The Abbott Family’s True Story of Hope After Hearing Loss
Little Bridget’s words and behaviors have changed, but no one seems to notice - except her older sister. She notices everything. When the rest of her family finally recognize that Bridget has been ignoring the world around her and inventing her own language, everyone begins a journey they never expected.
Padapillo Is Now Available At Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss and other Retailers, including: Amazon, Barnes & Noble (B&N), Books-A-Million (BAM), Author-signed copies or bulk discounts? Click here for more information: DIRECT ORDERS
Now Available in SPANISH!
With the generous support of the Lions Club of Mechanicsville, Padapillo (Edición en español) was published in June 2022 - helping us achieve our goal of reaching Latino and Hispanic communities who are at increased risk of pediatric hearing loss and late-identification.
Order today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (B&N), Books-A-Million (BAM), Author-signed copies or bulk discounts? Click here for more information: DIRECT ORDERS
MORE THAN A MOM ON A MISSION
Well, hello! I’m so glad you found me here.
In my debut book, Padapillo, readers follow the journey of a young family as they discover and come to terms with their child’s unforeseen, mysterious hearing loss. This engaging story is based on our family’s experience and explores the real-life experiences, doubts, and emotions that often follow a disability diagnosis and demonstrates how families can overcome challenges together.
In addition to being an inspirational story of transformation and hope, Padapillo also includes an index of national agencies, organizations, and resources that are dedicated to helping families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing find the support and information they may need to move forward.
In 2022, the Lions Club of Mechanicsville, Virginia generously offered to sponsor the Spanish edition of Padapillo. I am deeply grateful for this gift and hope you will help us get copies of Padapillo (Edición en español) into your community.
“I originally wrote Padapillo for our family — but as we shared the story with others we realized that we had created a tangible gift of hope that audiologists, early intervention providers, special education teachers, and others could offer parents as they begin their own journey with infant or childhood hearing loss.”
— Valerie James Abbott, author and mother of a child who was diagnosed with hearing loss at age 2.
What People Are Already Saying…
“A WONDERFUL TOOL FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH FAMILIES - ANY FAMILY FACING SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WILL FIND THIS STORY INSPIRING AND FULL OF PROMISE.”
— Dr. Johnnie Sexton, Au.D. Executive Director/Founder, The CARE Project
“...A BEAUTIFULLY-WRITTEN AND EMOTIONALLY-COMPELLING STORY. THIS BOOK IS BOUND TO BECOME A STANDARD RESOURCE AND WILL SURELY HELP MANY FAMILIES THROUGH THE UNCERTAINTY AND WORRY AFTER RECEIVING A DIAGNOSIS OF HEARING LOSS FOR THEIR CHILD.”
- Lori L. Bobsin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Coordinator, Aural Habilitation Program at the University of Virginia Cochlear Implant Team
“THIS BOOK CAN HELP FAMILIES UNDERSTAND AND PROCESS THE IMPACT ON THE WHOLE FAMILY WHEN ONE CHILD IS IDENTIFIED AS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING.”
- Dr. Lilach Saperstein, Audiologist, podcaster, and parent coach.
"PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OFTEN FEEL MOTIVATED TO PAY IT FORWARD AND TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE HOPE IT MAY HELP ANOTHER FAMILY. IN THIS DELIGHTFUL BOOK, VALERIE SHOWS US THE ART AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING OUR VOICE, AND SHARING OUR STORY, AT A TIME WHEN GRIEF AND DOUBT MAY HAVE SILENCED IT."
— Dana Yarbrough, Assistant Director, Partnership for People with Disabilities and Director, Center for Family Involvement, Virginia Commonwealth University
“EVERY FAMILY NEEDS THIS BOOK AT THE TIME OF DIAGNOSIS. THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY OFFERS A GLIMPSE OF A FUTURE THAT IS POSSIBLE, AT A TIME WHEN THE JOURNEY AHEAD SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE.”
- Ashleigh Greenwood, Pediatric Audiologist
“FAMILIES WILL LOVE THIS BOOK AND PHYSICIANS, AUDIOLOGISTS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS WILL BE INSPIRED TO SHARE IT WITH FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS.”
- Deana McGuire Buck, M.Ed., CDC’s Act Early Ambassador for Virginia and Affiliate Faculty Member, Virginia Commonwealth University
“THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY REFLECTS THE COMPASSION, LOVE, AND FORTITUDE THAT VALERIE AND HER FAMILY HAVE MODELED IN THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE. THE ENDURING MESSAGE SHE PRESENTS IN THIS BOOK IS THAT WITH LOVE, EDUCATION AND SUPPORT ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”
- Erin Mahone, Author, Mental Health Advocate and Founder of the If You Could See Me Project
“AWARENESS IS ONE OF THE GREAT KEYS TO EMPATHY. WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK TO CHILDREN YOU GIVE THEM A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT LIFE IS LIKE FOR THEIR FRIENDS WHO HAVE HEARING LOSS.”
- Amy B. McCoy, award winning author of Little Big Sister and Little Big Sister on the Move
