Yearning for Normal

By: Susan Ellison Busch

Narrated by: Susan Ellison Busch

This award-winning memoir tells a mother's story of raising her son Michael, who was born missing a submicroscopic piece of chromosome 22. That tiny missing fragment of DNA affected every aspect of his life physically, mentally, and spiritually. Michael's mother describes her adventures and misadventures with the medical system, educational system, and legal systems during his growing up years. She also describes her own internal struggles and wrestling matches with God. While Michael and his mother were both yearning for normal through their struggles, they were also learning acceptance and love.

©2013 Susan Ellison Busch (P)2016 Susan Ellison Busch

I was desperate…

In a desperate search for help, I found this book.

I can barely put into words how much this book has changed my life, my son’s life and our entire family. For most of my son’s life I’ve kept my head buried in the sand about his 22q. I have felt overwhelmingly hopeless and lost on how to help him or even what to do.

This book truly opened our eyes up to what 22q really is and how it can deeply affect the person who has it. No amount of discipline or punishment will fix them.

My son, Pillar James, is almost 10 years old. I have been too hard on him most of his life. Hoping he would “outgrow” 22q. But only to have a revelation that all I can offer him is love and acceptance. And this book taught me that.
Love and acceptance is all we can give instead of constantly pointing out what they are doing wrong and trying to fix them. We must look past all of the inconveniences it causes our life. We must look higher. Instead of begging God for my convenient normal, I want to learn how to except Pillar’s normal.

Thank you so much for sharing the most agonizing parts of your life with the world. I do not take that lightly and I will forever appreciate you for that.

I recommend this book to ANYONE with a child who has 22q. It’s beautiful insight and wisdom on how to accept 22q.

Be warned… get a tissue box! Not just A tissue but the whole box! You’re gonna need it. I cried my eyes out many times while listening. And I needed to! There is sooo much freedom and healing in crying. It was sooooo refreshing to know I’m not alone and neither is Pillar.

Thank you so much for sharing Mikey’s story with the world.
All honor and glory to God for giving us an unusually beautiful gift in 22q.

Sincerely
Sam Rogers

P.S. Mikey if you ever publish your book, I want to be the first one to buy it!