News

Here is the highlight list of Franke’s and Teresa’s best interviews, podcasts, zoom chats, and presentations. Get the inside story about the book, activism, and doing the right thing.

Stuart Sax: Somebody You Should Know

In this episode of Someone You Should Know, Stuart Sax talks with Franke James, an activist, artist, and author who fights city hall, has been blacklisted for her climate artwork, and has authored a book about freeing her sister from a nursing home.

Excerpt: To Make People Accountable, Record Everything!

Franke James (36:36):
I think that it’s so important is that we recorded everything. We recorded the police coming and what they said, and so it’s all in the book and so helpful.

And we also requested Teresa’s health records. And so initially the system would not show Teresa her own health records because she had been declared incapable, so we had to fight very hard to get them released. I became Teresa’s power of attorney, and then I got the health records, and we saw that they were full of incorrect information, which painted Teresa as someone who needed 24/7 care when she didn’t.

Stuart Sax (37:53):
You are so right. And folks, listen to what Franke has to say, that if you are in any kind of a situation with family members, with medical issues, even financial problems that may arise within a family, document it on paper, document it with audio, with video, any way that you can so that it doesn’t come back to say, well, that’s just hearsay. No, I’m sorry. I have it documented here on paper that I can share that information with you… I want you to share with people that are watching and listening to us right now a little bit more about what it means to Franke James to be an activist.

---

Each week, Stuart Sax interviews Someone You Should Know. Get to know people who have incredible stories to tell. It’s their backstories that make the conversations come to life. From government officials, artists, writers, service providers, creators and dreamers; I share their stories in a casual way. Maybe your story will be the next one we share!

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhBxnQfNpjE&t=78s

---

A True Story of Disability and Love – Your Lot and Parcel

Host Ben Diaz interviews Franke James: In this conversation, Franke James discusses her experience of rescuing her sister Teresa, who has Down syndrome, from an institutional care facility that Franke’s other siblings had placed her in without the consent of her father or Teresa herself.

Franke James says, “So basically, I had to choose sides, between Teresa’s freedom and my family because they wanted something that I was totally opposed to. The group as a whole wanted Teresa to live in a nursing home, and I didn’t.

“I offered to have Teresa live with me to stop their plan, but it didn’t work. They rejected my offer and put her in a nursing home anyway. And when I helped Teresa escape, all hell just broke loose. Despite the fact that we had official permission, they went berserk and called the police twice. Within three months, we had left our home and fled to the far side of the country, which is why I’m now in B.C. and not in Ontario anymore. So that’s 2,500 miles away.”

Listen on Apple Podcasts: A True Story of Disability and Love

---

Audio Interview: Fully Booked

The Do’s and Don’ts of Audiobooks

Craig Tuch and Roland Hume, co-hosts of Fully Booked: The Hidden Gems Author Podcast, interview Franke James.

In this week’s episode, Craig and Roland are joined by author, artist, and activist Franke James, who shares her firsthand experience of transforming her award-winning book into an audiobook that has gone on to win numerous accolades of its own.

From casting professional voice actors to tackling the challenges of studio recording, Franke details out everything she did right—and wrong—throughout the process… this conversation is packed with invaluable advice for any author considering turning their own story into an immersive auditory experience.

Listen on Hidden Gems: The Do’s and Don’ts of Creating an Audiobook

---

Audio Interview: Pushing for Change Podcast

Cruisin’ Cripples: Activism Begins at Home

Kevin Brown, host of Cruisin’ Cripples, interviews Franke James.

“It’s an amazing story,” Kevin said. “You had already agreed that you were going to take your sister in. Why do you think that was not a viable option for your siblings?”

“Well, I think there are two things,” Franke answered. “There were power issues. My sister, Deirdre (pseudonym), was older than me, and who was this young sibling who was saying, no, it’s not going to work… And there was a whole group of people surrounding Teresa who said that she had to go into a nursing home. And the other reason was it was a free ticket for life. Teresa would’ve had her healthcare and room and board covered for life. But at what cost? It was so limiting to be in an institution. I was just horrified.”

Listen on Spotify: Cruisin’ Cripples: Pushing For Change with Franke James.

Read Franke’s Post: Activism Begins at Home

---

Audio Interview: The School of Heritage Podcast

The Journey of Resilience and Sisterly Love

Temitope Adegoke, host of The School of Heritage Podcast, interviews Franke James.

Temitope described the show: “In this powerful episode with Franke James, we dive deep into the remarkable story of two sisters bound by love, courage, and an unbreakable bond. Join us as we explore the journey of Franke’s determination to rescue her disabled sibling, Teresa, from the confines of institutional care, navigating a complex web of systems, legal hurdles, and emotional challenges along the way.”

“Through raw interviews, personal reflections, and valuable insights, we shed light on the resilience it takes to protect a loved one, the sacrifices made, and the inspiring transformation of bringing family back together. This episode will touch anyone with a heart for family, strength in adversity, and the hope that drives us to never give up.”

