Shape of the Eye (Estreich) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
1. Is the book mainly about George, or Laura? How does George change, during the book? How does Laura?

2. What did you know about Down syndrome before reading the book? What did you learn?

3. The Shape of the Eye uses medical terminology, particularly in the first half of the book. Why do you think this is?

4. The Shape of the Eye opens in a doctor’s office, and has numerous encounters in hospitals and elsewhere. Some of these are successful, and some less so. In your personal experience, when is medicine most effective, and when it is not? What are the characteristics of good communication between patient, doctor, and caregiver?

5. Are people with Down syndrome visible in your community? How would you describe your community’s attitude towards people with disabilities in general? Have you seen significant change in those attitudes?

6. The author refers to Down syndrome as “Laura’s way of being human.” Do you see Down syndrome this way, or as a medical condition primarily, or as something else altogether?
(Questions from the author's website.)

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