Micro publisher scores four national books awards on Fetal Alcohol

Today was one of those wild even though you have adults with FASD day... appointments and work and all those other things that play into it... At the neurologist/physical therapist I was reading the newspaper - something I rarely do and they were announcing all the Minnesota Book winners and how powerful of writing state we have and how each of the houses won in their excellence and I thought I wish we could do that... and I read.... what good authors we have here and.... Oh I sure wish we could make some inroads... feels like we have icy roads... more helter-skelter of a day... and more demands and spinning out... how come we can't seem to make progress with FASD... this day feels like a tornado in glue....

WELL GUESS WHAT - this little tiny itsy bitsy micro publishers with a niche in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders came home to ---

1. GOLD! Mom's Choice - Parenting Books – Special & Exceptional Needs
Our FAScinating Journey - Keys To Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury (3rd Revisions) from by Jodee Kulp

2. WINNER! The 2012 USA Best Book Awards! - Young Adult - Fiction
The Whitest Wall by Jodee Kulp

3. FINALIST! The 2012 USA Best Book Awards! - Animals/Novelty
Nuzzle - Love Between a Boy and His Service Dog by Donnie Winokur

4. FINALIST! The 2012 USA Best Book Awards! - Health: Addiction & Recovery
Braided Cord - Tough Times In and Out by Liz Kulp

Now if only someone could help me get the word out in a MUCH MUCH MUCH bigger way

... I am humbled

—Jodee

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#10 Days To FASDay - Pass on a fall read

Pass on a fall read to a friend 

you'd like to learn more about 

fetal alcohol... 

Here are a couple curl up to read novels... reviews are appreciated by all authors

• The Whitest Wall by Jodee Kulp 
• Before the Storm by Dianne Chamberlain
• Tiny Titan by Ann Yurcek
• Lies that Bind by Delinda McCann

Click link above to read more or order books from Amazon

Reviews

The Whitest Wall by Jodee Kulp 

The Whitest Wall, a debut novel by Jodee Kulp is the winner of 2009 Best Adult Fiction and 2009 Best Young Adult Fiction by The Mom's Choice Awards Foundation and a finalist for Book of the Year, Multicultural Fiction. The Whitest Wall has meets high school curriculum standards.

Jodee Kulp has created a new third person Catcher in the Rye
Kulp captures the chaotic turmoil of culturally-muddled miscommunication and FAS brain fog of lost-boy Kevin, a 21-year-old going-on-ten jailed for murder, seemingly by his own matter-of-fact confession. The Whitest Wall is a worthy read, a trip into a novel world, written with entertainment quality as vivid as a screenplay with a multitude of metaphors for interpretation and meaning. This tantalizing tale should engage youthful readers and provoke discussion among those of high-school age and older. Caulfield, move over, there is much more to tell!
— Dr. Lyelle Palmer

• "What you don't know won't hurt you is a lie... Fiction, as C.S. Lewis would say, adds to reality, not just describes it. It enriches daily life and irrigates the deserts of our lives. Jodee Kulp is so adept at casting the players in The Whitest Wall and so passionate a story teller you will look at your neighbor through different eyes than ever before."
  — Mac McConnell, author, "Forever Changed", "Bozra""
  
  An inside view of FASD I am overcome with the manner in which Jodee was able to thread together racism, poverty, abuse, fetal alcohol, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder with smoothness that did not confuse the reader."
  — Ruth A. Rice, FASD Program Director, White Earth
  
  "This is a must read book for everyone as it's a topic that has been in the closet for too long. Jodee's book will open everyone's eyes that FASD is a very serious issue that we all need to become better educated about as well as develop services for those impacted by it. I can't wait for Book 2."
  — Glenys DiLissio Executive Director,

The high school version of The Whitest Wall just came to my office by UPS. A Gold Award winning novel by Mom's Choice it meets high school curriculum standards in the following areas while building awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disoroders. Consider it for the high schools in your areas. Email jodeekulp@gmail.com if you are interested in getting this novel into your high school curriculum.

