Father uses late son's social media posts to help tell his story

NEWS RELEASE
RICK PRASHAW
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OTTAWA – Fresh from a California film festival and book readings, author Rick Prashaw will be in Sault Ste. Marie Thursday, April 4 for readings and the story behind Soar, Adam, Soar, his inspiring biography on his late son.

Prashaw, a former Catholic priest, will be at the Watertower Inn (The Pub) on Great Northern Rd. from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the book available for sales and signing and a program including local speakers that begins at 5:15 p.m.

From the moment he was born, Adam Prashaw’s life was full of surprises. Named at birth “Rebecca Danielle Adam Prashaw,” Adam spent his life capturing hearts with his humour, compassion, and intensity. A life he documented in a trove of social media posts detailing his relationships, transition from female to male, and struggles with epilepsy, all with remarkable transparency and directness. What’s more, after a tragic accident cut his life short, Adam as a registered organ donor left a legacy of saving four lives.

In Soar, Adam, Soar, Adam’s father retells Adam’s story alongside his son’s own words. From early childhood, through coming out first as a lesbian and then as a man, and his battles with epilepsy and refusal to give in, the book chronicles Adam’s drive to define himself, his joyful spirit, and his love of life, which continues to conquer all.

The San Luis Obispo California Film Festival highlighted the short doc, “A Racing Heart”, the story on Adam’s heart recipient who woke up from his transplant surgery determined to know his donor and run a 10-kilometre race. He has done both, becoming close friends with Adam’s family. 

Rick Prashaw has had a diverse career as a journalist, Catholic priest, executive director of a national NGO, and political staff to members of Parliament. He is a winner of the National Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award. He was political staff to former Sault MP Tony Martin 2004 to 2011 and pastor in Garden River, Goulais River and Batchewana Bay in the late 1980s. Rick lives in Ottawa.

Advanced praise for Soar, Adam, Soar:

“Soar, Adam, Soar is a gorgeous autobiography. Rick Prashaw's unique approach to co-authoring with his late son and his threading together of social media posts into a cohesive narrative is so fresh and exciting.  The themes of non-conforming gender identity, the varied pressure of academia, and the lonely-yet-public stage of social media offers instructors multiple opportunities to bring theory to life.  More broadly, the challenges of young adulthood will resonate with many post-secondary readers." 

– Jennifer Ball; Professor of Sociology, Humber College

“A moving, powerful, valuable book because of its story, but more importantly because of the intensity of the first-person account of Adam’s life and legacy provided by the author…Though I read much of the book through tears, I came away moved by the joy with which Adam lived and that his spirit continues to inspire…The overwhelming message of Soar, Adam, Soar is that Adam’s love of life conquered and continues to conquer all.” – Dr. Colleen Humbert, editor and academic

“Soar, Adam, Soar is a deeply moving account of tragedy and triumph. Parts of this tale are so compellingly unique that they are hard to imagine. Yet, at the same time, it is a story of love and courage that it is universally recognizable. Thank you, Rick Prashaw, for your raw honesty.” – Alex Munter; CEO, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

“Adam's story is incredibly rich and very moving…Like any great piece of drama, this story deserves to be heard by a huge audience.” – Ernest Zulia, American playwright

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