Book Giveaway Winner

Thanks to all of you who entered the contest to win a copy of my book in recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I appreciate the support!

Without further ado, the winner is . . . .

Drum roll, please.

Bonnie.

Yay!!

You can email me your address at talleyrl(AT)yahoo(DOT)com.

Thanks again to everyone who entered.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Book Giveaway

In recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Month I am going to give away a copy of my novel, The Upside of Down. While my book does have a sub-plot about DS, it is not about DS. The story is about an LDS woman who thinks she has indestructible faith until her life is turned upside down and she must decide whether or not she still has faith. The title is a play on words.

Too many people still have misconceptions about Down syndrome. I didn't know much about it until I had to learn. Since then, I've realized that people with DS are much more like those of us without it than not. They have distinct personalities, likes and dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, talents, dreams, struggles, etc. Because their struggles are more visible, they tend to be targets of ridicule and name-calling. Many people in our society are still ignorant of what people with DS can do and how people with DS can make the world a better place.

We become so focused on perfection we fail to see the blessings of imperfections. Currently, the medical profession is working to eliminate DS from our society. Not by curing it, but by preventing it through abortion.  Specialized testing is now available earlier in pregnancy so more pregnancies diagnosed with DS can be terminated thereby practicing selective birthing.

The message: those with DS are sub-human and should not be allowed to live simply because they have an extra chromosome. Sounds Hitleresque to me.

I want to make people aware that while parenting a child with DS has its unique challenges, it also has great and wonderful blessings. I can't imagine my life without my son. I have found great joy in the simple things I took for granted with my other kids. I have learned patience and acceptance and total reliance on my Heavenly Father to guide me in how to best serve my son. I've learned things I did not learn with my previous nine children. My son's life has been a gift to me.

So, my gift to you is a chance to win a copy of my book. The contest will run through midnight, October 31st.  I will use Random.org to choose a winner on November 1st. If you'd like to enter:

1. Become a follower--1 entry
and/or
2. Tell 3 friends about my book--1 entry
3. email me at talleyrl(AT)yahoo(DOT)com or leave a comment here to let me know what you did.

Thanks for your interest!

The Winner Is . . . .

Congratulations to Lexie@BookBug, you are the winner of The Upside of Down. I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks to everyone who commented and played along.