Rex sees the world differently from most children. Being both blind and autistic, he has significant challenges to overcome in communicating and relating to others. However, Rex has found his voice in music. In this memoir Rex's mother, Cathleen Lewis, tells their story-how Rex is finding his voice and place in the world, and the challenges she faces raising her son in a world where disability is often misunderstood. This inspiring story of a mother's love and her child's spirit show how love and faith can achieve miracles.
The inspiring story of Rex, a boy who is not only blind and autistic, but who also happens to be a musical savant.
How can an 11-year old boy hear a Mozart fantasy for the first time and play it back note-for-note perfectly-but struggle to navigate the familiar surroundings of his own home? Cathleen Lewis says her son Rex’s laugh of total abandon is the single most joyous sound anyone could hear, but his tortured aversion to touch and sound breaks her heart and makes her wonder what God could have had in mind. In this book she shares the mystery of Rex and the highs, lows, hopes, dreams, joy, sorrows, and faith she has journeyed through with him.
Endorsements
"This memoir documents a musical savant in a way we have not seen before, allowing us to reconsider the limits we place on people with disabilities. Highly recommended for all public libraries and academic libraries with autism and special needs collections." -- Library Journal, 11/25/2008
"Two of the most extraordinary and uplifting people I have ever known. Their story shows the amazingly moving struggle and success that proves love and faith can achieve miracles." -- Jane Seymour, actress, artist, author, and entrepreneur
"The remarkable story of a mother’s love and a child’s indomitable spirit, told in a writer’s style that riveted me to the page, is singularly the most important work ever written on the relationship between a parent and a child with disability. For me, as a person who happens to be blind, the experience of reading Rex was an eye-opener I will never forget. Bravo, Cathleen! Bravo, Rex. Your work and your lives will forever change the future of disability in America. -- Tom Sullivan, author of Adventures in Darkness and Together
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
7 of 7 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Audrey Hebbert (Omaha, NE 68114), March 17, 2009
Reading Rex introduced me to autism, a subject I had never contemplated before, and I embraced the experience. Told by a gifted storyteller and mother, this tale encompasses compassion, courage, valor, and sheer holding on for both mother and child. They share a mutual experience that grows richer for the telling, and their gift to all of us has the makings of a classic.
Some places I wept; at other times I celebrated, as these individuals melded together for Rex’s good. Lewis’ faith remained, her courage didn’t flag, her encouragers supported their needs, and somehow the money flowed for the inevitable journey that thrust itself upon these two indomitable individuals.
You may not enjoy this book in the usual sense, but your heart and mind will remain captivated long after you read the last word. As I said, a classic has been forged within the book’s pages.
Reviewed by Audrey Hebbert, M.A., author of Green Light Red Light
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Susan Beckman (Jupiter, FL), February 23, 2009
Rex, the autistic son of Cathleen Lewis, was born blind and developed into a self-taught pianist. When Cathleen Lewis begins her book, “Rex,” she is describing an interview on CBS 60 Minutes with Lesley Stahl. My first gut feeling was why would a mother want to publicly expose her blind and autistic child to the world and set him up for ridicule and humiliation. However, in her book, this mother explains details of her heart-wrenching feelings when her world was turned upside down.
Cathleen was told by medical professionals that her son would probably never walk or talk. I was touched by her proactive attempts to find any possible avenue to improve her son’s life and defy his prognoses. After doing research regarding autism, she started questioning the physicians, therapists, and schools. I applaud her steadfast quest to overcome the odds of her son, Rex, never being able to assimilate into society.
Cathleen started attending church and started asking God WHY – when God answered her prayers and she discovered her son’s disabilities and accomplishments were to glorify God.
As I read about Rex’s gift to learn the piano on his own and go above and beyond any well-known musician’s ability and talent, it became very clear to me that God was most certainly being glorified. My feels quickly changed. This boy should absolutely be revealed and made known to the world, so that God’s glory will be made known to everyone. What the system said about Rex never being able to accomplish anything in life was totally turned around with a miracle by God.
I am a true advocate in believing we must do research on our own, instead of only believing what the medical and educational professionals want us to believe to be the only truth of our future. Cathleen Lewis and Rex are tremendous and outstanding examples and living proof that God can and does work miracles against all odds in this world.
I highly recommend this book for anyone needing encouragement in life.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Stephanie (Binghamton, NY), February 17, 2009
When I saw this book, my interest was immediately piqued, as my young nephew has been diagnosed with autism. As a mom, I could not help but be pulled in by Cathleen's determination to do her very best for her special needs son. I could understand her struggle in those first few months of hearing bad diagnosis after bad diagnosis: blindness, autism, will never walk, etc. I mourned with her the loss of her "normal" child.
