@FrankeJames
LightNews LightNews
banner
frankejames.bsky.social
@FrankeJames
@frankejames.bsky.social
2.5K followers 2.8K following 270 posts
Activist & award-winning author of 4 books about disability rights, climate change, free expression, fighting censorship, & office politics. #FreeingTeresa. Celebrating 11 years in beautiful B.C. 🇨🇦
Posts Replies Media Videos
frankejames.bsky.social
I went to the Sunshine ☀️ Coast by float plane for the award ceremony. Teresa was thrilled to get a framed certificate.
Teresa Heartchild holding her winning certificate Photo from Sunshine Coast air by Franke James
September 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
1/3
Freeing Teresa wins 34th award for Diversity at SCWES (Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society), a community book festival in Gibson, BC. It was an adventure getting there. I took a float plane from Victoria to Sechelt & taxi to Gibson. It was a beautiful trip but I wondered if I should go!
Photo from a float plane of trees, water and mountains
September 4, 2025 at 5:45 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
Teresa at age 5 in 1969, swinging on gym ropes. Our mom enrolled Teresa in private gym classes from the time she was an infant.
Teresa at age 5 in 1969, swinging on gym ropes. Our mom enrolled Teresa in private gym classes from the time she was an infant.
May 11, 2025 at 10:19 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
Happy Mother's Day to my late Mom, who would be thrilled to hear how we're blazing new paths for Teresa, because she was an awesome trailblazer herself who had her climbing ropes at age 5!
On May 3, we accepted 3 Gold awards (2 for the audiobook, 1 for social change) in N.Y. for “Freeing Teresa."
Teresa Heartchild holds a trophy and smiles at an awards gala in New York. Her sister Franke laughs, also holds a trophy, and stands behind Teresa's wheelchair. Teresa is wearing a pink I Love New York sweatshirt. Franke is wearing a floral Desigual dress of reds and blues.
May 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
We all need to pay for pollution.
Dear Prime Minister
www.frankejames.com/dear-prime-m...
Smokestacks and dead fish in Franke James’ essay to Dear Prime Minister 2008.
March 15, 2025 at 1:59 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
1/3 And now, some great news! We won Gold for Audiobooks from the Independent Press Award: Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me.

We will be travelling to NYC to accept this award and the NYC Big Book Award–both golds for the Audiobook!
www.independentpressaward.com/2025winners/...
Independent Press Award 2025 winner: Audiobooks Franke James Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me When an idealistic activist objects to her siblings’ plan to ship their disabled sister off to a nursing home, she’s forced to choose between family and her sister’s freedom. This riveting true story is brought to life by a cast of over a dozen actors, including Jackie Blackmore as Franke James and Lauren Potter—who starred in the famed TV series Glee—as Teresa Heartchild. Franke James is an environmental activist who got into trouble in her own backyard—family trouble. She objected when she heard her siblings’ plan to put their disabled sister, Teresa Heartchild, into a nursing home. Teresa, who has Down syndrome, refused to go. But the other siblings insisted and secretly put Teresa into an institution for end-of-life care. Teresa was in shock. Franke was horrified and organized a rescue. That’s when all hell broke loose. The two sisters had to stand together—against their siblings, the medical system, and the police—to defend Teresa’s right to be free. This is a true story about a key civil rights issue for all people with disabilities—the right to decide where you live.
January 29, 2025 at 10:51 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
Best wishes for a fulfilling and fabulous 2025! My sister Teresa drew this picture which says we’re “newly born.” Lovely idea for us all!
#Downsyndrome
#artistic
Drawing by Teresa Heartchild with Down syndrome. It is of two orange figures with blue hearts, and includes the words “The newly born.”
January 1, 2025 at 8:49 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
What a way to wrap up 2024!

‘Freeing Teresa’ wins the 2024 Best of the Year Award from the Outstanding Creator Awards and…

28 more awards!!

Congrats to Teresa Heartchild, who is loving all the accolades. Congrats to all 13 actors who brought the book to life!

All 29 awards www.freeingteresa.com
January 1, 2025 at 6:20 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
The extraordinary fog is back!
Fog hovers over Burrard Inlet in Vancouver BC. The Northshore mountains poke up to a blue sky while a Seabus sails toward the dock.
Fog hovers over Burrard Inlet in Vancouver BC. The Northshore mountains poke up to a blue sky while a Seabus sails toward the Vancouver dock.
December 4, 2024 at 5:22 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
Freeing Teresa wins the “Outstanding True Story” Award in the IAN Awards. It feels especially good because I've been burning to tell this true story since it happened in 2013.
Finally, on the 10th anniversary of Teresa’s rescue, we published the book, which exposes the flaws of “forced care.”
November 26, 2024 at 6:43 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
Thank you so much! That protest show in 2011 was effective and fun!
Six illustrated posters by Franke James 2011 outdoor show “Dear Prime Minister” on pollution, censorship of environmental voices and more.
November 16, 2024 at 6:09 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
🎉 A shout out to my new followers. Such an accomplished and outspoken group! Thanks for helping make BlueSky a welcoming place to speak our minds. In 2011, I was silenced by my government. “Because our voices joined together have the power to change governments.”

