I am a storyteller.
Through memoir and personal essay, I tell you my stories. I allow you to see me in hopes you see yourself. These are love letters. Love letters for you. By sharing the many facets of self-discovery, my intention is to provide a space for communion. At times I have been consumed by fear, feeling lost and utterly alone. During those times I reached for story. I became inspired by someone before me who paved a way. By someone sharing their truth, they liberated mine.

We are story.
Our lives are fluid tapestries comprised by stories. As we move forward, we are the artists who create, weaving into our future selves the threads from our past and present. We are a culmination of our experiences. When we dig into our personal histories, our ancestral lines and our belief systems, we uncover aspects we have unknowingly carried with us. As we unravel the subtle threads which color our lives, we gain clarity. We see patterns emerge and invite the wisdom of their teachings into our hearts. Our stories give us the power to transform. As we become willing to see and love ourselves unconditionally, we inspire others to do the same.

Story is everything.
When it’s shared freely, with grace and humility, compassionate connection is birthed. Although the storyteller stands alone their words reach beyond the written page, finding people where they live, they invite them to join a wider circle. We see ourselves in others. In the emotions expressed we find our humanity and rest in the softness of empathy. We are bonded by story, by life, by our experiences. We lay down our shields, our armor and assemble by the fire. Story stokes the flames of the heart, stirring things within us we had long forgotten. It has the power to heal our deepest wounds by allowing ourselves to be comforted. We are given a new perspective which illuminates our path to freedom.

My Story.
The cornerstone of my work is memoir. My book, A Life Suspended, follows my journey as a special needs parent. In an unexpected turn of events, my son’s anxiety reached a heightened state of fight or flight and he began to elope from school. He was labeled as unpredictable and was asked to leave due to safety concerns. Thrust into a sea of doctors and professionals, I tried to understand my son and grasp the new diagnosis he was given, while navigating the intricacies of the educational system. I went from a mother to the full-time manager of my autistic son needs. I became overwhelmed and lost myself in the process. It is a powerful story of the realities of misdiagnosis, behavior treatment plans, resiliency and a mother who was relearning how to trust, not only the world, but also herself.

boy jumping in water, cape cod, a life suspended
stack of books, a life suspended, coffee cup

A LIFE SUSPENDED : A Mother and Son’s Story of Autism, Extinction Bursts and Living a Resilient Life

“A Life Suspended is a guide that will help mother’s of children with autism, or a severe disability, navigate their complex emotions.” ~ Temple Grandin, author Thinking in Pictures

*Available where all books are sold* CLICK on Book tab for more details!

Read, explore and journey inward. My blog consists of personal essays, special needs essays and poetry. The photographic images attached to each entry were taken by me and align with each individual piece of writing. You can also view additional musings on Instagram @nhdwrites and on Facebook at Nicole Hendrick Donovan.