Amazon reviews for the book this week

Reviews for "A child lost in flight" on Amazon

Parents everywhere - read this, September 14, 2012
By Miss Lavelle

This review is from: A Child Lost in Flight : Moving on after tragedy on Flight 229 (Kindle Edition)
An explicit account of a real situation, showing the clear failings of procedures from airline staff and authorities during an emergency situation. The delays this couple experienced with so many people around them, who, with better training, could have helped save this baby, is heartbreaking to read.

A truly terrible situation to be in and the `after-care' when the plane had landed is nothing short of shocking.

The author is working through his grief, without the answers he needs to do this. I must say, the man should be honoured to actually write all this down for us to read.

All the way through the book I've thought "You need a lawyer - no matter how long it takes, how much it costs - you need a lawyer". But the author doesn't have the financial back-up for that or the energy to see this through a long process. Someone has to pay for the delays, inexperienced staff and shocking wait for oxygen. And to add into it all, for staff to then leave the situation for landing protocall and not continue and try to save a human life. Where's the human touch in that? I'm outraged .........

This couple need help and someone out there can help to find a way for this couple to seek proper answers and closure.
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From Tradgedy to Acceptance, September 13, 2012
By Joan C. Curtis "Total Communications Coach" (Athens, GA USA)
This review is from: A Child Lost in Flight : Moving on after tragedy on Flight 229 (Kindle Edition)
This heart-wrenching story describes every parent's nightmare. I have a close friend experiencing her first baby's birth. She's a native Italian who wants to go to Italy with the baby a few months after the child's birth. After reading this, I'm inclined to discourage her.

Perhaps the airlines are not prepared for infant travel. Clearly something terrible happened--whether it was the lack of oxygen or the sudden decrease in cabin pressure that infants cannot tolerate. Parents need to be aware of the dangers and the risk.

The author's account is clear and shows his shock and anger. Even though, he managed to go through all the stages of grief and finally reached the stage of "acceptance." He described the events in a way to help readers understand the torment he and his family endured without painting painful pictures. The raw events were painful enough.

Every parent, who is considering taking his or her infant on a long flight, need to read this account. It is a quick read and full of information that may save a child's life.

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The Most Horrible Tragedy of All!, September 13, 2012
By Sydney Johnston (Atlanta, GA)
This review is from: A Child Lost in Flight : Moving on after tragedy on Flight 229 (Kindle Edition)
Honestly, this was a terrible book to read. Every parent's worst nightmare is something happening to their child. We often wonder what we could possibly do to cope - and pray that we never have to find out.

The author of "A Child Lost in Flight: Moving on after tragedy on Flight 229" was one of those who actually had to live with such terrible heartbreak when his child, Aditya, died on a plane as he and his wife watched. The shocking tragedy is made so much worse by the seeming lack of compassion of officials surrounding the parents. And, of course, the grieving father tries to make some sense of a senseless death from asphyxiation.

The real challenge is living day-to-day life without the baby and his grief can only be imagined. Surely the new child, Vijay, will help. Still, we never really get over such a loss.

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A quick and intense read, September 11, 2012
By  Scott Helvick
This review is from: A Child Lost in Flight : Moving on after tragedy on Flight 229 (Kindle Edition)
Mohan's story about the sudden loss of his infant son and subsequent grieving is an ugly-yet-beautiful look into one couple's tragic experience. Not only was I quickly drawn into their plight by Mohan's relatable writing style, but I also learned a bit about the culture and bureaucracy of India, a country which I personally have never visited.

The author does an excellent job of telling the story as it happened, of not concealing the details about the less-than-courteous treatment by others during the aftermath of his child's death, while still ending on a high note that doesn't leave the reader feeling like they've missed something. What exactly is that high note? You'll have to read the book to find out!

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A Story which Must Be Read!, September 11, 2012
By Luv2Read
This review is from: A Child Lost in Flight : Moving on after tragedy on Flight 229 (Kindle Edition)
A Child Lost in Flight is a heartbreaking story, especially for those of us out there who are parents, and who know what it is to love a child.

I consider this book a must-read - not only because of the nature of the story, but because it's obvious that the author's story needs to be told. There are some serious issues surrounding the level of treatment he and his wife received under the circumstances, surrounding the general lack of knowledge of the crew of the airplane and of the airline, and with the complete lack of respect for the grieving parents by several individuals of authority in the aftermath.

I congratulate the author. Instead of simply accepting the tragedy he has suffered, he is doing something about it. As painful as it must be for him to relive it, he's broadcasting his own tragedy so that future tragedies will not occur. And for those of us who are compassionate and capable of empathy, we owe it to him to be a part of his story, to help make his story more widely known.

In the news: A teen with Down syndrome was stopped from boarding plane

There was an incident pertaining to air-travel that caught the attention of the media and Digirati this week: A teen with Down syndrome was stopped from boarding plane. CNN also featured the incident in an extensive weekend program. Most of us were shocked to watch the CNN program and to read accounts of the incident on blogs.  

The teen, Bede Vanderhorst and his parents were asked to take another flight when the pilot decided the boy couldn’t be on his flight. Apparently they had a first-class ticket on the American Airline flight, and were re-booked on another United Airline flight.  The Vanderhorsts family was naturally upset and told the media they planned to file a discrimination lawsuit against the airline.

A few years ago, we lost our baby while on an international flight. I have tried to reflect on that incident and the stress parents traveling with children undergo. Here is my two cents on what I am reading and hearing. Most of us only have a second hand account of the incident from the media:

·         Parent’s account: 

• "We were not allowed on the plane because this man saw my son and made a decision," Joan Vanderhorst told the media "This little boy had a seat in first class and for some reason that wasn't acceptable." The Vanderhorst family says Bede was well-behaved, and they showed video of him sitting in the gate area playing with his hat. 
• American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said in a written statement: "The young man was agitated and running around the gate area prior to boarding," "Our pilot noticed and asked a customer service manager to talk to the family to see if we could help him calm down and get better acclimated to the situation. That effort was ultimately unsuccessful."

The fact remains, parents traveling with children undergo a lot more stress planning and preparing for a trip. To be asked to take another flight can throw spanner in the works of a well orchestrated plan, it can be excruciating to the family indeed.

The parents of Bede Vanderhorst had another reason to be upset. The father, Joan Vanderhorst, was quoted saying "I kept saying, 'Is this only because he has Down syndrome?'"  

With these few accounts alone, the media, bloggers and and digrati has proceeded to hold American Airline accountable.  I wonder if one ought to give a benefit of doubt to the airline, pilot and ground staff also?  Especially if other passengers and the ground staff had noticed something that would have alarmed them? Bottomline, in this particular situation, all the facts are not in front of us. It would be great if the media and digirati could unearth all the facts while also helping Vanderhorst family move on!

Other accounts

• Gawker: Family Kicked Off Flight After Teen With Down Syndrome Gets Labeled ‘Flight Risk’
• Laist: Airline Refuses to Board Teen With Down Syndrome, Labels Him 'flight risk'
• Consumerist:  Family Booted From Flight, Claim American Airlines Didn’t Want Son With Down Syndrome In First Class