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And a novel is born

3/3/2013

It has been said that writing a book is like birthing a child. It takes time, patience, and alot of love. You become emotionally attached and live and breath your words on the page. This is how I spent my last six years.

Now I am proud to announce that my novel has been born. Breaking the Silence is now available for sale! You can pick up a copy on Amazon.Com or download an eBook for your Kindle. Links to both places are on the Breaking the Silence navigation tab to your left.

A blog tour is currently being planned as I make my way around the web. There will be free book giveaways and reviews to look forward to. Have a website and would like to take part? Email me at [email protected] and I will put you on the list of participants. If you don't have a site, you can always post your review on Amazon.Com after you read the

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A caregiver's cookout

9/2/2012

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Opening their home to host a BBQ for all of the caregivers that have stayed at David's Refuge, Warren and Brenda Pfohl have once again outdid themselves. Families were welcomed with a yard full of activities to entertain the children, while the adults had time to connect with one another and make new friends. Little ones worked off their energy in the bounce houses then tried their hands at some carnival games. A colorful parachute waved in the air as kids ran under and over it whi
Toby was a hit with both the kids and adults!

The tent provided shelter from the sun while we dined on delicious foods. Volunteers made sure that each guest was well taken care of. We were given a chance to sit back and simply enjoy the day with our children. I could easily get used to being papered like that on a daily basis !

For those who needed some quite time away, they could escape to the santurary of nature. The grounds offer a stunning view that is bound to let all your stress slip away.

Are you a caregiver of a child with a disability or life threatening disease and could use a getaway? David's Refuge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for the caregiver. Visit their website to learn about their mission and book your free stay at their beautiful Bed & Breakfast. http://davidsrefuge.org/

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My daughter has designer genes

8/25/2012

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It's almost back to school time and with that comes back to school shopping. What do most teenagers want in their fashion attire? Jeans. And not just any jeans, they want designer jeans. This is usually to a parent's dismay because these come with a huge price tag. I guess that makes me lucky. My daughter was born with designer genes, and they were free.

Just recently we found out my daughter's exact genetic code. For sixteen years we knew she had a deletion, but were never told of it's specific identification. While it is relief to finally have some answers, the sad part is that the doctor's don't know what her genetic defect means. They know having an extra chromosome #21 means Down Syndrome. A deletion in 22Q11 means Velo Cardio Facial Syndrome. But the deletion that my has does not come with a diagnosis, so still we are left with many unanswered quetions.

So, what do you know for sure? We know that my daughter is one of the happiest and easy going person I have ever met. She is kind, gentle, and loves everyone and everything. She is unique. Even the Chromosomal Disorder database cannot match another person exactly like her. My daughter is a one of a kind anomaly, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

When you are off at the mall searching for those specialty jeans that will make your child look fabulous and assure their place in a specific social status, take a moment and think of those children who were born with designer genes. They want to be socially accepted too.

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Do you have a story to share?

7/21/2012

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People have been asking me if the next book is out yet and if there is still time to submit a story before it comes out. The good news is that if you have been thinking about writing a story, there is still time to get it into the book!

Is there a person you know who has overcome unbelievable odds? Perhaps their story could inspire someone else going through a similar situation. The best comfort in a person's life is knowing that they are not alone.

Stories can be up to 2,500 words long, and anonymous submissions will be accepted for those who are worried about privacy. Changing names will also allowed allowed for the same reason.

Because I am trying to get as many wonderful stories to this next book as possible, I do not have an exact date set for publication. However, I do anticipate that it will be within the next year. Any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected], or facebook.com/WindingRoadBook.

Here are a several of the Amazon.Com reviews from Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child:

I was unsure when I first opened this book just what I would find. But, when I finished it....I said, "This book needs to be sold along with a box of tissues." Some of the stories will make you cry and others make you laugh.

