Wendy L Hooton
#1 International Best Selling Author | Speaker | Down Syndrome Advocate
“I invite you to join me on my journey of
being a mom to the most extraordinary
young man, who happens to have
Down syndrome.”
Book me as your speaker and let's inspire, educate, and ignite meaningful conversations together. Reach out to secure your date!
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
This book was a joy from start to finish. Having a close relative with Down Syndrome myself, I felt so moved and grateful to read this experience. I love the sense of humor, of the encouragement and levity that was able to be maintained through real intense struggle between mother and child as they figure out how to navigate life together. The moments between them as they’re able to communicate with each other were so special to read about, and I loved the way the bond and trust they grew was written about. It can be hard to articulate the combination of struggle and perspective that exists in the Downs Syndrome community and families, and I loved and cherish the way this book invites the reader into their lives. Pulled at my heart in the best ways.
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"Big People Don't Pee in the Park" is the consummate parents' guide for navigating the sweet highs and unexpected lows of parenting a child with Down syndrome. Wendy and Matt will have you rolling on the floor laughing - and at times crying - able to embrace it all with humor and finding exquisite joy in the journey. A must-read!"
Bridget Cook-Burch
New York Times & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
Transformational Trainer & Passionate Humanitarian
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“Big People Don’t Pee in the Park: A Mother and Son’s Journey with Down Syndrome is an inspirational and moving story written with great heart and honesty. The radical authenticity makes it a compelling and amusing read perfect for anyone whose life is touched by Down syndrome.”
Richard Paul Evans,
#1 New York Times Best Selling Author
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“In her amazing book, Big People Don’t Pee in the Park: A Mother and Son’s Journey with Down Syndrome, Wendy Hooton does an outstanding job of going through her experiences and sharing insights. Her humor and stories kept me laughing (she’s a real hoot 😊) and “making my eyes sweat.” I loved every minute of this read. It gave me a better understanding of the lives of my students with special needs outside of my classroom, and most of all, I have a new respect for all of the parents of my students. You are truly my heroes.”
Lena Johnson,
Special Education Teacher
Judge, 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards
BIO
About me,
I’m a product of the sixties who loves music and enjoying life. I do both with the help of my son who puts music in my heart (most days) and makes life fun (most of the time). He comes by it naturally; I think it’s the pizazz in the extra chromosome he was born with. Thirty plus years ago I not only became a mom for the first time, but I became a Down syndrome advocate as well. An unexpected plan for my life, but then I don’t think I’ve ever had a plan that didn’t have a kink in it. Those always seem to be the best ones.​
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Fast forward over three decades and I've fulfilled a dream by publishing a book about my journey with my son. A book about this unplanned journey and the joy and growth that have come with it. My purpose for writing our story is to support other parents who might be going through something similar to what I experienced after my baby was born. To share a message that gives you permission to find humor in your daily life and rise from what may feel impossible. If I manage to teach and inspire others along the way, awesome!
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Truth is, I’m a messy mom, but a mom with a message: we are human. Whether speaking to parents, professionals, educators, or community groups, I remind audiences that we are all connected, always learning, and capable of finding purpose and joy…even in life’s most unexpected chapters. Using my mighty mama bear voice and lots of humor, I share how life’s greatest challenges often reveal our greatest strengths.
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My hardest and greatest achievement is being a mom. My son’s extra chromosome may have rewrote my story, but now I’m on a quest to preserve his. Down syndrome is my constant reminder to…Live, Love, and make each day count...like an extra chromosome.
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~Wendy