Click here to order High School sample

The Whitest Wall
NATIONAL CURRICULUM STANDARDS


ENGLISH STUDIES

1. The Whitest Wall promotes an understanding of the diversity of the American English language in both a current and historic sense with the use of patterns and dialect.



2. The reader will cross cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions and social roles to acquire new information for a better response to the needs and demands of society and the workplace.



3. The reader will draw on personal experience to reflect on the understanding of the other citizens. They will be challenged by portions of the texts with word meanings and misunderstandings. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

1. Written for the development of a democratic citizenry to enable learners to engage in civic discourse and problem-solving, and to take informed civic action.


2. The Whitest Wall can provide classroom discourse in the seven of ten theme areas:
   i) Culture
   ii) Time, continuity and change
   iii) People, places and environments
   iv) Individual development and identity
   v) Individuals, groups and institutions
   vi) Power, authority and governance
   vii) Global connections
   viii) Civic ideals and practice 

HEALTH STUDIES

1. Students analyze the influence of culture, media, technology and other factors on health.


2. Students demonstrate understanding of health-enhancing behaviors, reduce health risks, use decision-making skills to enhance health and advocate for personal, family and community health.


3. The Whitest Wall provides for opens discussion in content areas addressed by the US Center of Disease Control
   i) behaviors that result in intentional or unintentional injury
   ii) alcohol and other drug use
   iii) sexual behaviors
   iv) prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

#22 Days To FASDay - What One Person Can Do?

What can Only One person do?

From Deb Fjeld - a mom of four children with multiple complex issues and webweaver of www.toolboxparent.com

I was feeling frustrated the other day when I was listening to myself complain about the recent funding cuts going through our state. I realized that I have become so obsessed with trying to find grant moneys for programs that I have lost my focus like I had lost my paying job.

I had the "I'm Only One Person" Syndrome.
I felt that if I don't find grant money for programs, that nothing good can happen and I can't make a difference.

Then, I re-framed my thoughts. (My favorite thing to do next rationalization)

What can one person do to help a family who is struggling?

One person can (without a lot of money or no money which we sometime have):

• be a mentor for a child
• offer support to another parent who is struggling
• create a blog to support other parents
• phone a friend who has tough kids and say I appreciate what you do
• operate a web site to help others
• bring a meal to a sick friend
• offer respite for a family who needs a break (even an hour makes a difference!)
• pray for another who needs help
• join a list serve and share ideas
• call a church, school, government center to ring some bells on 09.09
• get a little assembly together on your county courthouse on 09.09 to talk about FASD
• hold a pregnant pause event at a local restaurant, hotel or bar
• send an encouraging email to one, or all on your email list
• write a book!
• invite a few girlfriends out for coffee and relax!
• read our articles on http://www.toolboxparent.com/
• join a disccussion, ask a question, post a great idea to help professionals and parents of complex kids and intense adults at http://toolboxparent.ning.com/
• write a review for an author who raises tough kids - your input really counts
• HAVE FUN FUN FUN - pay attention to the little miracles every day
• start a 501c3 (then you add a few board members and maybe get a grant)

These are things that don't need a grant.
These are things that make an actual difference in another's life, without costing any money.

I have noticed, though, that I receive much more in return than the effort I gave out.

What else can one person do to help another?? Any ideas we would love your comments.

Deb Fjeld and Jodee Kulp

Look what three parents with a single idea pulled off ten years ag0 and it is still continuing to ring our warnings.

FASDay 1999 began in Auckland, New Zealand, where "Minute of Reflection" bells rang at 9:09 a.m., at Mt. Albert Methodist church. Then it moved to Adelaide, Australia, and then to South Africa, where at 9:09 a.m., Cape Town volunteers gathered to hear the War Memorial Carillon that rang when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Volunteers in Italy, Germany and Sweden held events -- and then FAS Day crossed the Atlantic. Volunteers staged events and bells and carillons rang across Canada and the U.S. The westernmost activity was the community breakfast on the tiny island of Kitkatla, B.C., near the Queen Charlotte Islands, where the village bell rang at 9:09 a.m. followed by prayers in the native tongue by village elders. We missed a few international time zones.

