{"id":5434,"date":"2026-01-21T11:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=5434"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:04:00","slug":"something-special-be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=5434","title":{"rendered":"Something Special Be"},"content":{"rendered":"

Freedom, family, and dignity\u2014a moving true story about unwavering brotherly love and fighting for the right to choose your own future<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hugh Flynn\u2019s Something Special Be<\/em> is a heartfelt, often infuriating memoir that dives headfirst into the complexities of family, disability rights, and the relentless fight for autonomy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chronicling Hugh\u2019s battle for conservatorship over his brother Aaron, a man with Down syndrome in his early 50s, the book offers a raw and deeply personal perspective on the systemic challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities\u2014and those who advocate for them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

At its core, this is a story about love, both familial and chosen. Hugh\u2019s bond with Aaron is unwavering, but what truly stands out is the tender and steadfast support from Hugh\u2019s partner Luis. Despite the relatively new nature of their relationship when the legal battle began, Luis steps into the chaos without hesitation. His kindness, humor, and unwavering commitment to both Hugh and Aaron aren\u2019t just touching\u2014they\u2019re a testament to the power of chosen family. Luis doesn\u2019t see Aaron as a burden or an obligation\u2014he sees him as a brother, an equal, and someone worth fighting for. It\u2019s impossible not to root for this trio as they fight for a life of love, independence, and inclusion in California.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Yet, this tale is not without its villains. Hugh\u2019s brother, Jack, lives with Aaron in their mother\u2019s Maryland home and is often dismissive of Aaron\u2019s wishes, while his other brother, Greg, files a counter-suit for conservatorship despite having little connection with Aaron. Their actions seem driven less by genuine care and more by the lure of financial gain\u2014an implication that becomes increasingly evident as the legal battle unfolds.\u00a0I\u2019ve never seen Greg, but based on his manipulative tactics and ego, I\u2019ll assume he has a pretty punchable face.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of the book\u2019s most heartbreaking aspects is the way Aaron\u2019s autonomy is repeatedly dismissed\u2014not just by his brothers, but by the legal system itself. Despite Aaron\u2019s clear and consistent desire to live with Hugh and Luis, his voice is often ignored simply because of his disability.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A particularly infuriating detail is Jack and Greg\u2019s refusal to call him by his chosen name, Aaron, instead insist on calling him \u201cRonnie\u201d\u2014a nickname he abandoned in his 20s. The dismissal of something as fundamental as one\u2019s name highlights the broader societal tendency to infantilize individuals with intellectual disabilities, stripping them of their identity and agency. Each court continuation and each lie from the opposition feels like a gut punch, chipping away at his hope.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

For those like myself who are intimately familiar with the intellectual disability community, Hugh\u2019s journey is both relatable and heartbreaking. The red tape, endless legal hurdles, and systemic complacency are all too common. The memoir highlights the broader societal issue of individuals with disabilities being treated as secondary citizens, their voices drowned out by those who claim to know what\u2019s best. But through Hugh\u2019s relentless determination, the narrative becomes a testament to the power of advocacy and unconditional love.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the darkness of family conflict and bureaucratic obstacles, Aaron\u2019s light never dims. His humor, kindness, and fierce determination to make his own choices remind readers of the beauty found in authenticity. It serves as a reminder that individuals with disabilities are not defined by their limitations but by their humanity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The book\u2019s most powerful lesson comes from Hugh\u2019s reflection: \u201cIf you live your life to love, time cannot defeat you.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>While on its surface it\u2019s a thoughtful line\u2014 underneath is a challenge. A challenge to embrace empathy, advocate for those whose voices are ignored, and live with a heart as open as Aaron\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Something Special Be<\/em> is more than a memoir\u2014it\u2019s a call to action. It challenges readers to confront their own biases, recognize the dignity and worth of every individual, and stand up against a system that too often fails those who need it most. Prepare to laugh, cry, and, yes, occasionally want to throw your book across the room. But most importantly, prepare to be inspired.Luis\u2019s tenderness, Aaron\u2019s unwavering belief in himself, and Hugh\u2019s determination to honor his brother\u2019s wishes prove that, even in the face of cruelty and greed, love can prevail.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post Something Special Be<\/a> appeared first on Independent Book Review<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Freedom, family, and dignity\u2014a moving true story about unwavering brotherly love and fighting for the right to choose your own future Hugh Flynn\u2019s Something Special Be is a heartfelt, often infuriating memoir that dives headfirst into the complexities of family, disability rights, and the relentless fight for autonomy.\u00a0 Chronicling Hugh\u2019s battle for conservatorship over his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5434"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5434\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}