Tinderbox: One Family's Story of Adoption, Neurodiversity, and Fierce Love

Lynn watched her newly adopted daughter Clare crawl the house in a frantic search for her lost mother, triggering Lynn's past trauma. They struggled with psychiatric hospitals, the Appalachian Trail, and residential placements, but Lynn discovered fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, which transformed their lives. It is a story of brokenness, resilience, and hope.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: She Writes Press

Lynn's heart sank as she watched her beloved Clare, a newly adopted child from Haiti, crawl the house in a frantic search for her lost mother. Clare, a preschooler filled with belly laughs and shining smiles, had a tumultuous side as well. She would thrash and wail in her room, her past trauma triggered by the overwhelming emotions. Lynn, too, found herself crouched on her bed, pillow clutched over her head, reliving her own painful experiences.

A pre-teen trip to Haiti had brought sunshine, ruby red hibiscus blooms, and the enchanting music of Haitian Creole. However, upon returning home, Clare's behavior took a dark turn. She shattered mirrors into shards on the subway tiles of their bathroom, a manifestation of her inner turmoil. As Clare approached her thirteenth birthday, she calmly detailed her plan to end her life, a weight that burdened Lynn and her family for years.

The journey ahead was a treacherous one, filled with psychiatric hospitals, long walks along the Appalachian Trail, and numerous residential placements. Marriage, faith, and sanity were tested to their limits as Lynn and her family struggled to survive. But then, like a ray of hope, Lynn stumbled upon fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). It was a revelation that offered a source of understanding and compassion for Clare's neurodivergence.

Through her research, Lynn discovered the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, a strengths-based approach to celebrating and accommodating neurodiversity. It was a transformative discovery that not only helped Clare but also transformed Lynn and her entire family.

Tinderbox is Lynn's story, a tapestry of brokenness, unwavering resilience, and unwavering hope. It is a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Through her journey, Lynn learns to embrace her daughter's unique abilities and finds solace in the support of her family and the community.

The book is a rollercoaster of emotions, from the joy of Clare's achievements to the heart-wrenching moments of despair. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always the possibility of growth and healing. Lynn's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 139 x 217 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647425418