STOLEN SHADOWS is the remarkable story of a family touched by physical disability. It is fiction derived from fact – the characters and storyline are created, but the episodes and challenges described are based on feasible situations. Some details are explicit, especially those concerning medical procedure and sexual intimacy.

Bryan and Lauren McFadden are medical professionals in the field of physiotherapy. They treat patients with most every type of genetic or acquired impairment, including spinal cord injury, severe burns, and amputation, to name a few. Their world revolves around wheelchairs, exercise equipment, orthotics, and people.

As the trilogy unfolds, an explosive accident offers Dr. McFadden first-hand experience to the daily struggles and routines faced by many other severely disabled clients. A new fierce determination to provide whatever means are necessary to rehabilitate her patients finds her in a futile battle against profit-seeking, dictating, organized health programs. Conscience and compassion bring the couple to realize they want something more from their careers. So they build a dream – and a home – for teenagers and young adults with physical disabilities and special needs.

Adam, deaf from abuse and impaired by seizures, is the first teenager to arrive. He's never known a loving family... has never experienced affection. Devon's life is turned upside-down by the death of his only parent and a near-fatal bicycle accident. His foster family, however, cannot deal with his medical needs. Philip witnesses the brutal murder of his father and the suicide of his mother, as he lies dying from a gunshot wound to his back. The injury leaves him paralyzed with a spinal cord injury. It also leaves him emotionally imprisoned in a world with no door and no windows.

Two college students, Buddy and Noah, are recruited to help in the busy household. One of them becomes the victim of a hate crime. And the family will grow--

Mary King is an author that takes a unique approach to disability advocacy. Through her novels and short stories, she enlightens the reader to daily living activities, certain emotional considerations, and personal challenges, faced by people with physical impairments. Her interest in disability issues began in 1982, where she worked in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center in Florida. While much of the work at a rehab center focuses on exercise and finding new ways to manage everyday living skills, there are other lessons to be learned. Socialization is an incredible issue for someone that uses a wheelchair, especially where intimacy and romance encounters are concerned. Unfortunately, society is not always accepting of those people that are different. By direct explanation, she hopes to change some of the views and attitudes commonly associated with the word 'disabled'. Mary puts the reader in realistic situations . . . gives them opportunity to see and understand. This is her first novel in what she hopes will become a series of disability-related stories.

The two therapists went to work, without saying a word. Ms. Tyler took some of her son’s belongings, but lingered outside until Bryan urged her to come into the house.

Lauren gently rubbed the back of Chris’ neck, watched his face. "This is a big step for you, today. It’s all right to be scared, honey." His Adam’s apple rose and fell. "Did you grow up in this house?" She was only going to hug him – something she did quite often with a lot of her patients. But he rested there, nestling his forehead in the curve of her neck.

Tears trickled down his cheeks when he blinked. She visualized him as a little boy running and playing in the big yard. "Those hills back there," she indicated, "Is that where you took your fall?"

All of a sudden he took a stiff breath. Lauren instinctively tightened her arms around him.

"My father -- my father told me not to go out because it was snowing and the storm was getting worse -- but I didn’t listen!" His voice broke. "I didn’t listen --"

"You were wrong to go up there last January; that much you realize," she said, rubbing the rounded part of his shoulder. "What happened with the snowmobile was a terrible price to pay." She held the side of his face with her hand and stroked his cheek with her thumb. "But you survived, sweetheart. I want you to think about all the days you’ve spent with me -- and all the struggling and the progress you’ve made so far."

"There hasn’t been any progress!" he shouted, suddenly angry.

She pulled back easily, not to protest, but to see his face.

"I still can’t do anything! I can’t dress myself! I can’t eat when I want to! I can’t even take a piss without help!" he cried.

"Chris, we talked about the things you’d no longer be able to do on your own. We’ve spent all these weeks working on those skills that you would be able to accomplish."

"What the fuck am I supposed to do when my mother is passed out on the floor!" His nostrils flared and his face was bright with rage.

She turned her head slightly. "What are you talking about, Chris?" He tried to look away. "No, look at me!" And when he wouldn’t, she framed his face with her hands and made him look. He cried differently now, more like a frightened child. "Talk to me!" she demanded.

"My mother -- never took care of Kelsey or me when we were kids," he sniffed uncontrollably. "That was my Dad’s job. She sure as hell isn’t going to stay home and baby-sit me like I am now."

"Your mother has come in on a number of occasions to learn your routines, Chris. I was under the impression that she is willing to take care of you."

"Doctor McFadden." There was a long pause. "My mother is an alcoholic. Sometimes she stays drunk for days, passed out on the couch, the bed, the floor ... And when she’s not home drinking, she’s off – God knows where – screwing around for money. Drunks make great liars. She has everybody fooled with that ‘concerned mother’ act of hers. But once you guys leave, it’s going to be a completely different story."

"Chris, that doesn’t explain, -- " Lauren started to say. "Why would she go to such great lengths -- why would she care one way or another if you came home? It would be simple to make up some excuse as to why she couldn’t take care of you, and turn you over to the state or something like that. Unfortunately, relatives do that all the time in this business," she added.

"I heard her whispering to Kelsey in my room about a month ago; she thought I was sleeping. She said something -- that she was going to use her maiden name and a neighbor’s address, and apply for state help as my caregiver -- she’d fool Medicaid. They’d pay her for taking care of me," Chris explained. "She said it would be easy money in her pocket."

Now it made sense. "Chris, why didn’t you say something to me or one of your therapists before now?"

"Because I was too ashamed. And I knew what kind of trouble it would cause if I said anything. But now I don’t care what happens to her," he sobbed. "I’m scared to stay here."