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Freeing Teresa

Freeing Teresa

A True Story about My Sister and Me — by Franke James

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A true story about two sisters who had to stand together—against their siblings, the medical system, and the police—to defend the right to be free.

Sisters Teresa and Franke smile and wave in the 2024 wrap up
Podcast hosts and guests: Tina Hoang, Franke James, Lynn Debilzen Craig Tuch, Teresa Heartchild, Roland Hume, Helen Reis, Temitope Adegoke, and Yona Lunsky.
IAN book of the year, Outstanding Nonficiton, Freeing Teresa
Pushing for Change skull and wing logo designed by Kevin Brown for the podcast Cruisin' Cripples
Freeing Teresa gets a double-win at the NYC Big Book Awards. Winner: Audiobook-Nonfiction; and Winner: Social/Political Change.
Freeing Teresa Audiobook Cover
Teresa and Franke at Inclusion BC conference 2024 in Nanaimo BC
Image of Franke James with host Lynn Debilzen and an expressive squiggle
Assume That I Can. Teresa's 2024 World Down Syndrome Day Video
FREEING TERESA WON: Judges Pick, 2nd quarter 2024 1st place, Social/Political Change, 1st place, Special Needs 2nd place, Leadership 2nd place, Inspiration
Photo of Franke James, smiling and raising her arms like she's about to take flight. She is in the same long pastel dress she wore at the BDACI AGM
Community Living Ontario Event poster of webinar speakers Stephanie Dickson, Partner, PooranLaw, Franke James and Teresa Heartchild, Authors of Freeing Teresa: A true story about my sister and me, Nicole Flynn President, Council of CLO
Demand and Disrupt: Teresa on her bed in the nursing home in 2013, ready to blow the whistle.
A Sister's Rescue Mission for Disability Justice. Photo of Franke James on the Day they rescued Teresa form the nursing home.
Cover screen "Soul Healing Foots Spas" shows Teresa Heartchild getting a foot spa from her sister Franke James. Both women are white. Teresa is wearing a tie-dye shirt and black pants, while Franke is wearing a blue floral kimono.

About the Authors: Franke, Teresa and Billiam
Freeing Teresa Paperback
Photo of Bill, Franke and Teresa at Teresa's art show in 2019


“The result is more than a memoir: it’s a testimony to how ‘tickets to freedom’ are gained through fighting and love.”

—
D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review

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Freeing Teresa | Copyright © 2025 · Franke James