Heaven's Very Special Child & the Family

About the Book

Heaven´s Very Special Child & The Family is a most needed book concerning the purpose of God in allowing a child who is retarded or physically disabled to be born. From personal experiences by the author, a widow of a pastor, and one of their 5 children, with Down Snydrome (Ruth lived 43 years), Edna recounts the blessings, amid many trying times.

Besides her personal story, in this book are many other stories from others that touch the hearts of readers. In Part 2 of the book are original poems and songs all related to the care and inspiration given to parents and other caregivers of children who are either physically disabled or mentally retarded.

And, from a religious angle, the mention of prayers, unspoken by the child are emphasized. There is a resource section also, where readers can receive further information about parenting a disabled child, and the obvious joys and benefits to themselves and to society. The poem ´Heaven´s Very Special Child´ was read and acknowledged by the late President Kennedy on the day of his assassination. As we all know, his sister was mentally retarded.

The actual inspiration for the poem was through Henry Viscardi´s conversation with his mother. Henry was born without legs and became a famous author and he started a school for disabled children in New York.

For ordering and with personal communication with its author, you can write to her at the following address:

EDNA MASSIMILLA
2815 Byberry Rd.Suite 120,
Hatboro, PA 19040

About the Author

For someone whose poetry and gospel music are widely published, Edna Massimilla surely is surprisingly modest. “I feel like I have gifts of writing, and I am going to use it for our Lord,” she says. One of her poems, “Heaven’s Very Special Child,” honors a daughter, born with Down Syndrome, now in Heaven. It touched a poignant chord to many. She is the widow of Rev. John A. Massimilla. They served as the chaplains at Delaware’s Institution for Retarded Children. Edna resides in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Whether it is through a poem, a song or a Bible placed in someone’s hand, Mrs. Massimilla says she will continue to share her poetry freely whenever it is requested. She is a volunteer for American Bible Society, and member of Birch Society of the Salvation Army; also a writer for Salesian Mission Inspiration Books. She has received ten annual awards for music from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) of which she is a member. A collection of original poems adapted to music is entitled SOUNDS OF AMAZING GRACE Published and Released by This Is Our Life Publication P.O. Box 21, Hatboro, PA 19040