No Ordinary Move: A Memoir

By Linda Bidabe and Chris Voll

A triumphant story of renouncing victimhood, reclaiming human dignity, and risking everything to see caged hearts and minds set free. Hers may not be a household name, but Linda Bidabe is a hero to thousands of people - especially children, worldwide. Now, in this riveting memoir, the rest of us are let in on what made this Californian special education teacher so unique. A radical who refused to accept the conventional wisdom that the so-called "beanbag kids" in her care would never walk, Linda persisted in her efforts to get even the most severely disabled among them on their feet. In No Ordinary Move she reveals the source of her success and of the passion that drives her. In the process, she takes us through a hardscrabble childhood on a Kansas farm, the self-loathing of adolescence, the heartbreak of divorce, and the trials of single parenthood - and haunting memories of "too many small white coffins" of children with severe disabilities who, she was sure, could have been saved. Driven by a fierce loyalty to those in her care and the conviction that all of us deserve a chance to live before we die, Linda swore to help each child fulfill his or her greatest aspiration. From the rubble of her own painful life experiences, she built the revolutionary approach to overcoming obstacles that shows us that if we set our sights on a goal, nothing can hold us back. Her story holds promise for anyone facing challenges.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874869153
• ISBN13: 9780874869156
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

No Ordinary Move is no ordinary Memoir

I read this book months ago and simply could not put it down. It is inspiring from Bidabes account of her encounter with a dyslexic boy whom she automatically feels the instinct to rescue, to her childhood home catching on fire, straight to how she came to form MOVE and greived every time she lost a child. Linda Bidabe is not only a leader but has so much compassion for those less fortunate than she is and this is what lead her to help chidren with severe physical disabilities, the children who were dismissed and forgotten by a system. She wanted to give these children a chance. I believe the most profound thing she said in her memoir is near the end of her story." What Good is MOVE and all our efforts to help children with disabilities learn to sit,stand and walk, if we use it to push aside a childs dream, and in its stead, impose our on so-called discernment? Our business is to discover the dream in each child, and to believe in it until it becomes a reality" What more can be said? No ordinary move is no ordinary memoir. I highly recommend it to those who want to be moved by a book.

A Story of Determination and Leadership

This is a very gratifying momoir of Linda Bidabe, an educator for children with severe disabilities and her corageous strive to implement a curriculum. She had me hooked at page one! Linda Bidabe was born a leader. She is a very determined individual and demonstrates this throughout her memoir. She has the strength to overcome obstacles during her life; obstacles I hope I never face. While reading this book, I developed a high level of respect and admiration for this woman. She not only gives credit for her accomplishments, but she does not hesistate to mention how she was not able to succeed with every student. She demonstrates skills of a servant leader as she willingly sets aside her aspirations to ensure that others fulfill their dreams. Linda finds great joy out of helping others reach their goals, a virtue which deserves applauding. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written autobiography and who is ready to be inspired.