Alex

By Jeff Stimpson

Nearly half a million preemies are born in the U.S. every year. But like most people, Jeff Stimpson, the father who wrote Alex , never gave premature babies a thought beyond the clich of medical... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897335287
• ISBN13: 9780897335287
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.1" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

This is a very accurate account of what it's like ...

I am a grandparent of preemies, so I know that Jeff Stimpson's book is an honest and moving account of what it's like to watch a brave tiny baby go through medically necessary procedures that you can't bear to watch, and then what it's like to take a preemie home who is extremely fragile and on various medical equipment. Coming through an experience like the one related in "Alex: The Fathering of a Preemie" is something that changes your perception of the world forever, and makes you acutely aware of the fragility of life, and how poignant every day is that we have with our loved ones.

Compelling account of raising a very tiny preemie

Alex, The Fathering of a Preemie is the compelling first hand account of raising child who was born extremely premature. Alex was born weighing only 23 ounces and spent one year in Neonatal Intensive Care in the hospital. As you might expect his time in the hospital was rocky, a wild ride on the often frightening preemie roller coaster. Once he came home from the hospital he still needed oxygen and feeding assistance for several years. Even as he began to get stronger, concerns were raised over developmental issues as he moved through preschool. Jeff Stimpson skillfully describes in intimate and accurate detail the emotional and practical impact of raising a very small preemie. The ups and downs, the joys and grief, the worries and just pure frustrations are beautifully elaborated. For most people who face this reality, life is an exhausting and apparently never ending blur, filled with emotional highs and lows. Jeff shows that parents can not only survive this journey, but maintain their hopes and sense of humor. His love for his son shines through on every page.

A terrific read

"Alex" is that rare combination of "truth is more compelling than fiction" and heartwarming, but not sappy, reportage. Jeff Stimpson has a remarkable ability to make you worry that every crisis is Alex's last -- even though you know from reading the dust jacket that today Alex is a happy, thriving 6-year-old, with one amazing set of parents.

Compelling, honest, raw, compassionate

Jeff Stimpson writes with wry humor, raw anger and complete candor as he walks through the life of his premature son, Alex. Some of the best moments in the books are in the retelling of the conversations between Jeff and his wife, Jill. As someone who has walked the road filled with landmines - that is the road of prematurity, I can say that this book is an honest and heartfelt account of the trials and tribulations of dealing with multiple opinions, distant doctors, conflicting emotions, and rude and insensitive comments from those who may not even mean to be rude and insensitive. Jeff and Jill showed great courage in their decisions about "what was best for Alex" and trusted their instincts. It's an inspiring read. Medical professionals should read ... there's a lot to be said about "family centered care" (or the lack thereof). Parents deserve more than many medical professionals are willing to give. Jeff has given us all a gift by writing this book. From the first page to the last, I was enraptured by the weaving of the story and Jeff's eloquent use of the language. Alex, buddy, you are loved. You are loved by people from all over the world who have never even met you. A must-read.

Reading about Alex!

I have followed Jeff's online journal about Alex, Ned, and Toast-the-Cat since Alex was still in the hospital. I found myself drawn to the website, week after week, for updates about this little boy named Alex. I've never met him. I've never seen him. I've never talked to him. But I feel as though he's a nephew or the son of a close friend of the family. This book is a fantastic, fabulous compilation of some of Jeff's essays on his website, and it's fascinating to be able to sit down and read, at leisure, for hours on end about Alex's triumphs and troubles, the family's dealings with the new and different diagnoses, and Toast. I just adore Toast!!! If you have a child, read this book. If you want a child, read this book. If you have a grandchild, niece, or nephew, read this book. Jeff's and Jill's dedication to their children, their desire to help them succeed, and their constant pushing to educate themselves is so evident in this book. You will laugh, you will cry. You will be exasperated, you will rejoice.