What Happened to Normal?

Jessie's world implodes when her eight-year-old son is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This life-threatening, incurable illness sends Jessie reeling into a "new normal" that feels anything but normal. This sudden halt to life as she knew it leaves Jessie questioning everything she once believed in, from her faith to her friendships. Determined to raise her son to be strong and independent in the face of adversity, Jessie refuses to back down from the challenges forced upon her. Along the way, she discovers an inner strength and resolve she didn't know she possessed.

What Happened to Normal follows Jessie's journey from the moment she suspects something is wrong with her son to the moment she sends him off to college. This story explores how this diagnosis impacts her parenting, her friendships, her beliefs and how she manages her own fears while instilling confidence and independence in her son. While this story centers around type 1 diabetes, parents will relate to these characters on multiple levels.

"Lori's novel does a wonderful job of describing what it is like to be a parent caring for a child with T1D. She describes the importance of community support and the ways families can get involved with organizations like Breakthrough T1D as they navigate diagnosis and day-to-day management. This is a truthful, honest read that is also hopeful and inspiring. We appreciate Lori's dedication, not only to her family and Breakthrough T1D, but to the entire type 1 diabetes community" - Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, CEO Breakthrough T1D

"Lori captures the grief, uncertainty, growth and ultimate joy of a mom's journey through her child's type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Reading Jessie's story brought back all the emotions of my experience as the mom of a T1D and reminded me of the value of community when going through any kind of traumatic life event." - Jennifer Bennett (find out how she wants to be listed)

"This book isn't just about type one diabetes. It's about the depths of a mother's love, and how we can be the fiercest advocates for our children. And sometimes we need a tribe of women and mothers to help us see it through. I hope I would be lucky enough to be part of Jessie's tribe." - Megan Ritchie, Mom to Peri, age 9