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Lynne Podrat
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Listen To Me : How My Down Syndrome Brother Saved My Life Kindle Edition

by Lynne Podrat (Author), Andi Cuba (Illustrator), Sandi Wissinger (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
This memoir was written to honor my youngest brother’s influence over my life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, of living with a Down Syndrome sibling. It tells the story of the children of my family, despite our parents’ frailties, remaining committed to each other through life’s many changes and separations. Who I am today is directly related to who I needed to become.
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  1. Print length
    98 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 19, 2021
  4. File size
    2.3 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lynne Podrat graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and then spent fifteen years in the Fashion Industry as an Assistant Buyer and Department Manager with Bloomingdale's Department Store before returning to school to receive her educational degrees from Arcadia University and Gynedd Mercy. A retired educator and Administrator from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania School District, she taught English, literature, composition and history in elementary and secondary schools. She has secretly been a writer and poet her whole life, but has only recently chosen to share those talents with the world. Lynne now lives with her husband in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, spending summers hiking the Rockies in Vail, Colorado where her heart sings.* * *Listen To Me is Lynne's first book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09C42P3ZC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lynne Podrat (August 19, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 19, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 98 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

About the author

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Lynne Podrat

Lynne Podrat

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Lynne Podrat graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and then spent fifteen years in the Fashion Industry as an Assistant Buyer and Department Manager with Bloomingdales Department Store before returning to school to receive her educational degrees from Arcadia University and Gynedd Mercy. A retired educator and Administrator from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania School District, she taught English, literature, composition and history in elementary and secondary schools. She has secretly been a writer and poet her whole life, but has only recently chosen to share those talents with the world. Lynne now lives with her husband in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, spending winters dragon boating and summers hiking the Rockies in Vail, Colorado where her heart sings.

Lynne is n the proud recipient a Gold award for both books, Gold from the National Association of NonFiction Authors for Listen to Me and Gold from Literary Titans for My Sister Want an Elephant

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
25 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book heartwarming and inspirational, with one review describing it as an absorbing read about family love. The writing receives positive feedback for being well-crafted, and customers appreciate the respectful tone throughout the book.

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11 customers mention "Heartwarming story"11 positive0 negative

Customers find this book heartwarming and inspirational, describing it as a touching and emotional story. One customer notes it is an absorbing read about family love, while another describes it as a journey of a lifetime of love.

"...This is a beautiful, touching story how a young girl saved her Down syndrome brother, whom she loved at first sight, from a life of being placed in..." Read more

"...pattern of choosing the virtuous path has led to an unbreakable bond of loyalty amongst her extended family and closest friends...." Read more

"...are revealed in the story of an innocent boy who grew to be warm, loving, fun, easily pleased, and extroverted to the point of being a valued..." Read more

"...So many lessons to be learned. Everyone should take time to read this insightful and most-inspirational story. Well Done!" Read more

3 customers mention "Respect"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the respectful relationship between the siblings in the book.

"...sister and brother to be a touching, loving, trusting and mutual respect for each other.This book was beautifully written by Lynne Podrat...." Read more

"...It's the journey of a lifetime of love and respect for one another, and how the author gleaned as much from her brother as he did from her.,..." Read more

"A beautiful tribute to the most important aspects of life- Love, Respect, Kindness and Devotion...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...I only hope this is not the last we hear from this talented author. , and hope there are many more to come. Cindy Freifeld" Read more

