MovieChat Forums > Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love (1979) Discussion > Is This Based On A Book Titled, 'A Boy C...

Is This Based On A Book Titled, 'A Boy Called Hopeless?'

posted 15 years ago by jbartelone
2 replies | jump to latest

I remember this movie: Sunrise: A Miracle of Love and the incredible emotional impact it had on me showing how a parent's love and compassion for their children can overcome the obstacles and bureaucracies of "The System." The theme song is so beautiful!

When I was in middle school, I read a book titled,A Boy Called Hopeless, which was about a developmentally-challenged child seen through the eyes of his grade-school sister. She discusses her life and relationship living with her handicapped brother. Based on a real case, his parents take him to a well-known clinic in Philadelphia called, "The Institute For Human Potential" which is a specialized clinic that helps physically and emotionally challenged children reach their full potential. They still exist today! Here is the website:

http://www.iahp.org/

The book is older sister's narrative about how the school (site above) instituted a home program of intensive daily therapy for their son. It details the joys and frustrations of how the family had to literally change their lives and devote their entire responsibilities to this program on a daily basis. I loved the book and the Sun-Rise movie! Are they based on the same case? The little boy's name in the book if I recall correctly was Jeremiah. You should be able to find a used copy of the book at Amazon.com if you are interested. I also look forward to seeing "Sun-Rise" again!

Joe

[–] solex10 12 years ago

To answer your question, no, they are not the same. Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love is based on the book of the same name (now called Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues due to an expansion of the book).

[–] blynnpatton 10 years ago

I have a copy of the book, A Boy Called Hopeless by MJ. It is a work of fiction. The author of the book had a child who had been treated by the same institute as the child in the story, but the story written was fictional. It's written by David Melton. It's about a child born with damage to his brain.

Son-Rise is based on a book about a boy with autism, and the book is a biography. There is, however, controversy about how well the treatment used in the movie works and whether or not Raun actually had autism.