Sarah Sundin
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing Lynda Young, who has turned her heart for hurting families into the You Are Not Alone series of books for families with children with cancer, with congenital heart defects, and on the autism spectrum. Since April is Autism Awareness Month, this is the perfect time for Lynda to share with us!
Lynda, please tell us about your book, Hope for Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum.
“I feel so alone and no one understands,” say many parents of autistic children. This book provides the soft landing caregivers need dealing with doctor and dental visits, meltdowns, and family dynamics dealing with empty emotional tanks drained by stress. Each chapter provides hope from the Creator.
Lynda Young
What is the primary focus of your book?
If you’ve met one child on the spectrum, you’ve met one child on the spectrum. There are so many variables. Families overwhelmed by stress need information and inspiration from those who’ve walked their journey.
So true! What was the hardest section to write?
How children are bullied and how they feel about themselves. How parents wish for just one friend for their child.
What’s your favorite section in this book?
How Jesus comes alongside families and gives help through others, Scripture, and prayers.
What themes do you return to again and again in your writing?
Be aware of stress factors and how they affect individuals and families through personalities. We need to understand and appreciate each other, to pull together and not apart.
Hope for Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum by Lynda Young
When did you first recognize God’s call to write for him?
When I was volunteering at the Children’s Hospital here in Atlanta. I went to the isolation ward on the oncology floor—and after meeting a special family, God laid on my heart to write a book for parents with their child 24/7 as they went through the cancer therapies.
Why do you write this genre?
My heart always has been for hurting people in various situations.
Tell us about your most touching moment with the reader?
When I had written my book for families with cancer, I got an email from Jerusalem from a mom whose teenage son had cancer. Her brother here had given her my book and she said it touched her deeply even though she was Jewish and I’m a Christian.
What ministries are you involved in and why?
I work with special needs at our church because that is my heart.
What talents do you have aside from storytelling?
I draw portraits for free as God lays people on my heart.
How interesting! Please tell us about your next project.
I just finished and published Hope for Families of Children in Hospitals. It was co-published with the Basket of Hope Ministries dealing with the general population in children’s hospitals.
What a lovely ministry you have, Lynda!
Lynda’s website is being revamped, but you can look for her books at your favorite bookstore!
Writing for Him,
Sarah Sundin
