"e;Only the God Knows"e; -Sally Ann Slivinski

Only the God Knows is a labor of profound love. Despite what appeared to be an unnecessary burden to many outsiders, caring for Sally provided our family with insight, compassion, and a deep trust in God. In a remarkable parallel to Flowers for Algernon's main character, Charlie Gordon, Sally defied the predictions of her medical staff by overcoming the debilitation of a genetic disorder and transforming from complete dependence as a child to a productive member of society. Like Charlie, Sally's life ended tragically-hers the result of a traumatic head injury that occurred during her early adolescence. In addition to a biographical lens that peers deeply into the life of an individual with multiple handicaps, Only the God Knows provides a historical handbook that critically evaluates the ongoing development of the various agencies involved in supporting our nation's disabled population. Only the God Knows is intended to provide struggling families, experiencing frustrations similar to ours, with knowledge, awareness, and determination in order to independently research and seek the appropriate services that extend beyond the well-intended advice of professionals in the field.