Treatment of Choice

Mary L. King is a novelist who engages readers with an open look at physical disability issues in a present-day setting. A special-needs mother, personal care attendant, and former rehabilitation center employee, she takes a candid approach to write novels that feature characters confronted with temporary or permanent disabilities. The author of The McFadden Series, she invites readers to experience daily living activities, rehabilitation therapies, and personal challenges, as viewed from main characters cast in realistic, professional medical roles. Mary King gives full attention to details whether she’s weaving a character’s history, outlining a specific injury, or describing a medical procedure. She brings in homeless young people who get raw deals-those who come from abusive homes, sustain life-altering injuries, or have fallen through the cracks of a broken social services system. Ms. King broadens the storyline by giving insight into today’s common family challenges-coming-of-age trials, teenage relationships, gay romance, domestic violence, and death, to provide a brief list. Her stories allow ordinary events and natural dialogue to flow as each youth faces new challenges: peer pressure, prejudice, bullying, intolerance, and even hate crimes. The journey isn’t a total uphill climb, however; there are victories to celebrate and sensitive moments as the young characters grow and mature in their roles with each successive novel. Ms. King’s interest in physical medicine began in 1982, while employed with Cathedral Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville, Florida. As a volunteer after hours, she gained further hands-on experience in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy. She worked with clients who sustained a traumatic head/brain injury, spinal cord injury, catastrophic burns, mental disorders, neurological disorders, victims of dementia, hearing loss, and stroke victims. The state of Florida recognized her in 1982 for developing a driver education program designed exclusively for persons with disabilities. The youngest of three children, Ms. King holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Jacksonville University. Now a full-time primary caregiver to her adult daughter, she enjoys gardening, crafting, cooking, music, and reading. Mary King writes freelance articles on a wide variety of topics. She lives in west Florida and dedicates much of her time to The McFadden Series.