The Five Goodbyes

About the Book

When Molly was born, the Hansons didn't feel capable of raising their child with special needs. They had Molly baptized in the hospital and left empty handed, expecting to nurse broken hearts for a lifetime. But two days later, the Hansons went back to get Molly and bring her home. This is the story of the many goodbyes they have said to Molly throughout her young life. It is also the story of the challenges they've faced obtaining social services. It is a triumphant story of how the family -- including Molly -- has survived and thrived.

About the Author

Pat Ferguson Hanson lives in Stillwater, Minnesota and teaches communications at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She is married to artist-educator Jim Hanson, with whom she has three teenage daughters. Pat claims Minneapolis as her hometown. She began her career as a journalist and spent over ten years as a member of the U.S. Foreign Service. While in the diplomatic corps, Pat served as Assistant Cultural Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Greece. Tommy and Me is Pat's second memoir. Her first, The Five Goodbyes, Mothering My Child With Down Syndrome, was published in 2003.