Running is a way of life for the Schneider family, but not in the same way as it is for most runners. Twin brothers Alex and Jamie Schneider are severely autistic-they are nonverbal and when anxiety takes over, they bite themselves or slam their feet into the hard floor. They cannot tell their mother Robyn if they are hurt or hungry, and they can never be left alone. Yet they have run almost 150 races, including six marathons. The boys' parents have also turned to running to battle health issues: father Allan successfully manages his symptoms of multiple sclerosis with vitamins and miles and miles of jogging on the trails near their Long Island home, while mother Robyn, who, while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer six years ago, laced up her own running shoes for the first time and headed out the door, determined to run her way to recovery. In Silent Running, Robyn Schneider shares her family's incredible story of triumph in the face of enormous hurdles and of the shared passion, which has fueled their fight. It is a story of hope and of never giving up.
"Silent Running is an absolute must-read for anyone who has ever heard the word 'autism.' Robyn Schneider offers up an honest and moving portrait of how, over time and with significant effort, the true potential that lies within each of us, independent of a diagnostic label, can be discovered and developed beyond most people's expectations. There are no quick fixes or miracle interventions here. Instead what we find is how, with dedication and patience, individuals with autism and their families can begin to change the misperceptions of those around them and, in so doing, discover included lives of competence, dignity, quality and, maybe, even some medals along the way."
Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D., Chairman, Scientific Council, Organization for Autism Research
