Midwest Book Review
HASSLER REVIEW - 6-25-2010
Braided Cord, Tough Times In and Out978-0984200719, $24.95,
Award winning author Liz Kulp brings another outstanding literary work of art to the market in her new book Braided Cord, Tough Times In and Out. Liz Kulp is a 23 year old woman who was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) as a result of her birth mother drinking while pregnant. As a child, Liz was in the foster care system and soon adopted at a very young age by Karl and Jodee Kulp and their family. Throughout her young life Author, Liz Kulp, kept journals and her new book, Braided Cord, is the published in-depth account of her life living with FASD. Her openness to share her feelings, her world and what the inside of her body and brain feels like is beyond brave. She is a modern day super hero who overcomes daily struggles to live in a society that does not see or fully understand her disability.
Liz Kulp takes her readers on an incredible journey deep inside the world of a sensitive growing teen and eventual mature woman who shares herself openly and completely. Fast paced, emotional and full of life lessons, readers can look forward to learning what it's like to live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from Ms. Kulp's amazing life experiences.
In order to help society change for the better, Author, Liz Kulp has stripped herself naked for all the world to see. She has stood alone, with her family, and before all of us, to teach us how important it is to not drink while pregnant. We applaud Liz. Kulp for her choices to persevere and reach out in order to save millions of innocent soon-to-be-born babies.
Author, Liz Kulp, pieces together diary entries in her book, Braided Cord, Tough Times In and Out. Dated logs from herself, her parents, life coaches, supportive partners and organizations make up her easy to read chapters. Reading Braided Cord is like stepping into Liz Kulp's shoes. To be a witness to a disability that you cannot see or touch and to understand another human being's world is a gift that Ms. Kulp delivers on. Kulp's audience has the chance to sit in a pampered setting as they spiritually travel her life path. Step by step, her readers are exposed to the disturbing effects that alcohol has on the human brain, the trauma it causes families, the pain it inflicts on innocent children and the burden it places on our society.
Through Liz's life, we have a chance to learn, to grow and to be a part of saving lives. Her voice and written words are clear, exact and honest. Liz Kulp has made it possible for other children and families dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders to open up, share their stories so they too can transition into the world as healthy and productive individuals. Ms. Kulp includes an appendix with resource information for her readers to learn more. There is an enormous amount of instruction included on what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is and how communities can help, schools can teach, people can understand and medical staff can identify it. Parents, Karl and Jodee Kulp, along with the support of their family, speak about the horrifying effects that FASDs has had on their lives, work and what their future holds. Every gut-wrenching stone has been turned and thrown against the wall in order to reach readers in a way that provokes positive change.
This is a book that commands attention and one that influences us to support speaking up in defense of the un-born. Braided Cord, Tough Times In and Out is a must read for professionals in the medical, social service and re-hab fields. Libraries who want to expand their reading programs and booksellers who are involved in book clubs will greatly profit from sharing this educational and inspirational book with their patrons and communities.
Sara Hassler
Midwest Book Review
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