Canfield mom’s book chronicles special journey

January 27, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted.Michele Gianetti signed copies of her new book at the Poland library in December.

By EMILY GIANETTI

A child should be able to enjoy life. The feel of grass on a child’s foot should not make them want to cry and run away, and the feel of a bath should not make a child scream. However, 14-year-old Elizabeth Gianetti could not be that carefree child.

Michele Gianetti, Elizabeth’s mother, wrote a book about her daughter’s disorders: dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder. The book, titled “I Believe in You: A Mother and Daughter’s Special Journey” was released by Tate Publishing on its website last November and on Amazon Jan. 10.

According to Gianetti, she wrote the book to “tell the world all about my daughter, to let the world know all that she can do, to help educate about the two disorders and to help those who may be at the starting line where we once were.”

Gianetti first noticed a difference in Elizabeth in her first week of life, but was gripped by denial that anything could was wrong with her daughter. However, after Elizabeth turned 2, a friend gave Michele a glimpse of what could be wrong with her daughter.

Many phone calls and much research later, Michele finally found the first of many therapists that would eventually help Elizabeth. Therapy began the next week and still continues in some forms today.

“Elizabeth has grown an amazing amount. Everything we have done has been so worth seeing her achievements,” said Gianetti.

The book covers all therapies that were tried and topics such as dealing with school systems. Since the book’s release, Gianetti has plans to speak at both universities and libraries as well as group meetings for educators. She hopes the book will reach a wide audience and help as many people as possible.

As for the title, it is the very phrase Gianetti has said to Elizabeth every day since the first year of her life. “I just wanted her to know that I knew she could do anything in this world.”

Copies of the book can be purchased on Tate Publishing’s website, on amazon.com, on barnesandnoble.com or by contacting the author at ibelieveinyoubook@hotmail.com.

For more information about dyspraxia, visit www.dyspraxiausa.org or www.spdfoundation.net for information of sensory processing disorder.