Lest you think this book is all doom and gloom, think again! Although Rex was born blind and diagnosed with other issues, you can't help but be inspired by him, his mother, and his teachers. Receiving a small keyboard from his father on his second birthday, Rex begins to make strides that no one thought he would. Unbelievably, although Rex couldn't even walk around his own living room without becoming disoriented, he could play complicated pieces of music... without the music. His piano teachers could play a series of notes or even whole selections of music - something Rex had never heard before - and, Rex could play it back note by note.
You can't help but admire Cathleen and her tireless journey of advocating for her son. Only those with a special needs child could truly understand and appreciate the commitment it takes. Rex represents many special young people. True, many children with disabilities may not be able to play the piano like a master – but, I’m afraid we have underestimated their ABILITIES! After reading this book, you can’t help but look at those children that “professionals” have diagnosed as disabled and try to see beyond what the doctors see. Seeing instead, the amazing abilities and talents they DO have and trying to nurture them.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Megan (IL), January 31, 2009
As the cover proclaims, Rex is the story of “a mother, her autistic child, and the music that transformed their hearts.” The book recounts the discovery of Rex’s challenging disabilities, blindness and autism.
It shares the ups and downs of dealing with those disabilities: the hard, debilitating, “I can’t go on moments” as well as the shining moments of hope and progress. Many times these moments walked hand in hand causing Cathleen to learn over and over to walk by faith not by sight.
It tells the story of a mother who was willing to stand-up and advocate for her son. To fight for his right to be educated in a way that worked for him.
And it shares the astonishing, miraculous discovery of Rex’s musical ability. Rex struggled to communicate as he grew up. He struggled to read Braille and even speak. But, when it came to music and the piano, Rex was set free. Able to play back complicated musical pieces with ease, change keys and even change the feel of a song (i.e. to play it like Chopin, or a waltz, or even a Russian dance) Rex continually amazed those who happened to hear him play (including 60 minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl).
Cathleen writes in a way any mother can relate to. She tells her story in a way that will tear at your heartstrings and leave you inspired. I would recommend this book to anyone, but think that mother’s of special needs children would be especially encouraged by this story.
At its heart Rex shares the journey of a mother. A mother who learns to trust and hope in the most difficult of times and is given an example of what love and joy truly are through the unexpected gift of her son, Rex.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Desiree (Chico, CA), January 12, 2009
Cathleen Lewis took her families struggles and turned it into miracle. I was instantly drawn into their lives when I picked up the book. She lays all of her emotions, thoughts, fears, and hopes for the reader to see. I cannot even imagine living a life with a child who is both blind and autistic. However, as a mother she has blessed her child in remarkable ways. She took the cards life dealt her, and played them successfully. I am touched by her faith in God, and how she used it to guide her parenting. She trusted God to guide her. Cathleen knew that they only way to find comfort was to lean on God. She is a remarkable example for all those struggling with unimaginable situations. I grew to truly care about her son Rex. I doubt I will ever meet him, but his perseverance and spirit has certainly touched my life. Rex seems like such a remarkable child. God has truly gifted him with the gift of music. Cathleen should be very proud of the son she has raised. I only hope that I am able to impact my children’s lives the way she has impacted her son’s life. This was an amazing testimony of faith, hope, and love.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Linda (Cream Ridge, NJ), January 11, 2009
For me, this book was full of love, hope, inspiration, and faith. It shows clearly how God can take what man thinks is impossible and turn it into a world of possibilities.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Janet (Hinesville, GA), January 11, 2009
I was so thankful for the opportunity to read this book! It’s the story of God’s miraculous work in the lives of two incredible people: a multiply-disabled, musical savant and his lovingly dedicated mother.
The book starts out sad as Cathleen Lewis learns about one after another of her son’s disabilities and receives little, if any, encouragement or hope for his future. But when Cathleen begins to research these problems for herself, the book becomes quite fascinating. In fact, it demonstrates vividly just how “fearfully and wonderfully made” each of us actually is—the human brain is so complex! If the smallest thing is off, it can create big problems that baffle the world’s greatest minds and challenge the individual in huge ways!
Cathleen shares how her almost hopeless struggle to help Rex led her to God and how she relied on Him to guide her as Rex tackled each new developmental challenge. She also explains how God used music to help Rex overcome many of these challenges and also to find his joyful place in this world. To find such profound musical genius in one who struggles so with everything else is a wondrous, awe-inspiring thing. It is a truly happy and triumphant story of hope, God’s work, miracles, and grace.
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