Listen on Apple: The Journey of Resilience and Sisterly Love: A Story of Family, Strength, and Hope.

Also on Spotify: The Journey of Resilience and Sisterly Love

---

Audio Interview: The Courageous Inner Beast

Speak up for those who may have difficulty speaking up for themselves

Tina Hoang, host of the Courageous Inner Beast, interviews author and activist Franke James.

Tina asked: “What is your one courageous story you would like to share today?”

“My story is about rescuing my sister Teresa from a nursing home in 2013,” Franke said. “So that was more than 10 years ago. And to cut to the chase—Teresa still lives with me now, and she’s doing beautifully. But back in 2013, she was put into a nursing home by my siblings who said that she needed 24/7 care. And in Canada, this care would’ve been paid for by the government. I didn’t believe anything that was being said about Teresa needing 24/7 care. And thank goodness, I didn’t believe it. And I hope that all of your listeners will understand that it’s so important to stand up and speak up for those who may have difficulty speaking up for themselves and defending themselves.”

Listen on Apple: The Courageous Inner Beast: Advocate and Free Teresa, feat Franke James

---

Audio Interview: Redraw Your Path

Dream Big About What Could Be

Lynn Debilzen, host of Redraw Your Path, interviews Franke James.

“We covered a lot of territory in this interview,” Franke said. “From my being an artist and activist to becoming a disability rights advocate for my sister. We talked about how defending Teresa caused me to redraw my path in a BIG way. And we talked about overcoming obstacles and finding the strength to withstand group pressure. And we also chatted about the reality that ethical decisions can sometimes come between ourselves and family relationships.”

Join host Lynn Debilzen in this touching interview with Author, Advocate, and Artist Franke James on Redraw Your Path! This episode is a powerful reminder that we have the strength to withstand and overcome obstacles.

Their conversation touches on:

• The importance of standing up for your values and doing what is right, but the fear of repercussions that can come from that
• The meaning of family, and how values-based decisions sometimes need to come in the way of family relationships

Tune in for a dynamic discussion on life and growth!

Listen on Spotify: Redraw your Path: Dream Big About What Could Be

Read Franke’s post: Redraw Your Path interviews Franke James

---

Video Presentation: Community Living Ontario

Protecting the Rights of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Shawn Pegg, the Director of Social Policy at Community Living Ontario, hosted this presentation featuring Franke James, Billiam James, and Teresa Heartchild, as well as Stephanie Dickson, a partner at Pooran Law. (Stephanie’s presentation is not on YouTube.)

The story behind Teresa’s and Franke’s involvement in Community Living Ontario’s goes back forty-five years to 1979 when the documentary Exploding the Myth aired across Canada—with Teresa in it. Community Living Ontario produced the film! Wow!

Exploding the Myth’s goal was to debunk false myths and expose pervasive negative social attitudes that limited the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Teresa starred in the documentary to show how inclusion worked.

“Today, Teresa shows the importance of inclusion, but with a scary twist,” Franke said. “In 2013, after living in the community for 49 years, Teresa was put into a nursing home against her will. Teresa didn’t want to live there and had to fight for her right to live in the community—a civil right that most people take for granted. (My memoir, Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me, goes into detail.) We’ll be explaining how we helped Teresa get out of forced care and regain her decision-making rights.”

Watch on YouTube: Protecting the Rights of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Read Franke’s post about Teresa’s decsion: It’s My Decision

---

Audio Interview: Demand and Disrupt

I Am Alive

Lisa McKinley, host of Demand and Disrupt, interviews Franke James. Teresa Heartchild reads her poem “I Am Alive.”

Lisa speaks with Canadian author Franke James about her latest book, Freeing Teresa, a true story of heartbreak and triumph. When Franke’s younger sister Teresa was placed in a nursing home against her will by their other siblings, Franke knew she had to act to protect Teresa’s civil liberties. Franke recognized that the nursing home was no place for a 49-year-old woman with Down syndrome who could still make decisions for herself, so she set out to ensure that Teresa’s voice would not go unheard. Listen to learn how Franke helped free her sister and what Teresa is doing today.

Listen to the podcast: Demand and Disrupt: I Am Alive

Read Franke’s post: Demand and Disrupt Podcast: I Am Alive

---

Video Interview: Siblings Canada

“Siblings are like Krazy Glue”

Helen Reis, co-founder of Siblings Canada, and Dr. Yona Lunsky, a director at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, chat with Franke James.

This is a unique interview because all three women have siblings with developmental disabilities. Plus, Franke’s sister, Teresa Heartchild, makes several surprising appearances in the interview. Franke and Teresa’s rollercoaster story is challenging for siblings because it is about a crisis that many families may eventually face over the hot issues of housing, finance, human rights, and family dynamics.

“When the big crisis in Freeing Teresa rocked our world, it was my call to action,” Franke James said during the interview. “That invisible sibling bond propelled me forward to help Teresa. Just as Helen Ries did so remarkably for her brother Paul. And U.K. author Manni Coe did for his brother Reuben. I think siblings are like Krazy Glue, and stories like ours show that we can be a force for good and transformative growth.”

