Thea Calzoni is the parent and carer of Julian, her 34-year-old son who is a happy young man with an intellectual disability.

In telling her journey from mothering an infant child, to becoming a full-time carer with the needs of another outweighing her own, Dancing with the Maternal Bond captures both the challenges and brilliances of every experience in-between.

Thea’s memoir will be launched by The Hon. Jill Hennessy at the start of National Carers Week, 10 – 16 October 2021; a significant time to celebrate and recognise the 2.65 million Australians who support others with a disability.

The release of Dancing with the Maternal Bond will be an important contribution in raising awareness among Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles, not just within the week, but all-year round.

“There is freedom for me in the birth of this memoir. It reveals my journey of caring, while giving me respite while I launch our story. Being able to accept my son’s disability has been the key to appreciating what strength he shows in making the best of his limited ability to speak and act,” said Thea.

Thea writes with passionate honesty about living with a disabled son, striving to prepare Julian for a world which is often confusing.  From marital tensions to helping her son find an intimate partner, Thea’s memoir is a homage to the community that supports people with disability and their carers.

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The story presents a unique and intimate perception of motherhood and the raw truth of life as a caregiver, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her son.

Thea’s story will resonate with anyone who has courageously soared in their lives and will provide fellow caregivers with inspiration and assurance that their own experiences are acknowledged and appreciated.

Director of VALID Kevin Stone fondly describes Dancing with the Maternal Bond as a “must-read for any parent, and especially parents of a child with disability. It chronicles the experience of a young mother coming to terms with the reality of her child's disability and explores a range of controversial issues, including the right of people with a disability to sexual expression, with deep understanding and profound humanity. This is neither an academic treatise nor a moralising sermon. It is a mother talking about her very personal parenthood journey, and sharing with us what she has learned along the way.”

Dancing with the Maternal Bond by Thea Calzoni is available from Monday 4 October, 2021 at Fairfield Books, Brunswick Bound and by order at local libraries and bookshops.

Also available online from Bad Apple Press - https://badapplepress.com.au/shop-books/

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