Past Heaven is an endearment my husband told me when we fell in love. That we found a love that was “past heaven.”
My father helped to shut down the last state-run institution for people with disabilities in Maryland. He is my inspiration behind Jack Atwater’s character.
My brother has developmental disabilities and when he was born, doctors told my parents he should be institutionalized. They disagreed and moved across the country to find a school that would accept him. Today he is married to a woman with Down syndrome, lives in a home with his wife, and works a full time job.
Jacksonville, Maryland is the setting for the majority of Past Heaven. This is where I live and Hydes Field, Bagelemeister, and Strapasta are all places my family frequents. My kids also attend the local elementary school like Liz’s children.
My favorite restaurant is Woodberry Kitchen, where Liz and Reynolds have their celebratory dinner!
The Warren agency, written about in the book as the place where Jack worked, is modeled after the ARC Baltimore, an agency that provides services to my brother and countless other individuals with developmental disabilities.
Cindy was my absolute favorite character to write!
My father helped to shut down the last state-run institution for people with disabilities in Maryland. He is my inspiration behind Jack Atwater’s character.
My brother has developmental disabilities and when he was born, doctors told my parents he should be institutionalized. They disagreed and moved across the country to find a school that would accept him. Today he is married to a woman with Down syndrome, lives in a home with his wife, and works a full time job.
Jacksonville, Maryland is the setting for the majority of Past Heaven. This is where I live and Hydes Field, Bagelemeister, and Strapasta are all places my family frequents. My kids also attend the local elementary school like Liz’s children.
My favorite restaurant is Woodberry Kitchen, where Liz and Reynolds have their celebratory dinner!
The Warren agency, written about in the book as the place where Jack worked, is modeled after the ARC Baltimore, an agency that provides services to my brother and countless other individuals with developmental disabilities.
Cindy was my absolute favorite character to write!
