When her son, J.P., was first diagnosed with fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of mental retardation, Clare Dunsford discovered that she and three of her four siblings carried the fragile X premutation and had therefore passed on the full mutation to J.P. and several of his cousins. An English professor by training, Dunsford draws on poetry to explore her new identity as a "mutant" and reflect on her life with J.P., a colorful young man with great verbal dexterity and a lovable cheeky streak. Brimming with warmth, Spelling Love with an X shares the disarming insights of a compassionate scholar on motherhood, disability, and genetic inheritance.
- ISBN10 080707280X
- ISBN13 9780807072806
- Publish Date 1 October 2008 (first published 1 October 2007)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Beacon Press
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 216
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780807072806