Linda DeFruscio
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Reviews for Transgender Profiles
Loving and Caring
"Linda DeFruscio is a true gift to this world; a successful and talented skin-care
professional, exceptional researcher and writer, motivational speaker, outstanding
conversationalist, and an overall compassionate and considerate woman. In her
inspirational work, "Transgender Profiles - Time for a Change," we discover the stories
of twenty amazing individuals; their courageous acts of transition and unforgettable
words of advice. Throughout the text, Linda provides us with incredibly valuable medical
information, stemming from her impressive breadth of professional experience and
personal encounters. Not only does this work open one's eyes and mind to the
transgender community; it goes beyond that to remind us of the importance of loving and
caring for one another. Thanks to people like Linda DeFruscio, our world is becoming a
more accepting and safer place."
Andrew J. Safioleas, Pharm.D., M.B.A., P.R.S., R.Ph.
Inpatient Pharmacist and Music Instructor
Tolerance and Acceptance
“Linda DeFruscio has written a comprehensive and enlightening must read primer for anyone who is beginning their transition from male to female or female to male. Courageous transgender women share obstacles they face as they embark on their journey’s to find new places in the world; while rediscovering themselves. As they share personal heartfelt stories, a thread of commonality shows the reader the importance of living your truth, loving yourself and teaching others the importance of tolerance and acceptance. Linda brilliantly peppers these incredible stories by sharing her perspective and relationships as their electrologist; while also educating her readers on what it means to be transgender.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!!!"
Jeanette Renee,
Mother of Jazz on Tuesdays on TLC "I Am Jazz"
Difficult Decisions
"Transgender Profiles is an in depth reveal of the transgender world. Linda DeFruscio pulls back the curtain and allows us to witness the difficult decision making process that patients from all walks of life have chosen to go through. The book makes it clear that from a very early age these patients were struggling with the concept of their gender identity. This gender dysphoria is hard wired and has a biologic origin. This is not a choice, but must be done at any cost.
As a Physician in this field, the book is a very accurate description of the struggles, failures, and successes within the transgender community. This book will help the reader better understand the transgender community and hopefully lead to a greater degree of tolerance and acceptance."
Joseph A. Russo, MD.
Plastic Surgery & Cosmetic Center
Portrait Of The Transgender Experience
"Linda DeFruscio has drawn on her decades of experience providing the most intimate and protracted clinical procedures to paint a vivid and unique portrait of the transgender experience."
C.R.Lindley, M.D.
Learn From This Book
“Linda DeFruscio and her colleagues have been helping trans people for quite a while-- and there are more of us on the way. This clear, helpful collection tells many of our stories in the irreplaceable and accessible form of brief oral histories; it's also got information about the medical and skin-related services that we may need, that some of us don't understand, and that she both understands and provides. A lot of people will learn a lot from this book.”
Stephanie Burt, PhD
Professor of English, Harvard University
Linda Is A Good Friend To Transgender People
“Linda DeFruscio is a treasure of so much oral history, which has been shared by so many people on so many journeys, whom she befriended over the past decades. People have come and gone, yet Linda has maintained friendships over time. So many in the gender variant community lack these consistent friendships. She has been there for so many, yet asks nothing for her friendship, except that the same is offered in return. Many, but not all, offer this, but nonetheless, Linda still is there for each new person that comes her way. The language of what we call ourselves is changing faster than any of us can keep up with. The labels of whether we are transgender, transsexual, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-binary or whatever new name or label will evolve in the next day or week or year, matters greatly to each individual but can be confusing to others. Linda has never been caught up in the labels, but has built friendships with the people. Yes...the more things change, the more they stay the same. Each of us needs to share our story. That is a constant. Linda has been and still is a treasure, and as you read the following stories, I am certain you will understand why I say this."
Grace Anne Stevens, Author, Speaker and Trainer
"No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth"
"Musings on Living Authentically"
"Handbooks for Humans"
I love the stories in this book.
"The people profiled are young, old(er) and in between, and while their experiences all have points in common, each one is also unique. This book is a great read for people who genuinely want to get to know their trans brothers and sisters. You have to be one miserable person to read it and not find your heart opening to what each individual goes through to close the gap between who she/he appeared to be and who she/he knew to be her/his authentic self. And the book is inspirational! Even if you have no gender issues yourself, you have probably experienced a gap that makes you feel less than authentic. Maybe you were always lacking confidence and therefore shy but always wanted to be the person up at the podium. Maybe you were always fearful but know at heart that you were born to be adventurous. The point is, there is a lot to learn here, because the desire to become more authentic is something we can all relate to.
In addition to the profiles, the author tells her own story about how she came to know so many people in the transgender community. She also shares the wealth of knowledge she has gained over the years working with people in the trans community. It's all fascinating stuff. And kudos to the author for getting this book out into the world in these times when so many trans people are being persecuted in some way."
Joan Schweighardt
Occasionally, I like to challenge myself by reading something I wouldn’t normally pick up.
"When I saw this book, I realized I knew nothing about the transgender experience. The book gave me a window into the anguish people experience when their bodies don’t fit with who they are inside. Everyone profiled in the book talked about how, as children, they felt a disconnect with their outward gender. As hard as they tried to squash that feeling, it persisted into adulthood until, eventually, they had to do something about it. I was also stunned to learn what these people are willing to endure physically--through surgery, electrolysis, and laser treatments—as well as financially. Books like Transgender Profiles will be a comfort to others confused about their true gender identity. It also delivers practical information about some of the financial and emotional costs associated with making a gender change. The book expanded my understanding of the transgender experience. I'm glad I read it. "
Kate Early
I enjoyed this informative and educational book..
"Highly recommend it and it is a quick read.. I could not put it down..Good for the expert and layman.."
