Andre GovierLiving Like Livvy: A Mother's Story About the Girl Who Refused to be Defined by Rett Syndrome

I bought this book because I had the honor of spending 13 yrs working as a home health nurse and forming a close friendship with a young lady who had Rett Syndrome. She passed away over 4 years ago however I am active in advocating and raising awareness for Rett Syndrome families in my local area. As I read this book I noted so many similarities between Livvy and my friend Kim, it brought a flood of emotions and memories.Interestingly, I also related to Sara (Livvy’s mom) in the book as she very honestly tells her story. Even though my own children do not have special needs I think all mothers will connect to Sara’s mission to find answers, her feelings of fear & helplessness, and her devotion not just to Livvy but her entire family. As a reader you are put in her shoes and walk thru her journey and the overwhelming challenges of being a special needs parent. Sara’s bravery in telling her story in such an honest and vulnerable way is both refreshing and humbling. Sara’s admissions of feeling isolated, alone and overwhelmed reflect the experiences of all moms and especially special needs parents.My favorite part of this book is that Livvy’s spark & personality really shine thru. You get to experience how despite being non-verbal she has a lot to say. Her tenacity and mischievous antics will be sure to make you laugh! These retellings really made me happy and nostalgic. It seems Livvy and my friend Kimmy had more than Rett Syndrome in common; they both had a wicked sense of humor! It is that sense of humor and ability to find a reason to smile (a cute doctor perhaps) despite being very ill or in great pain that ironically provides lightness and comfort to those caring for them. Livvy had Rett Syndrome but she refused to let it define who she was and what she could do.The themes and message of this book are that despite whatever difficulties we encounter in our lives, whatever limitations we THINK we have, with determination and a sense of humor we are capable of more than we know. To appreciate the small things and live life to the full. And that even those without a voice, or perhaps ESPECIALLY those without a voice can inspire others and teach them what life is really all about.I sincerely hope you give this book a read, learn a little about Rett Syndrome and especially that it inspires you to Live Like Livvy.

This book is a must read! I just finished reading this book last night. What is there to say? If you have a child with Rett Syndrome (as I do) or not, this is a must read! I love and hate at the same time that I understand and feel every emotional described in this book. But in the end, there are other families out there that "get it" and that in and of itself is amazing. Please read this book and learn what our lives are truly like in the world of Rett Syndrome. If only the world knew the struggles....maybe it would encourage people to become more tolerant, understanding and humble. I highly recommend this book especially to educators, therapists, friends, family and to anyone who knows of a family that has a child with Rett Syndrome, or if you would like to learn more about it. This story is told from a mothers perspective and I felt and understood every single emotion she hit on!

This book is the story of a beautiful and heartbreaking journey of a mother with a daughter with Rett Syndrome. It will serve to raise awareness of this disease while raising funds, and is well worth the purchase.

I liked how straight forward and honestly this story was shared. I read the whole book in one sitting and felt I had gone on an inspiring journey. I would recommend it to anyone who has been in her shoes, it felt like walking hand in hand with her. So glad she shared her journey, and I am still smiling thinking of Livvy.

As a parent of a child with Rett syndrome, this was a difficult book to read. So many similarities! A great reminder though, to live each day with gratitude and love because we never know what the next day will bring. A big thank you to Sara for willing to be share there story. Here's to hoping that someday there will be #nomoreemptyarms from this devastating disease!

This book was written by a Rett mom, who did a great job sharing her and her daughter's story and journey through living with Rett Syndrome. My daughter also has Rett Syndrome, which is what inspired me to buy this book. A job well done to the mother of beautiful Livvy.

Keep the tissues close. This book gives a glimpse into the livesof a family with a child diagnosed with a rare condition. It shows the impact for the whole family. It shows that we need to make the most of our lives and not dwelling on the things we don't have.

pretty strongly written book with some hard truths about life but some even better outlooks on how positive life can be if you just try to find a way to do it

A very touching story of the precious life of Livvy, a girl born with the rare disability Rett Syndrome.Written in the words of her mother Sara who watched her daughter regress from a young age, slowly losing the skills she had learnt, Livvy lived a short but loving life with her parents and 3 sisters before cruelly being snatched from life by this unforgiving condition.As a parent of a Rett child this book was a must read, a difficult read yet one that I am glad to have read, it has reminded me that time spent with my own daughter is extremely precious and that should the unthinkable become a reality, that life can be lived positively once more as is Sara's approach to life with her loving familyA very well written book by Andre Govier

I used to look after a little girl when she was at Nursery who has Rett Syndrome. She was with us before her diagnosis; I will never forget the anguish caused to her family by her diagnosis.Like many people, I had never heard of Rett Syndrome. I went on line and found some information about it, but not a lot. Then I tried to find a book about it to read up on it so I knew how best to support this little girl at Nursery. All I could find were various scientific tombs, mostly quite out of date and not easy to get your head round.Now, finally Andre Govier has written a book that really explains what Rett Syndrome is all about and how it affects girls. He does this by brilliantly putting into words the heart breaking story of a mother who very sadly loses her daughter to Rett Syndrome.This book will make you cry (have plenty tissues to hand) but it will also make you laugh. As an early years childcare practitioner who now specialises in additional support needs one to one work, I truly believe that everyone training in early years education as well as everyone training in paediatric medicine should read this book as a matter of course.I finished reading this book the morning of running the half marathon in Manchester as part of the Reverse Rett team - it totally inspired me and gave me even more determination to make it to the finish line.

Heartbreaking, yet so inspirational. I couldn’t put this book down, the love for Livvy shines through & will no doubt help so many other families facing Rett Syndrome. I knew this book would make me cry, I didn’t expect to laugh aswell. Livvy was obviously a very special young lady with an amazing, brave & determined family.

Could not put this book down. Such an incredible story of a family’s love and dedication to such a brave little girl. It was such an emotional rollercoaster reading this but having a daughter with Rett syndrome it was a story I can relate to. A brilliant way to raise money and awareness for Rett! Thank you sara for sharing your journey with us.

Heartwarming and inspirational. A book about such a difficult time in a family's life, yet it just screams out love, resilience and strength. Written in a very "easy to read" style, yet covering events and thoughts that really aren't easy reading, to be honest. A really enjoyable book - though in a way it feels wrong to say that, bearing in mind the subject matter. Well worth read, especially as the proceeds go towards helping to find a cure for the awful syndrome that Livvy had.