My Wonky Kid

The true, heartbreaking struggle of a boy’s journey from childhood to adulthood is captured here through the eyes of his mother. This compelling and moving journey follows Sam through the onset of the emotional and behavioural disorder that shadows him through preschool, primary, and secondary education, along with the exclusions they incur. The damaging spiral of rejection continues through behavioural correction centres and residential school – and, as he gets older, college, drugs, violence, attempted suicides, law courts, and ultimately prison. It is also an inspirational story of a family brought to the edge of endurance; of bonds stretched to the breaking point; of a stepfather’s struggle to let go of his own child, accept two others, and learn to love again; and of a brother’s indomitable resilience to rise above the all-encompassing chaos and destruction surrounding him, to survive and succeed on his own path. Sam’s long, uncompromising determination to push everyone and everything away met his mother’s equally unwavering determination to fight, not only for her son but for her family. He has been her greatest teacher. Poignant, thought-provoking, and intense, this raw, no-holds-barred story will make you laugh and cry.