Kathryn Hulings Releases LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO: Raising Michael Who Has Down Syndrome

This powerful, funny and heartwarming story begins over twenty years ago in a small Israeli town, where a desperate mother told a remarkable lie. She told her friends and family that her newborn child had died. That lie became the catalyst for the unfolding truth of the adoption of that same baby-Michael -who is, in fact, very much alive and now twenty-two years old. He also has Down Syndrome.

When Kathryn Hulings adopted Michael as an infant, she could not have known that he would save her life when she became gravely ill and was left forever physically compromised. Her story delights in how Michael's life and hers, while both marked by difference and challenge, are forever intertwined in celebration and laughter. With candor and a sense of humor, LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO wraps itself around the raucous joy of Michael's existence with his four older siblings who play hard and love big; how Kathryn and her husband, Jim, utilize unconventional techniques in raising kids; the romance between Michael and his fiancée, Casey; the power of dance in Michael's life as an equalizing and enthralling force; the staggering potential and creativity of those who are differently-abled; and the mind-blowing politics of how Kathryn navigated school systems and societal attitudes that at times fought to keep Michael excluded from the lives of kids deemed "normal."

Kathryn's compelling, hysterical narrative highlights the rich, colorful story of Michael's childhood: from showing up in his 7th grade social studies class dressed like Spiderman to calling 911 when his girlfriend breaks his heart. Through it all, LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO shows readers the experience of motherhood in extraordinary circumstances -sometimes with success, sometimes with dismal failure - as Michael grows from a baby to an amazing young man.

"LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO is a welcome and necessary book about raising a child who has Down syndrome. With a huge heart, this book explores the Hulings family's experiences as their son and sibling, Michael, grows into young adulthood-the same stage of life my son Max, who also has Down syndrome, is entering. In each chapter, Hulings establishes that unlimited joy and life-affirming moments will continue to unfold in wonderful, unexpected ways for families who already celebrate existence with a person who has special needs-or need assurance that such a thing is possible.- John C. McGinley, Actor ("Scrubs," Platoon, Wall Street) and noted advocate for individuals who have Down syndrome, serving as Ambassador for both Special Olympics and the National Down Syndrome Society, board member of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and one of the original creators of the Spread the Word to End the Word National Campaign

"LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO's greatest strengths are the aesthetic value of the writing-it's very lyrical and beautiful-and the uncommon perspective on parenting an older child with Down syndrome."- Kathryn Soper, Author (THE YEAR MY SON AND I WERE BORN)

"...from the first page, this memoir that reads like a novel brims with characters who sometimes struggle mightily yet in the end perform lionhearted feats almost every day, year after year-from adoptive mom Kathryn Hulings to her husband Jim and their biological kids to inspired teachers of many kinds. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Kathryn Hulings' debut book is a moving portrayal of family and community dedication and love."- John Calderazzo, Author (RISING FIRE: VOLCANOES, OUR INNER LIVES).

KATHRYN U. HULINGS is a mother and writer who has called Fort Collins, Colorado, her home for over thirty years. While raising her family of five kids with her husband, Jim, Kathryn worked as an advocate for children with special needs, served as a community volunteer, earned a BA in English from Colorado State University, and subsequently taught 8th grade Language Arts at a local middle school. Kathryn returned to school to get an MA in English/Creative Nonfiction, also from CSU, where she is now an adjunct faculty member teaching composition and literature courses. When not teaching, parenting, or playing with her three dogs, Kathryn can be found writing prose, poetry, essays and screenplays. For more information on Kathryn and LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO, please visit LifeWithASuperHero.com.

LIFE WITH A SUPERHERO
978-1-57441-524-7 cloth
$29.95
6x9. 288 pp. 25 b&w photos. Notes.
Literary Nonfiction. Memoir.
NOW AVAILABLE:
Amazon.com
BarnesAndNoble.com
LifeWithASuperHero.com
UNTPress.unt.edu/
Ebook 978-1-57441-537-7

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