building puzzles under water: an autism story
By Carrie P. Holzer
“He will likely never speak.”
Sometimes, being told that you can’t do something lights a fire inside of you so fierce that you have no choice but to succeed … and then blow all the doubts out of the water.
In Building Puzzles Under Water, Carrie P. Holzer tells the story of her son Cam’s diagnosis of autism and the following decade of his progress.
This book details the journey that her family took, the ups and downs, and the multiple successes they had with giving Cam the life he deserves, one where he gets to express himself and have friends, things that we all take for granted that were pieces the family wasn’t sure Cam would ever discover.
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Carrie
Holzer
What business does a mother of two with a background in real estate and commercial lending have writing a book about autism?
This is a question I have asked myself many times over. But after eleven years of being told, at every turn, to share Cam’s story, I've made it my business.
This book is an open, honest and at times humorous look at the highs and lows of life with autism. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“I felt as though I was sitting just outside of myself watching another family receive and process this news: empathetic and wondering where they go from here?
This family, my family.”
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“Anytime Gabby would teach Cam something new, she had a huge advantage over the adults: she never considered the idea that he couldn’t achieve something. There was no fear or worry for her, just a big sister teaching her little brother.”
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I got him buckled into the car and he reached up and offered me a high five “We did it!” he shouted. Yes, we did kiddo. I started to tear up and suggested we get a cake to celebrate. My little man replied, “I prefer doughnuts.”
praise for the book
Cam teaches us the beauty in being comfortable with who we
are just the way we are no matter where we are. You will laugh. You will cry. But you will NEVER put
your head on your pillow at night without a smile on your face!
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Genie DiChiazzo
Parent of special needs
Building Puzzles Under Water introduces a bold and humorous voice to the autism conversation. Carrie Holzer's vulnerable telling of her son's story hooked me from the very start. I felt fully invested by the time Cam first climbed onto a school bus, and more so with each milestone.
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Amy Camp
Author, "Deciding on Trails"
This is such a genuine and inspirational story
about life with kiddos on the spectrum, and I also find reassuring as a parent knowing there is always hope and opportunity. This is a
great read for autism parents and any parent who wants a fuller perspective on life.
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Jeff Weinstein
Parent of special needs
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Cam
Holzer
From atypical to pretty damn typical, Cam has plenty of teenaged attributes from playing video games to telling fart jokes. But he also loves origami, has a great singing voice, and is a fantasic comic strip writer and illustrator.
And he still prefers doughnuts to cake.
chevret bakery
puzzlesunderwater@gmail.com
Our thoughts and feelings flow like a river. If we try to stop the flow of a river, we will meet the resistance of the water. It is better to flow with it, and then we may be able to guide it in ways we want it to go.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
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