Freeing Teresa
A True Story About My Sister and Me
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Freeing Teresa
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Written by:
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Franke James
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Teresa Heartchild
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Billiam James
About this listen
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. This riveting true story is brought to life by a cast of over a dozen actors, including Jackie Blackmore as Franke James and Lauren Potter—who starred in the famed TV series Glee—as Teresa Heartchild.
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.
CONTENT WARNING: This true story deals with dysfunctional family relationships and ableist attitudes, which some listeners may find upsetting.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2023, 2024 Franke James (P)2024 The James Gang, Iconoclasts Inc.What the critics say
“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)
What listeners say about Freeing Teresa
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mohit Sharma
- 2024-09-24
A Gripping Tale of Advocacy and Family conflict
"Freeing Teresa" is a compelling audiobook written by Franke James that chronicles her decade-long struggle to protect her sister Teresa's rights and autonomy. Published on the tenth anniversary of Teresa's liberation, this audiobook serves as both a personal memoir and a powerful advocacy tool for disability rights.
The narration of "Freeing Teresa" is exceptional, bringing James's words to life with passion and clarity. The narrator's tone perfectly captures the emotional nuances of the story, from moments of frustration and anger to those of triumph and joy. Their pacing is excellent, allowing listeners to fully absorb the complex legal and ethical issues presented without feeling overwhelmed. The clear enunciation and engaging vocal performance make this audiobook a captivating listen from start to finish.
At its core, "Freeing Teresa" is a story of sisterly love and unwavering determination in the face of familial conflict and systemic ableism. The narrative begins with a seemingly simple question: "Where will Teresa live?" From there, it unfolds into a gripping account of Franke's fight against her siblings' decision to place Teresa, who has Down syndrome, in a nursing home against her will.
Crucially, this book delves deep into the issue of ableism within a dysfunctional family context. It starkly illustrates how an intellectually disabled person's own wishes for their future can be easily trampled, even by those who are supposed to have their best interests at heart. James powerfully demonstrates how societal prejudices and misconceptions about disability can infiltrate family dynamics, leading to decisions that prioritize convenience or outdated notions of "care" over an individual's autonomy and desires.
James takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster as she recounts the legal battles, confrontations with care agencies, and even encounters with law enforcement. The story is punctuated by moments of heartbreak and triumph, painting a vivid picture of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their advocates.
This audiobook is different because James's meticulous use of digital records, including emails, photographs, videos, and legal documents, to substantiate her account. This approach lends an air of authenticity and urgency to the narrative, transforming it from a mere personal story into a powerful testament to the ongoing struggle for disability rights.
"Freeing Teresa" is more than just a memoir; it's a crucial contribution to the discourse on disability rights and human dignity. In conclusion, "Freeing Teresa" is a must-listen audiobook that combines personal narrative with social commentary to create a powerful advocacy tool. It challenges, educates, and inspires, making it an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about disability rights, family dynamics, and human dignity. By shining a light on ableism within families and the importance of honoring the wishes of individuals with intellectual disabilities, it offers a unique and vital perspective in the field of disability literature.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Renuka Sharma
- 2024-10-15
Story and writing style both amazing 🫡👏
This audio book is a powerful examination of how society, even in the form of family members, can strip away autonomy from those they deem less capable of making their own decisions. It raises important questions about the balance between care and control, love and liberty, and ultimately, how far one is willing to go to defend the freedom of a loved one.
At the heart of the book is "Franke", an idealistic activist who has always fought for the rights of the marginalized. When her siblings make the heart-wrenching decision to place their sister Teresa, who has Down syndrome, into a nursing home, Franke is immediately and deeply troubled. The plan feels like a betrayal, both to Teresa’s wishes and to the ideals of family loyalty and compassion. Teresa, despite her condition, is a vibrant and determined woman who does not want to be institutionalized. She wants to continue living with her father, in the home she knows and loves.
Franke’s siblings, however, act as Teresa’s legal guardians and believe they know what’s best for her. They dismiss Teresa’s feelings, insisting that they are acting in her best interest by securing her a place in the care system. Their decision sparks a fierce debate within the family, highlighting the painful divide between those who prioritize safety and those who champion autonomy. As Teresa is forcibly placed into a nursing home, Franke is thrust into a moral and emotional conflict, compelled to choose between staying loyal to her family or fighting for her sister’s right to live freely.
The author masterfully weaves together themes of autonomy, family loyalty, and institutional power to create a story that resonates deeply with the reader. This is more than just a story about a family torn apart by a difficult decision—it is a story about the fight for dignity, the right to choose, and the lengths we will go to protect the people we love.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2024-11-07
A touching, important story
Like many young or middle-aged adults with Down Syndrome, Teresa lived at home, in this case with her father. But as he neared the end of his life, she learned that her siblings planned to send her to a nursing home. She did not want to go, and clearly she did not belong there. But it took a long and difficult struggle, pitting Teresa and her sister Franke against their family, the medical system and even the police, to find a better path. Sadly, all too many people like Teresa face a similar fate when their parents can no longer care for them. This important book shows there is -- and must be – another, better way. The audio version does justice to this story. I recommend it highly.
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