Born different, a boy struggles. His story draws you in. So, too, does his mother’s relentless quest. From the fight for an appropriate education through the fight for his life as he enters the harrowing world of addiction, a mother’s passion for her son’s equal rights and her unshakable belief in his potential seep through the pages as does her coming to terms with her own flaws.
The boy’s poetry—undiscovered in his lifetime—is intertwined, depicting the inner life of a person underestimated and, in many ways, unknown.
Faced with bitter disappointments and often insurmountable obstacles, mother and son cope with adversity, although each in their own way and sometimes in opposition. Also obvious in their story is the bond between them, a bond based upon unconditional love, with their candid communications—often laden with strife but not without humor—as evidence of that bond.
From the discovery of a drug that initially provided needed relief to the pure hell of addiction—exploitation, humiliation, punishment—and from homelessness and jail cells to rehab and a wanderlust fueled by the relentless quest to belong, his young manhood is full of heartache but also of grit, determination, and the capacity to love and forgive and the will to keep fighting against the odds.
The second edition of Cover My Dreams in Ink includes two new features: An additional section of Paul’s poetry comprising fifteen poems as yet unseen; and an expanded Epilogue, providing a more substantive account of our nation’s drug crisis and the reforms needed to make a difference. While sharing her story , the pages to the second edition brings a new light into Paul’s life, and resources accounted to help others. Inspiring sensitivity for those who are different, compassion for those whose battles arise from uncontrollable circumstances rather than faults of character, this story drives home the urgency for drug policy reform.
Inspired by all she learned through her son’s tragic death; Dunleavy find herself increasingly in the role of activist. With firsthand knowledge of the harms inflicted by the war on drugs—particularly for vulnerable populations—she champions policies based on human rights and scientific research and is committed to combating stigma and other impediments to reducing the harms of drug use.
While lending her voice through opinion editorials, speaking engagements, broadcast interviews, and social media, she has joined forces with like-minded groups at the national, state, and local levels including the Maryland Harm Reduction Action Network. She is certified by the Maryland State Department of Health as a Master Presenter on the Stages of Change, and advocates for her cause within the Maryland General Assembly.
Her work as a school administrator for thirty years entailed community outreach as well as written communication including newsletters, website content, and a blog in which she offered general parenting advice. She owns a master’s degree in library and information science from The University of Maryland, College Park, where she served as an academic librarian for nearly a decade at the outset of her career.
She lives in her hometown, Annapolis, MD.
Jessie Dunleavy, author of the second edition Cover My Dreams in Ink, will be released July 1, 2021, and is now available on our website and other best booksellers. You can find more information about Dunleavy and her work on her website today.
