Book description
Special educator Joanne De Simone bears all in this raw and transformative memoir that captures how she used lessons of modern dance in her journey through motherhood with two children with disabilities. When the pediatrician places the measuring tape around her infant's head and notes, "His head is a little small," Joanne knows that motherhood won't be as she had dreamt. Even as a special educator, Joanne isn't prepared to raise a child with a life-limiting brain malformation. Nor is she ready for the compounded pain and alienation that comes when her second son is diagnosed with autism. But the struggle to balance her sons' medical and educational challenges drives Joanne to reconnect with the lessons she learned as a modern dancer--and there she finds enlightenment. Inspired by her experience performing José Limón's There Is a Time, based on Ecclesiastes 3, each chapter of Fall and Recovery details a dance lesson and the dichotomy of parenting children with disabilities. Over time, Joanne discovers that surviving motherhood isn't a matter of strength, bravery, or faith. It's a matter of linking your past experiences and creating your own purpose. It's realizing that we live simultaneously in love and grief. In the end, dance teaches Joanne not only how to move freely through pain but also how to fall and recover.
About the Author
Joanne De Simone is a graduate of Hunter College with degrees in dance and special education. After dancing professionally with companies including José Limón and Dianne McIntyre, she dedicated her life to teaching children with disabilities and supporting their families. Currently, Joanne is a special education advocate for the Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Exceptional Parent Magazine, and the Rumpus, and she is a contributing author to Barriers and Belonging: Personal Narratives of Disability. Joanne lives in West Orange, New Jersey, with her husband and sons.
Centurion Sherman
💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Venom Petunia
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! 📱🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Sugar Hiccup
ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. 💡 Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder – thank you, this app! 📱📖 👀📚 Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed – bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! 😴🎧 Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖
Sepukku
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Cowboy Booter
The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Loot
This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover.
Osprey
The app's seamless integration with Apple Watch makes it my perfect workout companion. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Tweety Bun Bun
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life.
Tangerine
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks.
Dream Killer
Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Hemingway Mirmillone
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
Girl Brownie
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Sleek Zelda
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Pexxious
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle – this app's design is a win. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content.
Steel Ginger
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
Lady Petal
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. 🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Ladybird
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. 🎧 Audiobooks anywhere, anytime – this app's convenience is unbeatable! 🌟📚
Spunky Chick
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content.
Grave Scuttlebutt
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. 💪 Crushing workouts while devouring books – this app makes fitness fun and educational! 🏋️♀️🎉 Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it! I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
FlyGuardX
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience