A constant idea that comes into Ian's head throughout the book, is that when he and Johanna are too old to take care of Walker, what will happen to him? They decided early on that they would not make Hayley, his devoted sister be his caretaker, so Ian searched for a home that Walker could stay in. He eventually found l'Arche. A community in which residents with disabilities can all live together in coherency, with trained staff to help them with their needs. Located in both France and Montreal, Ian visited both and was very satisfied with his findings. He found that the l'Arche homes he visited were a very peaceful place, with an air of happiness he questioned right away, wondering if they were "Had they been smoking kindness?" (Page 197)
Despite having a waiting list, he knew that ultimately he would like for Walker to live in a place like the ones he visited. Free of judgement and fear, letting those who are unable feel like they are not different. That they are the population, and the effects of society's presumptions are nullified. The following quote shows how Ian observed the staff, and how he felt it was a great environment: "No one at l'Arche talked about integration, the way the staff sometimes do at conventional homes for the disabled: this community existed for the disabled and made no pretense that residents eventually would be part of the "normal" community. People like me were outsiders here. There was a routine, a structure, a community of individuals, and their lives counted for what they were, no added value required." (Page 199)
After reading The Boy in the Moon, I really learned a lot about living with a person with a disability. With the given perspective of the parent of a one, you can really see all the procedures they go through, and the difficulty they face for every day tasks. Even more so, all the specialty doctors and scientists that Ian had to see really stacked up, and reflected on what a toll it took on his and Johanna's life. After reading the memoir, I've started to realize how really fortunate we are. A lot of time we are reminded by media outlets about how fortunate we are, in terms of wealth; but beyond this, how lucky we are to be functioning healthily and happily. This book has also made me realize how much work and effort parents have put into their children's lives. Although I have not needed as much as Walker has, I know that my parents are very good to me, and would go to lengths like Johanna and Ian if I ever needed it.
If given the opportunity to interview Ian Brown, these are three questions that I would ask him
1. While reading The Boy in the Moon, I came to see there was a lot of hard truths and cynicism used in your style of writing. Would you say that this book was a way of releasing tension and emotions about topics you couldn't previously address?
2. It is made cleat throughout the book that you never wanted Walker to fall into the responsibility of your daughter Hayley, but as a sister she seemed quite supportive. Have you ever talked to her in depth about Walker, and how discover her perspective on the whole situation?
3. Besides Olga, many people that have helped Walker have come and go; some stay for weeks, others for years. Do any of the helpers from the past ever try and contact you and get updates on Walker? I'm pretty much aiming this question at Trish, but have you heard from anyone at all?