Richard Neyman
It was great to read some of the stories, most especially those of friends.
"Only down note, that I have spoken to Linda regarding was the sidebars that sort of detracted from the story. Otherwise, the stories were very compelling."
Emma
Linda is a wonderful ally and advocate for the trans community in the Boston area.
"She has transformed countless lives with her expertise in the field of hair removal and skin care, which is a vital part of many male-to-female transitions. I found her book at the Boston Public Library at Copley, where it is available for anyone that wants to read it and learn more about transgender people. It is filled with real stories about the journeys of trans women and also has factual information that provides a great overview of the trans experience. It is a great new addition to the growing number of books about trans women's transformations - and is highly recommended for anyone in the community!"
Juliana
Beautiful and Uplifting
I want to commend and thank you for your beautiful and uplifting Transgender Profiles. You manage to treat a very technical as well as politically/emotionally-charged subject area with sensitivity and grace. The accounts showed both the triumphs and disappointments, and the enormous personal and financial costs that these courageous people have gone through.
My own story contains some pieces of many of those life stories of the individuals that you profiled, as well as some additional circumstances, since everyone has a unique story, which you point out. It has taken me many years to admit to myself what I needed to do, and I am finally coming to terms with my true identity.
Thank you for again for being an advocate for the trans community, and for using your talents to make the world a much better place.
R. Schlesinger, Attorney, NY
Reviews for Ginger and Moe
"This beautiful book is full of life lessons for children of all ages. The author’s bigheartedness and sincerity are evident on every page. Sometimes we can’t have what we want, her story tells us, but we can always endeavor to do what is right for others, both people and animals. Ginger and Moe and the Incredible Coincidence should be part of every grade school curriculum."
—Joan
author of The Last Wife of Attila the Hun and other novels
“This book was fun to read. The book showed just how much people really love and care about their cats. I now know what makes people allergic to cats.”
—Chelsey
age eight
“This book reaches out to all those pet lovers with allergies, including myself. It is amazing the sacrifices we go through because of the unconditional love we have for our pets. This is a heartwarming story with a feel-good ending that all animals lovers will enjoy.”
—J. Lori
author of Jax’s Big Adventure and elementary teacher
Reviews For Cornered
Great book!!!!!!!! February 1, 2015 By Michael Dooley
"I bought this book because I like a good “true crime” now and then, but that’s not what I got. Or, I did get the true crime I was hankering after, but I got a heck of a lot more as a bonus.
I remember the story of Richard Sharpe. The media had a hay day with the fact that Sharpe was a known cross-dresser. They seemed to want to connect the murder he committed to his inclination to dress. I remember thinking that was just plain wrong. DeFruscio, who is the electrologist of preference for many crossdressing and transgendered people, really brings that home too.
Which is not to say that she advocates that we should all like Sharpe. That’s not her purpose at all. In fact, it’s clear that she didn’t always like him herself. There were lots of times she didn’t take his calls for weeks on end and didn’t visit him for months on end—because he was downright exhausting. He was truly a genius whose mind never turned off, but he was also truly mentally ill. I’m not sure whether his mental illness was a result of childhood abuse or genetics or something else, but getting into his head, via the author, was incredibly interesting—and often very scary.Luckily the reader gets into DeFruscio’s head too, and that is not a bad place to spend time. She is quirky sometimes in her thinking but she is also generous, funny, vulnerable, unassuming and highly observant. To read Cornered is to understand how she came to offer Sharpe her support when others turned their back on him. This is a fascinating book and I highly recommend it."
An incredible read! May 5, 2015 Andrew J. Safioleas, Pharm.D., R.Ph., Inpatient Pharmacist and FRSO Violinist
"Linda DeFruscio is one of the most compassionate, motivated, and successful professionals I have ever met. In her memoir, “Cornered,” she teaches us so many valuable lessons; the importance of loving one another, never looking back, and believing in oneself, to name a few. Her tremendous quality of character stems from her childhood and was undoubtedly a factor in her monumental decision as to whether or not she would remain friends with Dr. Richard Sharpe. “Cornered” is an exceptionally written work. If you are looking to read a book that will put you at the edge of your seat, look no more!"
Best Story behind Bruce Jenner’s this year! May 1, 2015 By Carla O Manganaro
"One of the best non-fictions books I’ve ever read! Dr. Sharpe was the Bruce Jenner of his day in New England. For anyone who has questions about how cross-dressers live, work and have families this is the book for you. Not only that, it gives an incredible perspective how the prison system really works. Dr. Sharpe did so much to improve the medical community and his story is anything but typical. The author’s insight and the struggles to find the truth is truly inspirational. If more people knew this story, our world would be less discriminatory. Well-written. Must-read!"
“Cornered” by Linda DeFruscio is a labor of love and an excellent read January 18, 2015 By Jodi Raphael
"“Cornered” by Linda DeFruscio is a labor of love and an excellent read. Linda generously brings us into her life and allows us to get to know an obviously tortured man without judgment. This documentation, in her words, is a real gift to Richards children–not to mention the reader! The author thoughtfully chronicles her life and her relationship with Dr. Richard Sharpe in such and intelligent yet entertaining manner. I could not put the book down. A very compelling story, one that I would pick up again and again."
Reviews from Amazon.com
Joan Heartwell, author of the memoir Hamster Island
“The mistakes and dysfunctions of the adults surrounding Linda DeFruscio in her youth paved the way for the inordinate compassion she displays as an adult. While her story uncovers much about the nature of mental illness, it also reveals the power of tolerance, mercy and love.”
Joseph A. Russo, M.D., F.A.C.S., Plastic Surgeon
“ . . .Cornered is an impossible-to-put-down psycho-thriller and one of the best books I have read.”