"...Well Done!" Read more

"A very moving and well written account of a life well lived and the impact it had on others." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Cindy Freifeld
    5.0 out of 5 stars Touching and loving story of the love between a brother and sister
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Listen to Me How my Down Syndrome Brother Saved My Life. This is a beautiful, touching story how a young girl saved her Down syndrome brother, whom she loved at first sight, from a life of being placed in an institution to having a very loving amazing life with people who were caring, supportive, and compassionate to his needs. I myself have been ignorant when I would see a person with Down Syndrome. I would feel sorry for them and think how hard their life must be for them and their family.The truth is they are all very special and deserve the best possible life. I found this relationship between sister and brother to be a touching, loving, trusting and mutual respect for each other.This book was beautifully written by Lynne Podrat. I only hope this is not the last we hear from this talented author. , and hope there are many more to come. Cindy Freifeld
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  • Bill Tate
    5.0 out of 5 stars Belief in oneself and unconditional love
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    There are many lessons to be learned from this memoir by Lynne Podrat. Early in her story she demonstrates the importance of sticking to one’s convictions, doing what one knows to be right. Throughout her childhood, Lynne shows her willingness to do this, often at the objection of parents and others in positions of authority. And over the course of her lifetime, this consistent pattern of choosing the virtuous path has led to an unbreakable bond of loyalty amongst her extended family and closest friends. Central to her story is her unconditional love for her younger brother Bruce, who was born with Down syndrome. Her absolute commitment to his well-being is reciprocated by not only his love for her, but a love of life that enables him to flourish, to be the best he can be. As a result, the whole community of relatives, neighbors, and caregivers are inspired to become better versions of themselves. Readers of “Listen to Me” will surely find themselves examining their own lives, their relations with those they cherish, and perhaps take steps to strengthen those relationships. Many worthwhile lessons to be learned from Lynne’s story, with the power of belief in oneself and unconditional love being foremost.
    One person found this helpful
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  • luvtoread
    5.0 out of 5 stars “Listen to me!”
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    After reading this story, you will never again hear that phrase without thinking of Brucie, a child born with Down Syndrome. Although his parents were obviously overwhelmed at the idea of raising this handicapped child and chose to institutionalize him, he was ‘saved’ as a member of his family by his older siblings. This book is the tale of his life and was written by his sister, who insisted at a young age that Brucie mattered.
    Her devotion to him and the bonding she encouraged within his extended family are revealed in the story of an innocent boy who grew to be warm, loving, fun, easily pleased, and extroverted to the point of being a valued friend to everyone he met. His later caregivers loved him and were devoted to both him and his family. Those warm relationships continue to this day.
    Many people are still uncomfortable with those that are different from them. This story leaves us with the knowledge that those who are ‘different’ can enrich our lives in so many ways, and that caring, on so many levels, makes the world a better place. I had tears in my eyes as I closed the book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • LLF
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Inspirational
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    At times heart-wrenching, always heart-warming. Lynne Podrat’s brutally honest memoir, Listen to Me: How My Down Syndrome Brother Saved My Life is a deeply personal account of a family whose guilt and fear is washed away by the endless love and total selflessness of a child with down syndrome. So many lessons to be learned. Everyone should take time to read this insightful and most-inspirational story. Well Done!
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  • Bob Seay
    5.0 out of 5 stars "How could God, my God, allow this to happen to children?"
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Full disclosure: I have a younger brother who is now in his mid-forties who is developmentally delayed and has other problems. While he does not have Down's syndrome, his story is much like the story described in this book. It was impossible for me to read this book and not compare it to my own experiences of having a brother with special needs.

    Having said that... "Listen to Me: How My Down Syndrome Brother Saved My Life" asks one simple question. "How could God allow this to happen to children?" "This", of course, is Down Syndrome, Bruce's first and most obvious problem, along with kidney disease and some other complications. In reality, the physical and mental problems of Down's are only the beginning. Author Lynne Podrat addresses the emotional toll that a child with special needs takes on a family. She talks about the struggles of parents as they come to grips with not having a "perfect" child and how that affects the parents' relationship not only with that child but with all the children in the family. Podrat also talks extensively about how having an adult sibling with special needs affects families and personal lives.

    Most importantly, Podrat gives a realistic view of what life is like for these families. This is not a "feel good story" about planning to go to Venice but ending up in Holland or whatever consoluation prize families are supposed to take from experiences like this. (I always hated those kinds of stories.) This is real life. This is about learning to accept even when you don't understand.

    It's not a spoiler alert (because it's in the title) to say that Podrat believes that her brother saved her life. We know that before we even open the book. The story is how Bruce (later called Brucie) did it, what Ms. Podrat learned from this experience, and the broader implications for her family, her career, and her entire life. Despite all of this, there is hope. There is love.

    Recommended for anyone who has ever asked themselves why bad things happen to good or even innocent people.
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  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absorbing read about family love
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Listen to Me details the relationship of a sister and her brother who had Down Syndrome and their romp through life. It's the journey of a lifetime of love and respect for one another, and how the author gleaned as much from her brother as he did from her., maybe more. Brucie was a great guy; funny, loving, and always able to make his sister smile. I highly recommend this book.
    One person found this helpful
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