I’M JUST HEIDI:
Living to the full with Down’s Syndrome
By Heidi & James Carter with
Steve & Liz Crowter
Day One. 192 pages. £8
ISBN 978 1 846 257 254
Heidi Carter née Crowter is a disability-rights campaigner. She also has Down’s Syndrome and loves Jesus. This book tells her story.
It is really two books in one. The first half is by Heidi’s parents (first published as Surprise Package in 2003 and updated in 2008). They movingly describe the shock of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome and how God and their church helped them through.
Heidi had many serious health conditions in addition to Down’s, but God miraculously preserved her life on more than one occasion – true answers to prayer. Both parents give their individual perspectives and are very honest about their thoughts and feelings. This section would be very helpful for any parent in a similar situation, as well as giving pointers to those wanting to offer help.
The parents’ narrative ends as Heidi is approaching adulthood. The answer to the question of what happens next is given by Heidi herself in a clear change of style! Heidi is living life to the full and loving it. She covers her work in a hair salon, her family, and her testimony of coming to faith in Jesus. We are treated to her favourite Bible passages and hymns (including one of her own). The high point is her marriage to James in 2020, an inspirational ray of light in a dark year. James then tells his story. When he met Heidi, it was love at first sight. Steve agreed to James’ request for Heidi’s hand at the fourth attempt! Who could think that people with Down’s can’t live fulfilling lives after reading this.
And that is the message of the book, expressed in campaigning for disability rights. Victories include the Down Syndrome Act 2022. There have also been setbacks such as when the High Court ruled that abortion up to term is legal for disabled babies. But the fight goes on and this book (and its authors) will surely contribute to it.