We did it all on $100 in donations, plus thousands of hours of volunteer labor.

It was a labor of love and passionate commitment. We generated as much media attention as a million-dollar public relations campaign, and we made many new friends and supporters in the process. Many women of childbearing age learned for the first time that no amount of alcohol in pregnancy is safe.

All of us knew that in one magic minute, we really did begin to change the world.

Yeah, but...
What can one person do to fight FASD?"

You'd be surprised -- if he or she is working with a world community of people equally committed to eliminating this tragic and totally preventable disorder!

#37 Days To FASDay - Send invitations

SEND INVITATIONS TO YOUR EVENT!

The Invitation can be simple to do.
This can be e-mailed, and personalized as much as possible -- e.g., add a note in your own handwriting.


Here is the link to E-Vite or post it on your FACEBOOK in events and add your friends

(Your letterhead and date)

Dear Friend,

In one “Magic Minute,” on September 9, at 9:09 a.m., you can help us begin to change the world.
Please join us for a breakfast video premiere on September 9, at 8:45 a.m., at (location) as we connect with others around the world who will be observing the second annual International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day.

Researchers now believe that as many as 1 in 100 North Americans are struggling with brain damage caused when their mothers consumed alcohol in pregnancy. This means that right here in (city, town, or region) of the (check number of babies born locally each year) 0000 babies born annually, about 00 will never reach the intellectual potential they possessed when they were conceived.

These children will be at high risk of mental retardation or learning disabilities, school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, alcohol or drug addiction, trouble with the law, incarceration, homelessness, and poverty. Nearly 100% will be diagnosed with mental illness during their lifetimes. Research indicates that each person living with fetal alcohol damage will cost the taxpayers about $2 million in his or her lifetime.

Our FAS Day program will begin with the reading of the civic/(state?) FAS Day proclamation, and then we will join numerous communities in this time zone, in the “Minute of Reflection.” On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of the first year in this new Millennium, we will ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol. We also ask the world to remember those individuals who are struggling with the effects of maternal drinking before they were born.

We feel privileged to offer the premiere of the new (either: all-Canadian video, Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, (24 mins.) (OR) "FAS: Everybody's Baby" (35 mins) distributed by Fasstar Enterprises and John Kellerman, a young man with FAS.

It will be followed by (keynote speaker or panel).

By learning more about FAS, you can help us to make a difference.

Please RSVP (name and number) before (date), and indicate how many people in your group will be attending.

Yours truly,
(Your name and position)

Mom's Choice Gold Fiction Novel - FREE KINDLE - download

Better Endings New Beginnings is offering a FREE fun summer read of "Whitest Wall" our Mom's Choice Gold Award - Best Fiction for Young Adults and Mom's Choice Gold Award - Best Fiction Adults.

To get your FREE DOWNLOAD just click the book cover it will send you right over to Kindle Downloads - Enjoy and let us know how you like it.

"Whitest Wall" meets high school curriculum standards -

 read this summer and think about it for next year's curriculum.

Some current reviews:

The story starts in a small community of Riverdale where a horrible tragedy occurs. Sally find her husband shot to death in the woods near their home and the sheriff knows exactly who did it or does he?


It does seem like all the evidence points to Kevin, but as the story progress's you start to wonder, did he really? 


Is it because of the way he acts and does racism have something to do with it?

As Kevin sits in jail, he starts doing strange things and the sheriff decides he needs to bring in a forensic criminal psychologist to assess Kevin. Dr. Lamar Watkins is hired and as he investigates Kevin we also learn about Lamar's family and his past.

Unfolds a story about families and how similar/different they are to each other.

