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Unexpected Normal - by  Rita Angelini (Paperback) - 1 of 1

Unexpected Normal - by Rita Angelini (Paperback)

$17.99

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About this item

Highlights

  • A beacon of hope for parents of children with disabilities, Angelini tells the story of a Chicago couple that learns unconditional love, complete acceptance, true compassion, and a new definition of normal after their baby is diagnosed with cerebral palsy.Faced with the possibility of losing their three-day-old second child when she contracts meningitis, Norman and Rita Angelini experience all five stages of grief.
  • About the Author: Rita Angelini is a retired Certified Public Accountant who now pursues her passion for writing full time.
  • 368 Pages
  • Biography + Autobiography, Personal Memoirs

Description



Book Synopsis



A beacon of hope for parents of children with disabilities, Angelini tells the story of a Chicago couple that learns unconditional love, complete acceptance, true compassion, and a new definition of normal after their baby is diagnosed with cerebral palsy.Faced with the possibility of losing their three-day-old second child when she contracts meningitis, Norman and Rita Angelini experience all five stages of grief. Terrified for their daughter, they bargain, plead, and beg for a miracle--and they get one, but it isn't what they expected: though KiKi survives, her illness results in severe brain damage, and she is ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

In the aftermath of this diagnosis, denial and anger take over. Rita fights to keep her vision of who she thinks KiKi could be, and she channels her energy into searching for a procedure--some therapy--that would change KiKi's outcome. In pursuit of a cure, the Angelini family treks across the United States and abroad--but somewhere along the way, acceptance of and joy in who KiKi is prevails over the idea of "fixing" her.

A memoir of unending hope, faith lost and rediscovered, and unconditional love, An Unexpected Normal offers other parents of children born with a disability hope that joy is always within reach--even in the most challenging of circumstances.



Review Quotes




"Heartwarming, painful, and inspiring."--Kirkus Reviews

"Angelini conveys her emotions with unflinching honesty, sharing moments of fear, guilt, and exhaustion alongside tenderness and pure love."--Readers' Favorite, 5-star review

"Intimate depiction of maternal love, grief, and caring for a special-needs child."--BookLife Reviews

"An Unexpected Normal is a heartfelt memoir that emphasizes hope, love, and acceptance. It reassures parents of children with disabilities that happiness and fulfillment are possible despite profound challenges."--Midwest Book Review

"An Unexpected Normal is a testimony to the importance of community, told with clarity and emotion by a warrior mother who never gives up."--Marianne Leone, author of Jesse



About the Author



Rita Angelini is a retired Certified Public Accountant who now pursues her passion for writing full time. An Unexpected Normal won Silver for "Unpublished Memoir" in the 2022 Royal Palm Literary Competition, and Rita has published four short essays in four anthologies: Storm Stories Hurricane Ian, Meaningful Conflict, Turning Points, and How I Met My Other. She is also a member of multiple writers associations. When not writing, she enjoys volunteering with the disabled, boating on the Gulf, and traveling the country in her RV. Rita lives in Fort Myers, Florida.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.41 Inches (H) x 5.51 Inches (W) x 1.11 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.0 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 368
Genre: Biography + Autobiography
Sub-Genre: Personal Memoirs
Publisher: She Writes Press
Format: Paperback
Author: Rita Angelini
Language: English
Street Date: February 17, 2026
TCIN: 1005651925
UPC: 9781647428440
Item Number (DPCI): 247-45-8292
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1.11 inches length x 5.51 inches width x 8.41 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii

Return details

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Q: How does the author depict her emotional journey?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
  • A: The author honestly shares her experiences of grief, fear, and ultimately finding joy in her daughter's life.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What is the main theme of the memoir?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
  • A: The memoir explores unconditional love, acceptance, and redefining normalcy for parents of children with disabilities.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What inspired Rita Angelini to write this memoir?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
  • A: Her passion for writing is fueled by her personal experiences as a mother facing extraordinary challenges with her daughter.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What challenges do the Angelini family face?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
  • A: They confront the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and navigate the emotional turmoil of a severe illness in their child.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: Is the book intended for a specific audience?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
  • A: Yes, it primarily targets parents of children with disabilities, offering hope and understanding through shared experiences.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 12 days ago
    Ai generated

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