“Every now and then I see in the newspapers the news of a man or woman who has put to death a mentally defective child. My heart goes out to such a person. I understand the love and desperation that led to this act." Pearl Buck understood that act, because her daughter Carol was mentally retarded. She shares her experiences of raising a child who would never grow up to be self-sufficient. Pearl shares her thoughts and feelings throughout the diagnostic process in a time when little was known about mental disabilities. She traveled from China to America to seek medical care for her daughter only to receive the news that Carol would never be a "normal" child. Doctors could not help this family. Carol realized that she had to live her life with her daughter. Carol, who found insurmountable joy in music, would never know she was different from other children. Pearl found comfort in the fact that the weight and stress of life would never fall on her daughter. The next decision that came to Pearl was whether she should place her daughter in a home. Pearl was afraid that she would die, so who would take care of Carol. A girl told Pearl that Carol would no longer be invited to her parties and Pearl realized that Carol should be someone who... middle of paper... copes and I feel like understanding disabilities will only make me a teacher stronger .I have had some experience with mental retardation since my uncle was. He died at the age of 43 when I was only 7 years old. I remember where he lived and how he behaved. My Uncle Dan lived in an assisted living home. He had his own apartment in a complex of other people with disabilities. Nurses would come and help him live as normally as possible. Living in this house, he was able to make friends and even have the opportunity to have a relationship. I know my dad is very grateful that my uncle gets to have those experiences. I always saw it as a child, like me. I never really understood why, but I thought it was great. He had the best toys and was fun to be around. I knew it was different, but until now I didn't realize the struggle my father's family must have gone through.