relate to what u say about the city and of course our weather. def. the winters are more like 6 months looooong......I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book!
Rob, the book was wonderful...While my daughter's "monster" is a different one, I could totally relate to the frustration you all were up against in pushing for Schuyler's needs to be met by the school.
All I've ever been told is that mine is too smart to really need any help, though they don't quite understand how someone can do their homework but not turn it in because "no one asked for it." Thankfully she's almost made it through her first year of middle school with no accomodations at all. Maybe you could come be an advocate at the next IEP :)
Dude, so I AM a dumbass. I thought I read that the reading and signing was at 3pm so I arrive at 3:10 bright eyed and bushy tailed...and realized your signing was at one. I was pretty damn near tears.:(
Hey there~ I have Schuyler's Monster on hold at Borders and will be picking it up today! Look forward to reading, and passing along to my co-workers...we'll surely gain from your experiences-- thank you!
