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SOMETHING SPECIAL BE: A gay brother. A disabled brother. A vengeful brother. A war.
When a man with Down syndrome decides to live with his gay brother, members of his family try to stop him. An unforgettable true story.
Ranked #1 on LGBTQ+ Memoirs & Biographies
In sunny, sexy Los Angeles, Aaron Flynn is living his best life with his brother Hugh and Hugh's boyfriend. It's an idyllic time for the three men except for one Aaron isn't receiving his money. His bank account, and his disability benefits, are being controlled by another sibling on the East Coast.
When Aaron requires urgent surgery, Hugh realizes he lacks legal authority to help his brother make medical decisions. With the missing money already a concern, and with Aaron's desire to stay permanently, Hugh petitions for a limited conservatorship.
Their family explodes. Objections are filed, and efforts get underway to remove Aaron from his happy life in Los Angeles. The conflict escalates, and what starts as an effort to do the right thing, turns into a fight to defend a disabled man's right to live where and with whom he chooses.
Something Special Be is Hugh Flynn's raw, sardonic, and scathing memoir about the right to self-determination, and why—well into the 21st century—it remains such a volatile issue. Complex, intimate, and highly personal, this unflinching journey explores the intersection of unconditional love, devotion, and the fight for justice. It’s a story for our times, and one you will never forget.
“A story about love, familial and chosen … Prepare to be inspired.” Melissa Suggitt, IBR
In sunny, sexy Los Angeles, Aaron Flynn is living his best life with his brother Hugh and Hugh's boyfriend. It's an idyllic time for the three men except for one Aaron isn't receiving his money. His bank account, and his disability benefits, are being controlled by another sibling on the East Coast.
When Aaron requires urgent surgery, Hugh realizes he lacks legal authority to help his brother make medical decisions. With the missing money already a concern, and with Aaron's desire to stay permanently, Hugh petitions for a limited conservatorship.
Their family explodes. Objections are filed, and efforts get underway to remove Aaron from his happy life in Los Angeles. The conflict escalates, and what starts as an effort to do the right thing, turns into a fight to defend a disabled man's right to live where and with whom he chooses.
Something Special Be is Hugh Flynn's raw, sardonic, and scathing memoir about the right to self-determination, and why—well into the 21st century—it remains such a volatile issue. Complex, intimate, and highly personal, this unflinching journey explores the intersection of unconditional love, devotion, and the fight for justice. It’s a story for our times, and one you will never forget.
“A story about love, familial and chosen … Prepare to be inspired.” Melissa Suggitt, IBR
596 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 17, 2025
Incredibly inspiring - Magnificent read
I was riveted! Sometimes I had to put it down for awhile because it was too much for my heart to take! Such a story - a true story! So much love, so much hilarity, so much pain and sorrow. Hugh Flynn is an artist, you will not be disappointed.
I was riveted! Sometimes I had to put it down for awhile because it was too much for my heart to take! Such a story - a true story! So much love, so much hilarity, so much pain and sorrow. Hugh Flynn is an artist, you will not be disappointed.
June 14, 2025
Awesome
As the parent of a special needs adult, my heart was in this fight all the way. Well-written, emotionally engaging. Congrats to Aaron and Hugh for a war well-fought and deservedly won!!! ❤️
As the parent of a special needs adult, my heart was in this fight all the way. Well-written, emotionally engaging. Congrats to Aaron and Hugh for a war well-fought and deservedly won!!! ❤️
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews