#freeingteresa

Family, disability rights, and the fight for freedom

March 10, 2024 by Franke James

Book Review by SHUBHAM LAKHINA, @a_limitless_reader

Gripping narrative

The complex dynamics of family, disability rights, and the fight for freedom are woven into Freeing Teresa by Franke James. It is a gripping narrative which chiefly focuses on Franke’s quest to challenge her siblings’ decision to place their disabled sister, Teresa, into a nursing home against her wishes.

Riveting battle

Franke’s commitment to Teresa’s autonomy and dignity is unwavering, thus setting the stage for a riveting battle against the forces determined to deny her sister’s right to self-determination. Despite resistance from her own family members, who wield power as Teresa’s guardians, Franke refuses to back down. Then, she rallies a team of supporters to champion Teresa’s cause.

The enduring bond between two sisters

Straightaway, readers are drawn into a compelling narrative of courage, resilience, and the enduring bond between two sisters. Franke’s advocacy for Teresa’s freedom is a powerful reminder of the inherent worth and agency of individuals with disabilities. This book challenges social norms and systems that seek to marginalize and disempower them.

Franke’s vivid storytelling and candid reflections invite readers to confront their own preconceptions and biases. This prompts a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families. It is a captivating narrative of one family’s fight for justice and a rallying cry for social change and inclusivity.

Shines a light on broader issues within the disability rights movement

Freeing Teresa shines a light on broader issues within the disability rights movement. Significantly, it highlights the ongoing struggle for community-based living and the right to choose one’s own living arrangements. Teresa’s story is contextualized within the larger framework of civil rights. Throughout, Franke underscores the importance of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to live with dignity and autonomy.

Freeing Teresa colour hardcover with an orange cover and blue silhouette of Teresa raising her arms overhead. Her body is filled with a photo of blue sky, low mountains, and a sandy, rocky beach;

Summing up, Freeing Teresa is a compelling read that will leave a lasting impact on readers. Franke James’s courage in the face of adversity serves as a testament to the power of advocacy and the enduring strength of the human spirit. This book is a must-read for anyone passionate about disability rights, social justice, and the fight for freedom.

Siblings Canada interview with Franke James

February 18, 2024 by Franke James

A Sister’s Call to Action

Helen Ries, co-founder of Siblings Canada, summed up her reading experience of Freeing Teresa as “riveting.” She said it was a “call to action for siblings” for when our parents are no longer able to care for our siblings with disabilities.

A challenging story for all siblings

James’ rollercoaster story is challenging for siblings as it is about a crisis they may eventually face over the hot issues of housing, finance, human rights and family dynamics.

For the webinar, Franke and Helen were joined by psychologist Yona Lunsky. It was a unique interview, as each woman is a sister of a sibling with a developmental disability. (Teresa Heartchild makes appearances in the interview in surprising ways.)

Watch the video interview at Siblings Canada.

Franke James on getting the call to action

“When the big crisis in Freeing Teresa rocked our world, it was my call to action,” said Franke James. “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.”

“A very, very tough situation”

Excerpt from the Siblings Canada interview:

Yona Lunsky: So there’s a difference between providing care or making decisions for someone and then just really knowing someone and having that more fulsome kind of connection about that person and who they are day-to-day, and what matters. There are different ways we can relate to our siblings, aren’t there?

Franke James:
Yes. The thing is that it was a very, very tough situation to have all of my siblings with the exception of Teresa thinking that she should go into long-term care. And me being the one who says, “No, that’s not right, you can’t do that. What about her human rights?” But I just had to come back to the truth that I knew. And what I saw from my friendship with Teresa, and it was that she was healthy and she was active and she had a lot of things that she could do in her life and I wanted to help her. And my other siblings didn’t feel the same way.

Helen Ries:
What strikes me about your story, it feels very close to my story where I suddenly became my brother Paul’s carer in a crisis. And that seems to be also what’s happened to you. And I wonder if you can talk a little bit about that. What about that crisis made you change your mind about becoming Teresa’s carer? Because initially you weren’t ready to do that.