www.frankejames.com/banned-on-th...
Drawing by Franke James from 2011 from Banned on the Hill. Image: raised bright pink arm holding the word Power. And around it “Because our voices joined together have the power to change governments.”
November 16, 2024 at 12:51 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
@writerharrison.bsky.social I agree.
“Anything you say or do may be used in a story.” Writer Harrison
November 15, 2024 at 7:25 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
Freeing Teresa review: “For anyone passionate about disability rights, family, or justice, this book is a transformative experience.”~ Bookmarks Review
www.instagram.com/p/DCUHEB5Mkd...
Orange Cover of Freeing Teresa, front and back, on an iPad.
November 15, 2024 at 3:04 AM
frankejames.bsky.social
I’ve just started John Lewis’ memoir from 1998. #activist #inspiration
November 11, 2024 at 4:06 AM
frankejames.bsky.social

Ten years ago today, on Nov 27, 2013, my life and my sister’s were changed forever. Teresa was taken out for a nice breakfast -- and then put into a nursing home (with no medical need to be there & against her wishes).
Read: "Freeing Teresa: A #TrueStory about Fighting #Ableism" a.co/d/cZgr0Lr
Teresa Heartchild, a woman with Down syndrome, smiles and holds up the orange paperback, "Freeing Teresa: A True Story about Fighting Ableism." Teresa has magenta wire glasses and is wearing a colourful tie-dye shirt. She is standing in front of a gas fireplace in the Vancouver home she shares with her sister Franke and brother-in-law, Billiam.| Photo by Billiam James, Nov 27, 2023 in Vancouver.
November 27, 2023 at 10:34 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
What is my new book, "Freeing Teresa," about? Trying to stop my siblings from putting my sister Teresa into a nursing home in 2013. I failed. Then I helped her get free. Teresa's the tip of the iceberg. There's a long history of segregation faced by people with disabilities—and it’s still happening.
Freeing Teresa's characters. 1.: The Activist (Sister). Franke said, “But Teresa has a legal right to decide where she lives. Have you talked to her?” | 2. The Planner (Sister). Siobhan said, “This is going to be the most horrible thing we do as a group.” | 3. The Self-Talk Poet (Youngest Sister). Teresa said, “I’m not going. I want to stay with Dad.” | 4. The Harmonizer (Sister). Phoebe said, "You may end up saying, “Oh my God! The only thing we have is a nursing home.” | 5. The Retired Lawyer (Father). Dad said, “She’s got a safe place to live. Here with me!” | 6. The Guardian (Brother). Conrad said, “I’m not having a discussion until YOU see what we’re putting up with! This ends Now!” | 7. The Campaigner (Franke's Husband). Bill said, “Maybe it’s time to surprise them... They would have to take Teresa off the crisis list.” | 8. The Boss (Sister). Deirdre said, “The police will come. Just think of how awful it’ll be for that poor little girl.” | Cop “...is going to be apprehended"
October 21, 2023 at 9:19 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
I've wanted to tell this true story for 10 years. Fear held me back. Now, "Freeing Teresa" is published. Please spread the word!
“Gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring. This story will break your heart and then fill it up again.”
Catherine McKercher, author of Shut Away
www.amazon.ca/Freeing-Tere...
"Freeing Teresa: A True Story" book cover features the title, the author, Franke James, with Teresa Heartchild and Billiam James. The visual is a silhouette of Teresa with her arms raised. It is filled in with blue sky, water and rocks on the beach.
October 21, 2023 at 9:00 PM
frankejames.bsky.social
How do you speak up when you're told to shut up? In 2011, I got censored. Aack! I filed FOIs & got 2,172 about me! In 2013, I wrote "Banned on the Hill: A True Story about Dirty Oil & Government Censorship", and ran outdoor ads, "Do Not Talk about Climate Change". www.frankejames.com/bccla-franke...
Ottawa, May 31, 2013, Artist/author Franke James in front of her 'Do Not Talk about Climate Change' poster. The street poster exhibit was crowdfunded at Indiegogo. Franke is a middle-aged Caucasian woman. She is wearing a yellow blazer and green dress. The photo was taken by Fred Chartrand.
September 27, 2023 at 8:14 PM