A Blessing and a Curse: Autism and Me

by Caiseal Mór

His book captures the nostalgic romanticism of the Australian bush in the 1960s but also the height of deep ignorance and the culture of see no evil' in which almost all who could and should have changed things, looked the other way... Caiseal's book is as beautiful and magical as it is shocking.'

- From the Foreword by Donna Williams

Growing up in Australia in the 1970s, Caiseal M r was labelled 'retarded' and 'an idiot', and his...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 184310573X
• ISBN13: 9781843105732
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Challenging book

Caiseal Mor's book "A Blessing and a Curse: Autism and Me" tells a wild story from my point of view as an old man. I find it almost incredible. But I'm reassured when he finds love and peace with his wife Helen. Most of all, I'm impressed with his authenticity when he describes dreaming sequences of novels and orchestral compositions before writing them down. I compare that with Henri Poincare's ability to conceive new mathematical proofs before writing them down. Henri Poincare was a great philosopher, physicist and mathematician. He was born in 1854, and was nearsighted, had poor muscular coordination, and was seriously ill for a time with diphtheria. His mother gave him special instruction. He reached maturity and success before the word autism became current. But could he be understood as autistic? There is no definitive biography of Henri Poincare.

This is a Book that "Normal" People Will Love,Too.

I just wanted to pass on to Caiseal how much I've enjoyed reading his book "A Blessing and a Curse".I found it one of those books I just couldn't put down until the end. Although the book is about Autisim and DID,I found the book fasinating in many other ways as well,such as Caiseal's world travels,the spirituality,the courage,the humour,Caiseal's creativity;this story has something for everyone. I'm sure everyone can relate to Caiseal's story in one way or another,that's why I believe this is such a powerful book.There is a lesson in it for everyone that reads it. I'm sure that this book will go on to be a best seller when word spreads about this book,it seems to be divinely inspired,just as his music seems to be ( I was listening to "Rainwater" while reading the book and I will definately be buying his other CDs later). I haven't found a book this compelling a read in ages.

A Blessing and a Curse: Autism and Me

This book is beautifully written. I kept reading until I'd finished it, pausing along the way for my own emotional encounters with the text. The softness of the language and the storytelling gift only brought the indescribable brutality and cruelty of Caiseal's early life into stark awareness. Those with the disability were his family, his community, his doctors -homophobic Australia at its worst- and its not so many years ago. His extra-ordinary full life experiences and his clear descriptors of fragmented personalities captured my imagination. He has an amazing intellect and an equally huge capacity to move beyond "survival". As a neurotypical I have much to learn from him. As a teacher, I often tell parents of autistic children about Caiseal's story - to encourage them to THINK BIG for their children. Please read his story.

Excellent book!

Caiseal Mor courageously told the story of his difficult childhood, and how he has risen above it. A very inspiring, and at times shocking, autobiography.