Overview

When an idealistic activist objects to her siblings' plan to ship their disabled sister off to a nursing home, she's forced to choose between family and her sister's freedom. TRIGGER WARNING: This true story deals with dysfunctional family relationships and ableist attitudes, which some readers may find upsetting. ""The result is more than a memoir: it's a testimony to how 'tickets to freedom' are gained through fighting and love."" D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review A true story about disability, sisters, and standing up for the right to be yourself. Franke James is an environmental activist who got into trouble in her own backyard-family trouble. She objected when she heard her siblings' plan to put their disabled sister, Teresa Heartchild, into a nursing home. Teresa, who has Down syndrome, refused to go. But the other siblings insisted and secretly put Teresa into an institution for end-of-life care. Teresa was in shock. Franke was horrified and organized a rescue. That's when all hell broke loose. The two sisters had to stand together-against their siblings, the medical system, and the police-to defend Teresa's right to be free. This is a true story about a key civil rights issue for all people with disabilities-the right to decide where you live. AWARDS for Freeing Teresa Human Relations Indie Book Award Winner, 2024: Gold Award, Family Challenges Gold Award, Special Needs (Disability Rights) Silver Award, Leadership Silver Award, Inspirational Eric Hoffer Award, 2024: Finalist, Memoirs Firebird Book Awards, Q2, 2024: Judges' Pick 1st place, Social/Political Change 1st place, Special Needs (Disability Rights) 2nd place, Leadership 2nd place, Inspiration Pinnacle Book Awards, Summer 2024: 1st place, Inspiration

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9781999406165

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Reviews

"""Gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring. This story will break your heart and then fill it up again."" Catherine McKercher, author of Shut Away ""A gripping story about courage, love, and an unshakeable belief in human potential."" Marty Seldman, Ph.D. author of Survival of the Savvy ""A courageous, personal account of fighting the system-and family-to free Teresa from forced care."" Alanna Hendren, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Assoc. ""Full of insight, heartbreak and inspiration. This no-holds-barred story is a must-read for anyone who cares about disability rights."" Karla Verschoor, Executive Director, Inclusion BC ""A must-read for anyone who cares about human dignity and equal rights. A truly amazing story."" George Melnyk, Professor Emeritus, Communication, Media and Film, University of Calgary ""Authentic, raw and riveting. It was an emotional rollercoaster-one that will be very real for many disabled people. At its core, it's about hope for a better life and resilience."" Isabel Mavrides-Calderon @Powerfullyissa, Disability Advocate"

"""Gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring. This story will break your heart and then fill it up again."" Catherine McKercher, author of Shut Away ""The result is more than a memoir: it's a testimony to how 'tickets to freedom' are gained through fighting and love."" D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review ""A gripping story about courage, love, and an unshakeable belief in human potential."" Marty Seldman, Ph.D. author of Survival of the Savvy ""A courageous, personal account of fighting the system - and family - to free Teresa from forced care."" Alanna Hendren, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Assoc. ""Full of insight, heartbreak and inspiration. This no-holds-barred story is a must-read for anyone who cares about disability rights."" Karla Verschoor, Executive Director, Inclusion BC ""A must-read for anyone who cares about human dignity and equal rights. A truly amazing story."" George Melnyk, Professor Emeritus, Communication, Media and Film, University of Calgary ""Authentic, raw and riveting. It was an emotional rollercoaster-one that will be very real for many disabled people. At its core, it's about hope for a better life and resilience."" Isabel Mavrides-Calderon @Powerfullyissa, Disability Advocate"

Author Information

Franke James is an artist, activist and the author of four books on human rights, climate change, free expression, and ethics. For her, these issues are all connected by the need to speak up and take action. The spark for Freeing Teresa was lit in 2013. Franke and her husband, Billiam James, helped her younger sister get out of a nursing home and then helped Teresa ask for an apology. Earlier that same year, Franke had published Banned on the Hill, which led to her winning the BC Civil Liberties Award for Excellence in the Arts. Her related poster campaign, ""Do Not Talk About Climate Change,"" appeared in three Canadian cities and Washington, DC. In 2015, Franke was awarded PEN Canada's Ken Filkow Prize for ""tenacity in uncovering an abuse of power and commitment to fostering a national conversation in the face of censorship."" Franke lives in Vancouver, BC, with her husband and her sister, Teresa. Billiam James is an activist, artist, designer and award-winning videographer. In 2013, he helped his wife, Franke, get her younger sister, Teresa, out of a nursing home and brought her to live with them. Together, they helped Teresa ask for an apology for the wrongful institutionalization. After two years of campaigning, the Ontario Minister of Health publicly apologized to Teresa. Billiam combines storytelling, visual art, music, and social activism to effect change. Over the past three decades, he has produced creative work addressing the following themes: disability rights, mental health, climate change, and free speech. He lives in Vancouver, BC, with Franke James and sister-in-law Teresa Heartchild. Teresa Heartchild is an artist, self-advocate, and author who has Down syndrome. Teresa has shown remarkable resilience and courage. In 2013, a social worker said she was incapable of deciding where she would live. Teresa was put into a Toronto nursing home. Within days, her father, her sister Franke, and her brother-in-law, Bill, helped her get discharged. Teresa had a new capacity test done that determined she could decide where to live. Two years of campaigning later, BC Civil Liberties wrote to the Ontario government on Teresa's behalf: ""We are gravely concerned that the government, through its actions, appears to condone the forced placement and mistreatment of developmentally disabled adults."" The Ontario Minister of Health responded by publicly apologizing to Teresa. The BC Human Rights Commissioner named Teresa a ""Champion for Change."" In 2023, Teresa is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her rescue and lives with her sister, Franke, in Vancouver, BC.

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