Raising Ryland: Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached Audiobook (Free)

This powerful, moving story-which has already touched a lot more than seven million through a viral video created with the Whittington family-is a mother’s first-hand account of her emotional choice to embrace her transgender child.

When Hillary and Jeff Whittington posted a YouTube video chronicling their five-year-old son Ryland’s changeover from woman to youngster, they didn’t expect it to be greeted with such fervor. Gorgeous and moving, the video documenting Hillary’s and Jeff’s love for their child about Raising Ryland: Our Tale of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached immediately went viral and continues to be seen by more than seven million viewers since its publishing in May 2014.

Now for the first time, they show their story completely, offering an emotional and moving account of their trip alongside their exceptional kid. After they discovered their little girl Ryland was deaf at age one and needed cochlear implants, the Whittingtons spent nearly four years effectively teaching Ryland to speak. But once Ryland gained the energy of speech, it was time for them to pay attention as Ryland insisted, “I am a son!” And pay attention they did. After learning that forty-one percent of individuals who identify as transgender try to take their personal lives, Hillary and her hubby Jeff made it their mission to support their child-no matter what.

From the earliest stages of deciphering Ryland through clothing choices to examining the difficult conversations which have marked every stage of Ryland’s transition, Hillary Whittington shares her experiences as a mother through everything, demonstrating both level of resistance and support that their family has encountered because they make an effort to erase the stigma surrounding the term “transgender.” In telling her family’s story, she hopes she can assist the globe in agreeing to that even kids as young as five, can have profound and impactful what to say and talk about. What emerges is certainly a powerful tale of unconditional like, taking others for who they are, and doing what’s right, regardless of whether those around you realize it.