Let Us Be Brave: An Alaska Story of Special Olympians Uniting to Survive

Linda Kay Thompson is an author, art-gallery owner in Homer, Alaska, and retired special education teacher in intensive-needs. Her teaching career, mother of a special needs son, and Alaska Special Olympics coach helped her to see beyond the labels and limitations commonly associated with "disabilities." Linda is an advocate for these adults and children who each carry unique gifts. Her life has been blessed by her son, Erik David Behnke, a professional artist with Down Syndrome and autism. The two have been active in the art world since 1997, when Linda began to unravel Erik's talent in a rural classroom in Kenny Lake, Alaska. She obtained her Masters degree in Special Education to better understand her children at home and school. Linda started her writing career developing historical reports for publication as a federal and state researcher. She has published two non-fiction books: Erik's Story, finding his gifts against all odds in rural Alaska, and It's Okay Mom, an Alaska story of trust, love of family, and triumph over adversity.