Matthew Hobson’s Book “I’m So Glad You Found Me in Here”
“When I had my book published, I only hoped that I could at least help one person have the opportunity to be “found.” Understandably, I hoped it would save a person such as myself. Locked in my body for years, I had no way to communicate that I had more intelligence than anyone suspected. I was blessed to meet Laura Poorman who saved my life. Getting my chance to “speak” by typing changed my life into being able to do more than I had hoped. The book has changed many others’ lives as well. Helping others who are nonverbal with autism was the purpose of writing my story. I hope it might continue to help others “speak” by typing. – Matthew Hobson 6/14/13
Promotional sections from book:
“Having no way to communicate is like being trapped under a concrete slab; silence is torture for those who can think but can’t speak. Not speaking usually means that a person is dumb and mute. Facilitated typing put an end to that. Individuals who were thought to be retarded have been found to have intelligence no one suspected. It seems too good to be true. Sometimes when people cannot explain something, they become doubtful….
Before I learned to use facilitated communication, I had thought that special education was going to be my future, and that seemed like the worst fate in the world to me. Even my own family did not know I was “in there.” I had often wondered if the door was always going to be shut because there was no way to let people actually understand what I knew.
I think the greatest thing that I can do with my life is to help parents see that you have to have faith that God will help you do your best to support your child. I know that parents sometimes have fears about their disabled child. They do not want people making comment, so they try protecting them by keeping them home. I used to think I was not as good as normal people, but now I know I am. I just am different. I have some purpose. God has a reason for my life.”
Matt’s book can be purchased through Hobsonbooks.com or Amazon.com.
It can be purchased at a lower price through mdhobson@indy.rr.com
From Amazon.com:
“
Thank you to the entire Hobson family for sharing such an amazing story and for giving hope to many who thought there was none.”
Gayle Bedwell | 5 reviewers made a similar statement
“I am certain it will change many lives!”
teacher09 | 4 reviewers made a similar statement
“ Buy this book, read it, and be INSPIRED.”
Robin Dotlich | 1 reviewer made a similar statement
Entire Reviews from Amazon:
Shannon Kegley Wood – See all my reviews
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
“I’m So Glad You Found Me in Here” is the perfect title for Matt and Nancy Hobson’s personal account of their family’s frustrations, challenges, and thoughts about Matt’s non-verbal autism. This book chronicles honestly the grappling that Matt and his family have had with communicating and dealing with his autism, not only in his daily life, but also in his educational pursuits. Matthew recently graduated from college at IUPUI in Indianapolis, truly a crowning achievement and a milestone in his educational journey. This is an inspiring book; one for anyone’s general knowledge in understanding non-verbal autism, and a book that would be very appropriate for a college class studying disabilities. At the end, in reading this book, the reader will agree that this whole family, their facilitators, and many of his teachers should be commended for their persistence and familial love and caring in trying to help Matt express himself and achieve his dreams. This book reveals a truly remarkable young man. A good read!
5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed our lives!, August 8, 2011
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
WOW. What can I say? From the moment I picked up this book until the moment I had finished reading every page (which was a very short period of time!), I became so very inspired to look into facilitated communication for my daughter Lindsey. While I had vaguely heard about f/c years ago, all I had heard about it was fairly negative at best, or even dangerous at worst. The reading of this amazing first-hand documentary about how this mode of communication had dramatically changed Matthew’s life, and the lives of those around him started our journey. Since we live in the same town as Matthew, I have had a chance to meet many of those written about in the book, who love to share their joy for Matthew’s progress. They have also substantiated what has been written in the book. We have since become friends of Matthew and Ms. Poorman, and are DELIGHTED to share that Lindsey has now also been able to show us that there is SOOOO MUCH inside of her waiting to come out as well! If it weren’t for this book and for the amazingly humble and focused determination by Matthew, Nancy, Ms. Poorman, and Matthew’s college facilitator Carla, I doubt that we would have EVER discovered the depths of Lindsey’s potential! I am indebted to Matthew SO MUCH for telling his story. I hope and pray others will stop presuming incompetence of these amazing autistic individuals who happen to be nonverbal. Presume them to be COMPETENT unless otherwise proven not! It’s amazing what our kids can do if we and all the so-called “professionals” will just give them a chance! Buy this book, read it, and be INSPIRED. Who knows…you may be able to change a life…and it could also just be yours! Thank you Matthew, Nancy, Carla, and all who believed in Matthew! He is fulfilling his dream, and improving the lives of those around him!
