Rex by Catherine Lewis

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Rex is an honest portrayal of a mother’s journey to accept, love and enjoy her son’s diagnosis of blindness and autism.  Catherine Lewis, author and mother, draws in the reader as she describes her life living with Rex, her son who is blind, autistic and yet a musical savant.

            Rex was born blind to a surprised mom and dad.  As he developed, doctor’s found a cyst on his brain that led to further complications.  Rex was also found to have autism.  Catherine graciously and humbly recounts these first years as she longs for her little boy to be “normal” and yet love this little one God had given her.  Providently, she was able to place Rex in a school for blind children at 6 months.  Through their help, Rex made incredible gains for a child in his situation.  It was during this time that Catherine’s marriage fell apart which is unfortunately very common for parents with children born with disabilities.  Ironically, it was Rex’s father that was instrumental in helping Rex discover his musical abilities.  For Christmas, Rex’s dad brought over a keyboard.  At age 3, Rex was playing Mozart.  Rex’s abilities on the keyboard surpassed all that anyone thought possible.  Rex was labeled as unable to “cross-over” his body (example – his right hand couldn’t go to his left side) and yet on the piano, he was able to cross-over.  In his house, Rex struggled to get around and yet on the piano, he was completely spatially aware.

            The book once again highlighted the miracles that God works in the human body.  Autism is a “disorder” that completely challenges what we think about how the brain works.  With Rex, he is able to create and perform music that is completely beyond his years.   

            One of my favorite aspects of the book was Catherine’s relationship with the Lord.  It was during the first few difficult years that she was encouraged by her brother to attend church.  God used Rex to bring Catherine to Himself.  This is not just a temporary turn to God as I see so often, but rather a genuine belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

            You’ll love reading Rex and you’ll see God’s hand in almost every page.

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