I really enjoyed reading about the different families and their lives, my favorite was about Q and Gunner. As you read you realize how these families are all intertwined with each other and the end was surprising and sad. 


Also how FASD can affect so many without them knowing it.


http://www.amazon.com/Whitest-Bootleg-Brothers-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B001N0KYSO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1339612093&sr=1-1&keywords=Jodee+Kulp

I am haunted and inspired by your story about life with brain damage

REVIEW BRAIDED CORD

Bravo Liz Kulp. 

I am haunted and inspired by your story about life with the brain damage caused by your birth mom drinking alcohol while she was pregnant with you. There should be a law requiring every girl/woman of childbearing age to read this book before they even think about having sex and/or drinking alcohol if they are sexually active. So many women don't know they are pregnant when they drink. So many women have addiction issues and think they can drink and not hurt their developing babies. So many doctors are ignorant and tell women it's okay to have a drink or two while they are pregnant; they simply don't get it that there is no safe amount or kind of alcohol that can be consumed by a woman who is pregnant, nor is there a safe time during pregnancy when a woman can drink. Your life is a heartbreaking testimony to that fact that drinking while pregnant is not unlike taking a sledge hammer to the tender head and brain of your developing baby, and your willingness to share your pain, trauma, abuse, addiction, and recovery makes you a hero. You and your precious parents are brave and tireless and I appreciate all that you do to get the word out about this 100% preventable, 0% curable brain damage: FASD.
 

Carey Sipp


Mom's Choice Gold Award - Non Fiction - Life Challenges
TO VISIT LIZ'S WEBSITE www.BraidedCord.net  or www.BetterEndings.org
TO ORDER HER BOOK  https://www.createspace.com/3436934


READ FIVE MORE REVIEWS 
AT ABOUT.COM SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
http://specialchildren.about.com/u/reviews/rca2011/reviewbraidedcord/Braided-Cord-5.htm

Braided Cord - Tough Time In and Out Finalist for About.com Memoirs

We were surprised yesterday that Liz's new book Braided Cord is a finalist in About.com. You can vote once a day for as many days as you like between now and March 8, 2011. Liz shares her adult transition with fetal alcohol to build understanding and hopefully create a catalyst of strategies for the next generation of affected young people.

Just click here and vote: Braided Cord
(Please consider joining us in helping her win this award - all it takes is a quick click!) Braided Cord

If you want a copy of her book click here

List Price: $24.95

6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
Black & White on White paper
320 pages

Better Endings New Beginnings
ISBN-13: 978-0984200719
ISBN-10: 0984200711
BISAC: Self-Help / Substance Abuse & Addictions / General

I was born an addict and ever since I was tiny I have overdone, overlooked or overwhelmed myself. I was born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, otherwise known as FASD. That means my mom drank while I was trying to grow in her stomach and because of her drinking some of my parts got mixed up and didn't grow too well. My differences are hidden and that's a real pain, because it is easy to judge a person by what you see.
The most difficult parts of my life are caused from my brain which was probably the most affected. I have trouble learning new things and I live in a world that is louder, softer, harder, scratchier, noisier, shakier, slippery and more chaotic than most of the people reading this. I want you to imagine what it is like to feel the seams of your socks, the label on your clothes, the flicker of fluorescent lights, the mumblings and rumblings of every noise around you, and then try to learn new things.
Overwhelming.
Yes, that is what it is often for me.
My mom's drinking ripped away who I was to be and helped create who I am today and what I am able to be. If she had known how it would change my life I bet she would have made a different choice. But she didn't, and we can't change how things are. I am as I am. I can't even talk to her about it. She's dead. I was a foster baby and then adopted.
...
I had to fail first in order to succeed.
And I failed over,
and over,
and over again.
...
I am just one of hundreds of thousands of people whose lives are affect each year by alcohol consumption before breathing your first breath of air. For those of you who were not pickled before birth, who believe you are wiser than I am, I ask you to take my thoughts and use your brains to make a difference.