Braided Cord: Tough Times In and Out

by Liz Kulp, Jodee Kulp, Karl Kulp

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.

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Jodee Kulp, is the author or co-author of eight books supporting healthy and creative approaches to living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. She is an international and national speaker to help families and professionals balance the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs of a person with this disability to allow for healthy community living. It is with sincere hope The Whitest Wall - her debut novel will herald further public understanding."

Reviews

[Elizabeth Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, detailing Liz’s transition from adolescence to adulthood while living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), is both eye-opening and brutally honest. It is a must-read in order to understand the lifelong challenges that accompany FASDs from someone who knows best – someone who lives with these challenges every day. Liz’s decision to tell her story is not only brave and moving, but essential to advance the understanding of FASDs. In order to move forward in the prevention, identification, and treatment of FASDs, we need to better understand the full picture of living with FASDs and this one story is one more step in that direction. Congratulations to Liz for her bravery, openness, and honesty in telling her story.

[Devin Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was definitely an interesting read, one I think many could benefit from reading.

My only objection to it was the lack of editing. As a non-native reader of English with ADD, I found it hard to follow the text at times since it was not always clear when the subject changed. There were also grammar errors and typos which I would have rather not seen, though I can understand why they were left in.

I would definitely want to read more about Liz.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent of a child dealing with the ups and downs of life with FASD, this book was phenomenally useful. It really helped me to gain perspective. It was like hearing my daughter speak out. Only she's never been able to use words as well. Thank you Liz for helping me to understand. Thank you also for raising awareness and being such a good advocate for others with FASD. Kuddos to you and your mom for your groundbreaking work!

[Toni Ladd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who has a child with FASD should read this.