The stories are from individuals who live with, or affect by, children who were born different in various ways. Each story tells how a family adapt their everyday life to the ordeals which become 'normal' in their household. And, it spreads beyond that one child born, beyond the parents and siblings; it affects aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, teachers, clergy, bus drivers...and beyond.

These children teach us as much as the other way around.

The one thing that resonates in this book is...love.

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This book shows the ups and downs both the parents and the children go through in life with disabilities. One story you would die laughing and the next you'll be crying your eyes out. Finished this book within a day. Just couldn't put it down.

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I just read this entire book from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down! There were times when I wanted to cry, and times I wanted to laugh. It shows how each family's situation is unique. There is no mold for a special needs person, and no one right path to take to deal with them.

This book is one that should be read and then shared with others.

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As a mother of a child with disabilities, I picked up a copy of this book in hopes of relating to other families who are dealing with similiar situations. The stories inside made me instantly feel connected. Some gave me hope, others melted my heart. I laughed, cried, and smiled throughout the entire book. It reminded me of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. A wonderfully easy read for any busy cargiver who is raising a special needs child.

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Could the title, not be any more perfect?!??!!

I am so proud of Amy and the initiative she took in self-publishing this book. She wanted to find a way to connect her story with others, and this book is going to encourage and bless SO MANY families.

Having any kind of special needs child or family member can be overwhelming at times. Unless you are physically living in their individual situations, it is so hard to comprehend all of the variances they experience on a daily basis. This book not only brings light to the hardships hese families face but also the triumphs and delights that these unique children bring into their little corners of the world.

This book offers hope, inspiration, and ultimately support, to let you know.... you are never alone. You are not, the only one. There are people that understand and will be there to cheer you on in the best of times, and help you pick up the pieces in the worst. Being an advocate for your child and helping others that also need it, can bring the greatest satisfaction and purpose in your life.

EVERY child is special. Special needs kids don't require extra love, just unconditional love..... just like any other child does.

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Flowers for Algernon, Tears for me.

2/29/2012

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I am stuck in a quandary of a past love and a current reality. My daughter brought home the next novel on the school's mandated reading assignment: Flowers for Algernon. One of the best books I have ever read. In high school this story touched my heart and when I got the chance to be in the school's production I was thrilled. ( I played one of Charly's friends). At the time I thought it was great. Now the reality of it hits too close to home.

For those of you who have not read the story it is about a very kind young man named Charly who has an IQ of 68. Charly desperatly wants to" be smart" and volunteers to be the first human to undergo an experimental procedure to raise his intelligence. The treatments works so well that within weeks he has now surpassed the intellilgence of the doctors who performed the surgery on him. Now Charly has realized that the people who he once thought were his friends were really laughing at him and not with him. Life was suddenly a cruel ephipany now that he had extreme intelligence but no one whom he could trust. Watching the lab rat Algernon who received the same experimental treatment achieve greatness and then subcomb to his death made Charly wonder if he was better off prior to the procedure.

The story is soul wrenching, yet I am happy that the school district chose now to introduce it to the students. Tomorrow marks the first day of Developmental Disability Month, and this book is a wonderful tribute to all of our local individuals who are struggling with this same adversity. When I read this book in 10th grade I knew it made an impact on but thought nothing of it. Now that my daughter is reading it I can't help but to wonder two things.

One: Will she even understand the book and make a connection to her own life?
Two: If there was a new breakthough in science, would I allow her to take the treatment in hopes of improving her life?

I would be lying if I said I never wondered what she would be like if she didn't have any problems. But would I want to take the chance of ruining her pure sweet innocence and loving disposition just so that she could be smarter? Not likely. Yes, I would love to know that one day she will graduate from college, marry the man of her dreams, and live a productive life that included a career and family. The reality of it is that she will most likely live with me my whole life, tell me twenty times a day that I'm her girl, and give me hugs & bed bugs each night before bed. I have a forever child and I wouldn't change that for the world.

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And a novel is born

A caregiver's cookout

My daughter has designer genes

Do you have a story to share?

Flowers for Algernon, Tears for me.

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