University of Illinois at Chicago Far From the Tree Essay

• Consider the book in relation to topics in physical and/or mental health, rehabilitation and life with a disability that were discussed in class and in your readings. You can also draw on your personal knowledge and experience, but the paper should not be about you.
• Your paper should address specifically the book you have read. Use examples from the book that illustrate your thoughts. 

Here are some optional guiding questions. You can focus on any of these questions or develop your own analysis. Note: These are not questions to be answered, but suggested topics for discussion.

What did you think about the descriptions/discussions of disability and/or difference? Was it similar or different from the way you view these terms and ideas? In what way?

What did you think about the description of professionals/hospitals/rehabilitation and educational settings? Did you find models you would like to emulate? – Explain. Did you find characters you hope never to resemble? – Explain

What about the experiences described? How did you respond? What did you learn? Were there any surprises for you? 

How would the things you read compare to what you’ve seen and/or learned about? Was this a reality check? Utterly unbelievable? Too good to be true? Just as you expected? – elaborate on these.

Evaluate the book—but remember that this is not a literary criticism class. You may comment very shortly about the literary aspect, but your focus should be on the relationship between the book and you as a student of Rehabilitation Sciences and a person interested in topics of health, disability and rehabilitation.