Where the Road Leads

From the ridiculous to the sublime – this is the story of Jean Calder, an Australian physical education teacher specialising in children with disabilities, who has worked with the Palestinian people in Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine, and will probably die there – she’s in her seventies. She adopted three children with disabilities, and has supported the care of thousands of others. At the same time, she’s promoted understanding of disability through inclusive education, training of workers, and training of parents. The story covers her life, as well as what has happened in Palestine, especially in the last few years – it finishes in 2006. It’s a straightforward read, and a fascinating one, about someone living in extraordinary circumstances and simply focusing on the plight of others, rather than worrying about herself – there’s little mention of any personal discomfort in the face of the everyday inconveniences of living in developing countries – no, it’s all about the children. An amazing story, and definitely highlighting some of the more ridiculous non-fiction I’ve read below.