5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put it down, November 16, 2010
By Changing to a healthier lifestyle (Wilmington, NC)
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
This is a wonderful book that you won’t be able to put down. The stories that Matt Hobson and Nancy Hobson share are unbelievable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the world of autism and the obstacles disabled children and their families face on a daily basis. It is a truly amazing story of how a family’s love and faith can make a huge difference. Matt’s insight to his life is so enlightening. Each page will keep you wanting more. It gave me a totally new perspective of children with autism and those who have learning disabilities. I hope you purchase this book as I loved it. Order an extra copy for a friend and share Matt’s life experience.
5.0 out of 5 stars Class Auxillary Textbook, August 26, 2011
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
I am a professor at Anderson University and I have used Matt and Nancy Hobson’s book, “I’m So Glad You Found Me in Here,” with my teacher education classes very successfully. Over the years, many students in my classes have had friends or family members who have had disabilities, but these students don’t really understand all the challenges that students with autism and their parents have daily. Matt and Nancy have shared many of their experiences in their daily lives and in the school setting, with Matt being non-verbal. As a parent of a child with severe developmental disabilities myself, I could relate with Matt and Nancy’s struggles with the school system in convincing them to support students with severe needs. Many times, the youngsters with disabilities are put together with other students with less severe disabilities, and somewhat overlooked. And, in the end, neither group gets its needs completely met. Because of finances, public schools tend to teach to the masses and will stonewall and say that they cannot provide certain things for these kiddos. This book explains from both the student’s side, and the parent’s side, how they coped with and convinced the educational system to get Matt’s needs met. Simply communicating with Matt was a daunting task that was finally mastered by trying, and being successful with, facilitation. Matt’s accomplishments were realized by being persistent, kind, and firmly convicted to being successful. This book describes quite a journey and Matt and his family are to be congratulated in telling his story so honestly. Matt is now a college graduate–quite a feat for student who is diagnosed as non-verbal and autistic. If it were not for facilitated communication, Matt’s intelligence never would have been discovered. His book creates much good, empathetic discussion in my classes. My students are inspired to be advocates for those with disabilities and realize that persistence and resolve are the keys to success. By reading this book, some of my future teachers, who thought they only wanted to work with students with mild disabilities, have suddenly become interested in broadening their perspectives to consider working with students with a wider range of disabilities.
5.0 out of 5 stars must-read!, August 7, 2011
By teacher09 –
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
This book is definitely a must-read for any parent of a child with a disability, teacher of students with disabilities, or anyone looking for a true story of what a little faith, hope, and love can do. People with autism and other disabilities can sometimes be a mystery, but Matthew has really opened a door to share his experiences, his thoughts, and his dreams. It is so eye-opening to see things from his perspective and realize that you truly cannot judge a book by its cover. Thank you, Nancy and Matthew, for sharing your journey with others. I am certain it will change many lives!
5.0 out of 5 stars A hopeful story for anyone with an open mind, February 14, 2013
By Erin Lynn
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
I met Matt during the summer of 2012 at Sonrise Camp (formerly known as Handycamp), which he mentioned in his book. Shortly after meeting him, I was made aware of how severe his disability was, but also that he could communicate with a facilitator. Matt’s book inspired me more than any other book I have ever read. It was really something special to get inside his creative mind and feel to some degree what he felt. Matt’s story is inspiring and God is good.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, April 27, 2012
This review is from: I’m so Glad You Found Me in Here (Paperback)
I found out about this book thru Matt’s father Mel. Mel always seemed tired and now we know why. Since sharing this book Mel has changed. He walks taller and is so full of pride by what Matt & Nancy have accomplished with this book.
I had never heard of a f/c until reading this book. Now I can’t wait to share this book with parents of autistic children that I know.
Thank you to the entire Hobson family for sharing such an amazing story and for giving hope to many who thought there was none.