Watch the video at Siblings Canada: A Conversation with Teresa Heartchild and Franke James

Read Franke’s post: A Sister’s Call to Action

---

Audio Interview: Disability and Progress

Sam Jasmine interviews author Franke James

Sam Jasmine, host of Disability and Progress on KFAI Radio, talks with Franke James. 

“What my siblings were proposing by putting Teresa into a nursing home, was something they would never want for themselves, so why was it okay for Teresa? ” Franke said during the interview. “It seemed to me to be shortchanging her life and limiting her future.”

Andrew Pulrang, from Disability Thinking Weekday, commented: “This is an audio interview with Franke James. In it, she tells the story of her successful advocacy to help her sister Teresa, who has Down syndrome, regain choice and agency in her life, and avoid being placed in a nursing home. It’s a compelling story personal and family story. It also illustrates a great many themes of disability rights — institutionalization vs. community assistance, the complex and diverse ways families process different concepts about disability and care, and what ‘Nothing about us without us’ means in disabled people’s own lives and, at times, when autonomy is most important.”

Listen on KFAI: Disability and Progress: Sam Jasmine interviews Franke James

---

Audio Interview: Encouraging Abilities

Launch Day: Freeing Teresa

Evan Kelly, host of Encouraging Abilities, the Developmental Disabilities Association podcast, interviews Franke James, her husband Bill, and Franke’s sister Teresa Heartchild, about their book, Freeing Teresa.

Its publication date marks the 10th anniversary of Teresa’s rescue from an Ontario nursing home and coming to live with the Jameses. The difficult events catapulted them across the country to British Columbia, where they found many people who care deeply about the rights of the intellectually disabled.

The book tells the story of Franke’s fight to keep her sister Teresa out of a nursing home and in the community with them. Franke and Bill discuss the challenges they faced, including opposition from their family, the police, and the medical system. They emphasize the importance of standing up for the rights of individuals with disabilities and the need for inclusive and supportive communities. The book is published in print and e-book. An audio version narrated by a full cast will be available in 2024.

Listen to the DDA podcast: Encouraging Abilities Podcast – Freeing Teresa

Read the DDA post: Freeing Teresa

---

We did it! We won Gold in the IAN Awards!

And all the wins add up to eighteen awards and prizes for Freeing Teresa. Each one is a victory! Because this story has been burning inside me since 2013. Finally, in 2023, on the 10th anniversary of Teresa’s rescue, we published “Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me.”

Teresa’s story exposes the flaws of “forced care” as she was wrongly declared incapable.

Eleven years ago, a small team (my Dad, my husband and myself), helped Teresa Heartchild escape an involuntary placement in a Toronto nursing home. Her future had been written off when a social worker ticked a box saying she was “not capable.”  During the assessment, Teresa, who has Down syndrome, objected to the incorrect health information. But, she was ignored and admitted as a long-term resident. Teresa was trapped in a system that would not listen to her voice.

We got Teresa free, but then all hell broke loose. The next book, Escape to Lotusland, will show Teresa Heartchild raising her voice to have the Ontario Government “say sorry.” (The sequel is to be published in 2025.)

At first, it seemed like Teresa was the rare one to experience being put in a nursing home at 49. But I soon found out that it’s happening across Canada, in the USA, and around the world.

Read the book, which is available in all formats.

Three awards for the Audiobook

Three of the eighteen awards are for the audiobook. Meet the cast who brought my memoir to life! The audiobook stars Jackie Blackmore (as me), Lauren Potter (as Teresa Heartchild), and Dayleigh Nelson (as Billiam James), with a great supporting cast of Cynthia Potvin, Bill Mackie, Paula Hoffmann, Rob Cottingham, Sidika Larbes, Geoff Sugiyama, Laurel Bailey, Divina Soriano-Leacock, Justin Smallbridge, and Roshni Kashyap. Hurray! 👏

If you’re curious to see the eighteen award details please read below.

---

EIGHTEEN INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

NYC Big Book Award, 2024
Winner, Social/Political Change
Winner, Audiobook Nonfiction

IAN Book of the Year Awards (2024)
Nonfiction: “Outstanding True Story,” Book of the Year

eLit Awards (2024)
Audiobook, Autobiography/Biography, Silver

Literary Titan (Q4 2024)
Nonfiction, Gold

BookFest Awards, Fall 2024
Silver Winner, Memoir, Personal Nonfiction
Silver Winner, Audiobook, Overall Presentation, Nonfiction
Silver Winner, Human Rights & Political Movements

Human Relations Indie Book Award Winner, 2024
Gold Award, Family Challenges
Gold Award, Special Needs (Disability Rights)
Silver Award, Leadership
Silver Award, Inspirational

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 Achievement Awards, Summer 2024
1st Place, Inspiration

---