Amanda Owen has always been a go-getter and a dream-chaser. Recently, she made another goal come to fruition: write and publish a book.
Owen, the Executive Director of Puzzle Pieces, self-published an e-book titled, “Blessings in Disguise: The Emotional Impact of Having a Sibling with a Disability.”
The book, she said, captures the heart of her real, raw and emotional journey of growing up with a brother who has a chromosome disability.
“While I have always dreamed of authoring a book, the real purpose of this book is to start a conversation,” she said. “So many times I felt alone growing up with no one to relate to, keeping my emotions hidden inside. I hope this book inspires other siblings to know it’s okay to cycle through a range of emotions — fear, hate, jealousy, embarrassment — when it comes to adjusting to life with a sibling who has a disability.”
Owen said growing up she never connected with siblings that were like her, so she felt very alone.
“No one could ever understand what it was like living with a brother who had a disability,” she said. “I could never explain it.”
After delivering her first keynote address last fall, Owen realized she wanted to reach out to people and hopefully start that conversation — about how having a sibling with a disability puts a weight on children.
Owen said the impact of this book is unlimited.
The e-book is available for purchase on Owen’s website peicesofme.org or on Amazon. It can also be downloaded on the Kindle app.
Owen said this book was more like journaling her experiences.
“Putting words to paper and then reading it back was a little hard to hear,” she said. “But to make a difference and an impact, if this starts a conversation with one person then I feel like it’s successful.”
She said she hopes other people reading the book see it as a way to learn and be able to offer understanding before they cast judgment.
“My journey has just begun — in creating my own momentum maybe that can help other people to live out their goals and dreams for whatever that looks like for them. It’s been a process but I have some great people around me to push me and make me dream big so that makes it a little easier.”
