Heritage Book Publishing announced the release of 'Jimmie,' a memoir by Jim Valentine that traces his family's decades-long journey from a pragmatic college courtship to becoming advocates for their blind son. The book, published on January 19, 2026, presents an ordinary couple's extraordinary story of building a meaningful life when faced with unexpected challenges.
The narrative begins with Judy Gleason convincing a bewildered Jim Valentine to participate in a 'mock marriage' at a Knox College Sadie Hawkins Day event. Their relationship, built on intellectual sparring and dry wit, evolves through post-war Germany and Chicago suburbs. The story transforms when their son Jimmie is diagnosed as blind, shifting from a charming marriage tale to a deep reflection on parental strength.
Valentine writes with clear-eyed compassion about navigating medical and educational systems not designed for their son's needs. The memoir serves as a witness to advocacy and the fight for inclusion, challenging societal limitations placed on children with disabilities. Through bureaucratic hurdles and medical anxieties, the family's story remains defined by joy, humor, and unbreakable spirit.
The heart of the book is Jimmie himself, whose vibrant personality and defiant independence become a guiding light. His experiences navigating childhood, friendship, and self-discovery offer some of the narrative's most inspiring moments. Readers witness his transformation into a 'fully realized, joy-filled young man' who was not just 'the blind diver' but Jimmie—a man with skill, courage, and respect.
The memoir also functions as a love letter to place and time, moving from cramped quarters in Germany to cobblestone streets of Worthwoods and a Lake Michigan high-rise. Throughout these settings, the partnership between Jim and Judy serves as the family's bedrock, with Judy's fierce advocacy complementing Jim's steady commitment.
This story resonates particularly in contemporary times as it presents a model of lasting partnership built on mutual respect during an era of fleeting connections. It provides intimate insight into navigating disability while challenging stereotypes about capability. At its core, 'Jimmie' explores universal themes of family creation and the fierce love that guides people through unforeseen challenges.
The book is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats through retailers including Amazon. As a first-time author, Valentine wrote the memoir as a tribute to his son's spirit and a testament to partnership's power, believing the most profound stories emerge from ordinary life's strength.
