The author Judy McFarlane discusses her memoir, Writing with Grace: A Journey Beyond Down Syndrome (Douglas & McIntyre, 2014), and her own work with Grace Chen, who has Down Syndrome and who wants to write a book, with Joseph Planta.

Writing with Grace: A Journey Beyond Down Syndrome by Judy McFarlane (Douglas & McIntyre, 2014). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Writing with Grace

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Grace Chen was born with Down Syndrome, but all she wanted was to be a writer. She achieved that goal, and with the help of my guest now, Judy McFarlane, published a book of her own. A new book, chronicles how Chen and McFarlane met, what their work together entailed, and has resulted in Ms. McFarlane’s own book, Writing with Grace: A Journey Beyond Down Syndrome. In the book we meet Grace, encounter her family life, see how a 24-year old with Down Syndrome leads a life, that’s often misconstrued, criticised, stared at, and reduced. The author’s own misconceptions are bared out, challenged and overcome. It’s brave of the writer to do so, because a lot of us have the same ideas, some even worse when it comes to those who have an extra chromosome. We also have in this book the account of two writers wanting to write, as Ms. McFarlane had been a lawyer and full-time mom, and who went on to study creative writing at UBC, where she graduated with an MFA. Judy McFarlane writes fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been nominated for the Journey Prize. This is her first book. And it’s a compelling read, moving, and very instructive on what Down Syndrome is, and what life is like for those who have it, and those who have loved ones who do. It’s such a good book. It’s tough to put down. Visit www.judymcfarlane.com for more information. This book is published by Douglas & McIntyre. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Judy McFarlane; Ms. McFarlane, good morning.

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