The Story of our Lives

In the end, it’s about discovering exactly who I was meant to be.

Every single day I am asked at least once….is your book for me? It’s often followed up with…I don’t have autism in my life. Or my autistic child is an adult now. Or even, I don’t want to read it because it will make me sad.

Here is what I think, and also what I have learned since April when my book was published.

It’s a must read for anyone. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a grandparent, a business owner…autism is everywhere. But it’s more than that.

Every single one of us has been faced with a challenge of some sort. Or served up something different than we expected. And as human beings, we figure out who we really are.

(From the introduction…)

“You may read the first chapters of this book and think it’s a sad story. Please keep going. You’ll see it’s not.

You may also think it’s a story about a boy with autism. And while yes, Cooper is certainly the star, it is also the story of me as a mother, finding my way down an unexpected path.

It is the story of mistakes and triumphs—of altered dreams and agonizing hope.

A story of marital compromise, and sibling rivalry, and the shifting perspective of advocacy, as I tirelessly find new ways to give my nonverbal boy a voice in this world.

In the end, it’s about discovering exactly who I was meant to be.

And I owe it all to my son.”

Whether you have autism in your life or not, or wherever you are in the journey, I hope you enjoy reading Forever Boy. And that the yellow-haired boy who adores trains and covers his ears at the grocery store impacts you in a positive way. So next time you see autism, you choose grace and kindness.

Let’s give ‘Spare’ by Prince Henry a run for his money on Amazon today. If you haven’t ordered Forever Boy yet, it’s the perfect time.

It’s on Amazon for $13.99. You can also get it at Target and Barnes & Noble for $13.99 too if you avoid Amazon.

I’ll put links below!

Upcoming Events

Live With Adrian Wood, Carrie Cariello, and Kate Swenson on Facebook on January 11 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Join Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper’s Voice for a live discussion with Adrian Wood of Tales of an Educated Debutante and author Carrie Cariello on Tales of an Educated Debutante’s Facebook page.

Come watch and join comment along with the live discussion! Everyone welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/talesofaneducateddebutante

I’m going to be in Pittsburgh, giving a keynote presentation at The Autism Caring Center on April, 21-23rd. I am so excited!