An Unexpected Normal
Raising a Child with Special Needs
Available Now!
Faced with the possibility of losing their three-day-old second child when she contracts meningitis, Normann 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 prevail 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.
ORDER NOW:
“This memoir, written in articulate, conversational prose and packed with comprehensive medical information that should be useful for fellow travelers, is at times an emotionally-challenging read. But readers will also share in the family’s joy when KiKi smiles or giggles, exhibits her determination to communicate while not able to speak, and expresses her obvious love for each member of her family.
Heartwarming, painful, and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Review
“An Unexpected Normal is a heartfelt memoir, and Angelini conveys her emotions with unflinching honesty, sharing moments of fear, guilt, and exhaustion alongside tenderness and pure love, allowing readers in on a deeply human level. . . she brings her family’s daily life vividly to the page. Beautiful, and very highly recommended.”
—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star Review
Intimate depiction of maternal love, grief, and caring for a special-needs child.
Angelini writes with rare candor about the challenges of raising a special-needs child and, eventually, facing tragic loss. She shares clear-eyed accounts of the practicalities of the “unexpected normal” that became her family’s life—learning to care for KiKi, handling her sporadic seizures, and fearing each morning that she might not wake up—while also digging into difficult truths in reflective passages. With piercing detail and welcome wisdom, Angelini covers personal struggles with her faith, exhaustion-fueled arguments with her husband, Normann, guilt over feeling that she neglected her older daughter Marina's mental health struggles, and the fear of being “a failure as a mother.”
—BookLife Review
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. Rita Angelini is an extraordinary storyteller whose compelling work inspires and connects with readers. Her book has the power to motivate and uplift those facing similar challenges, showcasing resilience and hope.
—MidWest 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, actress and author of Jesse
An Unexpected Normal celebrates family, acceptance, tenacity, joy, and love in the face of the unexpected and the unknown. You will fall in love with the indomitable KiKi and her parents.
—Ann Hood, author of Comfort: A Journey Through Grief
An Unexpected Normal
Essays Published in Anthologies
Eighty-three survivors of Hurricane Ian share their stories of suffering, persistence, and ingenuity. Telling their stories was one step toward recovery.
Rita’s short story, “It Wasn’t Coming Here” outlines the reason we stayed and the horror we experienced that fateful day as our neighborhood was destroyed by the storm.
Published Independently in July 2023
Meaningful Conflicts
Published April, 2023
This anthology sponsored by Off Campus Writers’ Workshop inspired authors to reach their writing goals. Forty-nine authors contributed to this silver award-winning collection of stories by Foreward Review in the Anthology category
Rita’s story, “Cool Mom,” delves into the complex relationship between a mother and a daughter who has a sibling with special needs.
How I Met my Mother
Published February, 2022
I’m one of 16 authors who have an essay in this wonderful short-story collection of unexpected beginnings and second chances. It’s full of feisty, courageous, funny, and magical stories of love.
Rita’s short story, “He’s a Keeper” delves further into Normann and my relationship though numerous breakups creating the strong foundation to handle raising a child with special needs.
Turning Points
Published May, 2021
This anthology celebrated the 75th anniversary of Off Campus Writers’ Workshop. Forty-three authors contributed to the collections of stories.
Rita’s story, “Screensaver,” is loosely based on my decision whether to stay in corporate America after the death of my daughter or find a deeper purpose in life.