Cynthia Schulz is a champion for disability parenting. With more than 40 years of experience as a mother raising four children, one with developmental disabilities, she is a voice to be reckoned with. Her book Shine On: Raising Our Kids with Disabilities to Lead Bright, Happy Lives won an IndieReader Discovery Award in Nonfiction.
After a long career as a corporate communications executive helping CEOs and leaders find the right words when the stakes were high, Schulz is now focused on making life better for families touched by disabilities. A storyteller at heart, she brings wisdom, warmth, humor, and unvarnished truth to disability parenting through stories of families raising children to live full lives. She speaks to educators, healthcare professionals, and business and community leaders, bringing a parent perspective that deepens empathy and drives meaningful change.
We spoke with Schulz about her disability parenting journey, her insights on empowering families, and why she loves historical fiction.
When did you realize this book needed to exist?
I knew this book needed to exist as I met many young mothers early in the journey of raising a child with disabilities. I realized I had four decades of experience I could share to help them. Having walked in their shoes, I knew how much they needed this book.
What did writing this book teach you about yourself that surprised you?
Writing my first book taught me that indeed I can figure out how to do something I’ve never done before. I’m a writer by profession with a long career as a corporate communication executive. I’m confident as a writer, but I didn’t know the first thing about the book business. I spent six months, probably longer, doing a deep dive into all the different publishing options, scouting the competitive landscape, understanding the book writing process, and thinking deeply about the reader I was writing for. I really enjoyed the time I spent writing, and when I finished (whoopie!), I thought I was done. Little did I realize how much work I'd need to devote to promoting my book and getting it into the hands of families who need it.
What surprised you most about your experience with IngramSpark that other authors should know?
As a first-time author, I knew little about the role of IngramSpark. My first experience was with print on demand and bulk book buys. I'm surprised by the other ways IngramSpark can help authors, and I need to learn more to take advantage of additional benefits.
What are some misconceptions people have about raising children with disabilities?
Sometimes parents don’t listen to their instincts, instead deferring to “experts.” Yet, parents know their children better than any expert, and every expert benefits from the parent perspective. Parents matter most when it comes to raising kids with disabilities.
Check out Cynthia’s insightful and empowering book
on disability parenting: Shine On.
One of the themes in your book is helping children "shine." How do you encourage families to shift from focusing on limitations to recognizing possibilities?
Parents are often told all the things their children will likely never do. But no one tells you how your child will surprise you by defying those odds. How much joy they'll bring you. How much you'll love them just the way they are.
If a parent has just received a diagnosis for their child, what is one piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you?
Receiving a disability diagnosis is crushing. It brings on a period of grieving. You have to go through these dark days to get to the other side, when you can begin to turn off the waterworks, put one foot in front of the other, and bring on the warrior within, because you’ve got to fight for this child.
Have you seen attitudes toward disability evolve over the years? Where do you think we still have work to do?
The most powerful catalyst for bettering the lives of individuals with disabilities has been the inclusion movement. When it began more than 35 years ago, it gave kids with disabilities the chance to be educated and to feel a sense belonging. But they’re not the only ones to benefit. Turns out, inclusion touched all kids, as typical students learned acceptance and discovered capability, not just disability, in their classmates. Inclusion has brought an abundance of kindness into our classrooms and communities.
What's something your child has taught you that no expert or parenting book ever could?
I’ve learned the power of mother’s love to do whatever it takes to give a child with disabilities a good life. My daughter has single-handedly taught us, her parents and siblings, how to be better humans.
What are you most excited about these days?
Getting my book into the hands of every family who needs it. Sharing the importance of the parent perspective with experts like doctors, educators, researchers, and agencies.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love historical fiction. It’s the best way to learn another dimension of history that connects you with the people who experienced it. It grows your empathy.