Watch the video interview at Siblings Canada.

Teresa Goes to the Dentist

February 17, 2024 by Franke James

Why a dental clinic for people with disabilities is so essential

Teresa Heartchild waits for her order at a busy restaurant

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️ A shoutout to all the #siblings, #caregivers and helpers out there! For most people, going to the dentist is not something we do for fun. My sister Teresa Heartchild feels the same way. Since I jumped into the role of a caregiver (over ten years ago) I’ve helped my sister go to the dentist many times. It always presents a whole bunch of challenges. Some of them can be met by explaining (in advance) why the visit is necessary, lots of good humour, and promising (edible) rewards! But convincing her also requires going to the right place. In Teresa’s case, that’s a dental clinic for people with disabilities. My story, “Teresa Goes to the Dentist,” is about our recent trip for a routine checkup.

Most dentists don’t have the patience for patients like Teresa

Experience taught us that it was necessary for Teresa to go to a specialized dental clinic. We found that most regular dentists don’t have the patience for patients like her! They’re on a strict time-clock and Teresa doesn’t abide by one. She demands a lot more time.

That’s because many little things are required to make Teresa comfortable and cooperative. (She’s even more wary of dentists since she had an infected tooth extracted last summer that required a hospital stay. Ouch!)

When we arrived for her routine visit, the hygienist explained to Teresa how she was going to clean her teeth. Then she patiently explained again—because repetition is often needed especially when it’s news Teresa doesn’t like. She got Teresa seated comfortably in the reclining dental chair. She let Teresa feel the bristles of the toothbrush with her fingers. Next she gave Teresa a hand mirror to watch what was happening. Teresa was relaxed throughout the whole tooth cleaning procedure. Then the dentist came in, peered at Teresa through dental loupes and gave Teresa the A-OK. Asked where she was going next, Teresa said happily, “The Flying Pig!”

So the cake helped, too!

Music by Kidcut
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Advance Praise

October 24, 2023 by Freeing Teresa

“With characteristic courage and determination, Franke James took on the health care system and her own family to free her sister Teresa from a nursing home. By turns gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring, Freeing Teresa shows how the disability rights ideal of ‘nothing about us without us’ is the only way to make decisions about frail or aging family members. This story will break your heart and then fill it up again.”
Catherine McKercher, author of Shut Away: When Down Syndrome Was a Life Sentence

“An unshakeable belief in human potential”

“This is a gripping story about courage, love, and an unshakeable belief in human potential—about people who possess a rare combination of optimism with savviness about power, law, and human nature. Inspirational.”
Marty Seldman, Ph.D., WSJ Bestselling author of Survival of the Savvy

“Full of insight, heartbreak and inspiration”

“Full of insight, heartbreak and inspiration, Freeing Teresa offers a compelling glimpse into the experience of people with disabilities. This no-holds-barred story is a must-read for decision-makers, advocates, family members, and 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”

“The battle to have Teresa be the best she can be—and to spend her life in a loving environment—is the heart of this book. A truly amazing story about an inspiring person and those who made it happen. A must-read for anyone who cares about human dignity and equal rights.”
George Melnyk, Professor Emeritus, Communication, Media and Film, University of Calgary

“Authentic, raw and riveting”

“Freeing Teresa is authentic, raw and riveting. It was an emotional roller coaster—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

“A courageous, personal account”

“Franke James has written a courageous, personal account of fighting the system—and her family—to free her sister, Teresa, from forced care. It is a study in family dynamics and how individual perspectives, regardless of how ‘well-meaning’ they may be, can place our loved ones’ human rights at risk. Freeing Teresa reflects in microcosm society’s struggles to maintain appropriate supports for people with disabilities who need care, in the face of those who resent expenditures on the ‘unproductive’ amongst us.”
Alanna Hendren, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Association