Cover My Dreams in Ink tells the story of a boy misunderstood. From learning disabilities to a mental health diagnosis to drug addiction, he’s at the mercy of systems—school, health care, legal—that increasingly fail him.
A mother’s passion for her son’s equal rights, and her unshakable belief in his potential, seep through the pages as does her coming to terms with her own flaws.
Facing bitter disappointments and often insurmountable obstacles, mother and son weather adversity, sometimes in opposition. Equally obvious is the bond between them, evidenced by their candid communications—laden with strife but not without humor.
From the discovery of a drug that provided relief to the pure hell of addiction—exploited, humiliated, punished—and from homelessness and jail cells to rehab and a wanderlust fueled by the relentless quest to belong, his young manhood is full of heartache. Yet his grit and resilience—his capacity to love and forgive—present a formidable counterforce to the wounds of injustice.
But they lose. She, her son. He, his life. Undiscovered in his lifetime, the boy's poetry is intertwined, depicting an inner life otherwise unknown.
The journey of an individual packs a message that is universal: human rights, a principle easily negated for the vulnerable. Inspiring sensitivity for those who are different, compassion for those whose battles arise from uncontrollable circumstances rather than faults of character, this gripping story drives home the urgency for drug policy reform.
What Readers are Saying. . .
This beautifully written book, a diary of the tragic consequences of our inhumane health care system, should be required reading for the United States Congress. — LDC
I was spellbound. . . . from heartache to joy, empathy to outrage, acceptance and rejection, and everything in between. . . . She is brutally honest about her own strengths and weaknesses, as she navigates a broken system. — PT
This book’s importance is that it transcends one mother’s story. It is certainly a cautionary tale. . . . The restrictions, territorial imperatives, institutional politics, and, sometimes, clear ineptitude, have coalesced to form a system that is designed to contain, rather than resolve, many of the issues that she is forced to address. — SPW
Dunleavy moved heaven and earth to get her son the help he needed and still the system failed him. . . . I was absorbed in the book, but had to put it down at times because it would make me sad. When that happened, I found myself missing Paul and would rush to read so I could find out what happened to him. — APD
For me, the greatest showing of love was to support others who are impacted by opioid use disorder and overdose by baring her soul, so that others could learn from Paul’s life story and develop their own best practices. — DCW
It is a difficult, yet important read for parents, K - 12 teachers, counselors . . . anyone who can touch the life of another person on a journey such as this. Paul's deep insight and life wisdom through poetry is worth the read in itself. — SM
One of the most important books I have ever read. . . . The bureaucracy involved with educating a child with special needs, the misdiagnosis and failure to understand in the medical community, in law enforcement and so many other local and state social service organizations is painfully described with the passion that only a mother could feel. — DEL
From the very first page, this beautifully written book draws you into the deeply touching life of a young boy facing heart-wrenching emotional, educational and medical challenges and his amazing mother who never stopped fighting for him. — SB
. . . a heartbreakingly brave memoir about mental illness, family secrets, and life on the edge. Dunleavy’s son, Paul, was always “different,” and it hurts to read how he was failed, time and again, by the so-called experts. Countering that external story is the moving portrait of a rich inner life that emerges through Paul’s poetry. . . This is a book you will not forget. — LJM
I stayed up two nights in a row reading this deeply moving memoir. . . . she raises critical questions about how our country should treat drug addiction. We still cling to the idea that addicts just need willpower, rather than providing the counseling -- and proper medication -- that allows them to recover. This book is more timely than ever. — JD
For anyone who has dealt with substance abuse, mental health issues, or the frustration of education this is a must read. . . . Although difficult to read it's a story that needed to be told and more importantly, must be read — JM
Dunleavy's work is an essential read for parents, educators, counselors, and maybe most importantly, for policymakers. . . . It is a well-written, personal, true story of a kind soul struggling with disability and addiction. — LVW
I finished reading this honest and eye opening memoir in one day. . . . This is a serious subject matter yet the author managed to bring lightness and humanity to the story. There are moments you are crying along with the author and others where you are laughing as you read the well written words. It is both insightful and inspirational. — TM
What a poignant and well written tribute to both mother and son! Paul's poems hauntingly punctuate his quest to be understood, while the author tirelessly navigates the world of resources for the disabled. — OM
Honestly one of the best books I have ever read. . . it will let you into a family’s navigation of hospitals, jails, courtrooms, doctors offices, and schools—many ill equipped to help individuals and families with dual-diagnosis family members. — MC
After you read this book YOU will be recommending it to your friends. . . . It is a heartbreaking story told with honesty, compassion, insight and humor. Don't wait. Buy this book. It will change you. — DH
This book is part memoir, part self-help, part poetic journal, part guide to parents of kids with special needs but altogether an amazingly poignant and important book. . . . The reason I love this book is its unflinchingly honest. — MS
Don’t wait to read this passionate memoir. Jessie’s honest depiction of her son, Paul, and his struggles captivate the challenges they both faced educationally and in the war on drugs. Paul’s poetry could be a book all on its own. You will laugh and cry as you read this bravely told story. — NL
BOOK IN THE NEWS
What’s Up? Magazine, June 1, 2020: Poetry Discovered After Son’s Death Inspires Memoir
The Drug Policy Alliance Newsletter, July 1, 2020: Drug Policy in the News
Filter Magazine, July 22, 2020: Navigating the Baffling Systems of Care that Failed My Son