Schuyler's Monster A Father's Journey with His Wordless Daughter [Paperback]

When Schuyler Rummel-Hudson was eighteen months old, a question about her lack of speech by her pediatrician set in motion a journey that continues today. When she was diagnosed with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (an extremely rare neurological disorder), her parents were given a name for the monster that had been stalking them from doctor to doctor, and from despair to hope, and back again.

Once they knew why Schuyler couldn't speak, they needed to determine how to help her learn. They took on educators and society to give their beautiful daughter a voice, and in the process learned a thing or two about fearlessness, tenacity, and joy.

More than a memoir of a parent dealing with his child's disability, Schuyler's Monster is a tale of a little girl who silently teaches a man filled with self-doubt how to be the father she needs.

In the central metaphor of the book, the author refers to Schyuler's condition, polymicrogyria, as a monster to be fought. Why is this an appropriate metaphor? What other metaphors might the author have chosen?

According to the author, Schuyler also has an affinity for monsters as her friends and allies. What does this tell you about Schuyler?

The author talks about language of special-needs parenting as being sugar-coated terminology that functions as a distraction and a false comfort. He prefers to refer to Schuyler as broken. Why does he use this term? Do you agree or disagree with his decision?

The story is broken into three acts, each with an underlying stylistic difference. What are those differences, and what do you think is the rationale behind this structure?

Some have read Schuyler's Monster as a prodigal son returns exploration of faith, and others have read it as a progression through different degrees of skepticism. What do you think about the author's evolving relationship with God? What role do you think God plays in Schuyler's story?

The author talks about tl“u