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Lessons from Zachary: Turning Disability Into Possibility
Sandy Scott had it all: a beautiful country home, a successful husband, and the freedom to be a stay-at-home mom. Then the news crashed down on her like a Tsunami: her infant son Zachary not only had severe brain damage but probably wouldn't live past his first birthday. As denial gave way to despair and grief, Sandy looked out over the new, strange world into which her family suddenly found themselves thrown and wondered if they would ever know happiness again.
But it was in the very challenges that Zachary's condition presented to her that she discovered her own hidden inner resources and a whole new level of compassion among other people. She eventually took on greater roles in the disability community and found her calling as a life coach.
In Lessons from Zachary, Sandy shares the knowledge and insights she gained through her own personal journey of discovery and overcoming obstacles, showing us how to use our strengths to navigate life's difficult situations to find meaning and lasting fulfillment. Scattered throughout her moving story are multiple useful tools from life coaching--Life Wheel, checklists, Miracle Question, and others--to help us develop our unknown potential.
But it was in the very challenges that Zachary's condition presented to her that she discovered her own hidden inner resources and a whole new level of compassion among other people. She eventually took on greater roles in the disability community and found her calling as a life coach.
In Lessons from Zachary, Sandy shares the knowledge and insights she gained through her own personal journey of discovery and overcoming obstacles, showing us how to use our strengths to navigate life's difficult situations to find meaning and lasting fulfillment. Scattered throughout her moving story are multiple useful tools from life coaching--Life Wheel, checklists, Miracle Question, and others--to help us develop our unknown potential.
- GenresNonfiction
284 pages, ebook
Published December 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 21, 2017
We all feel alone and overwhelmed at times as a parent. The world seems to be against us, sleep is a rare commodity and the one person you should be able to lean on is feeling the same. A newborn is a blessing that requires and deserves superhuman strength and commitment. For one mother, her newborn wasn’t born perfect and he was till her greatest gift and her greatest test of inner strength.
Follow Sandy Scott’s true story of life with Zachary, born with severe brain damage and not expected to live more than five years. Discover what Sandy did, that the gift of his life was far more than the pain of his disabilities. It was an opening of doors, of self-improvement, compassion and learning to handle everything life tosses into the mix, including a husband who left, and made her life a lonely hell as he moved on with brutal callousness. His loss, totally.
Lessons from Zachary: Turning Disability into Possibility is the story of a woman given a half empty glass filled with cracks and how she repaired and filled that glass with her inner strength and motherly love. The more she experienced with Zachary, the more she learned, the more she craved more knowledge, found time to give to others and to share what she has learned. Sandy also learned to accept help, support and the love of those who understand.
An inspiration for anyone in her shoes, a wakeup call to those who expect life to make them happy, make them successful at life, Sandy Scott is an amazing woman with a beautiful story to share.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I know there is room on this remarkable and positive tale on every bookshelf.
I received this copy from Sandy Scott in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: International Publishing Works (December 5, 2016)
Publication Date: December 5, 2016
Genre: Non-Fiction | Special Needs
Print Length: 237 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Follow Sandy Scott’s true story of life with Zachary, born with severe brain damage and not expected to live more than five years. Discover what Sandy did, that the gift of his life was far more than the pain of his disabilities. It was an opening of doors, of self-improvement, compassion and learning to handle everything life tosses into the mix, including a husband who left, and made her life a lonely hell as he moved on with brutal callousness. His loss, totally.
Lessons from Zachary: Turning Disability into Possibility is the story of a woman given a half empty glass filled with cracks and how she repaired and filled that glass with her inner strength and motherly love. The more she experienced with Zachary, the more she learned, the more she craved more knowledge, found time to give to others and to share what she has learned. Sandy also learned to accept help, support and the love of those who understand.
An inspiration for anyone in her shoes, a wakeup call to those who expect life to make them happy, make them successful at life, Sandy Scott is an amazing woman with a beautiful story to share.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I know there is room on this remarkable and positive tale on every bookshelf.
I received this copy from Sandy Scott in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: International Publishing Works (December 5, 2016)
Publication Date: December 5, 2016
Genre: Non-Fiction | Special Needs
Print Length: 237 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 25, 2017
With open honesty, author Sandy Scott exposes the emotional and physical obstacles of raising a child with a disability, while offering insights and encouragement to others facing the same situation.
Shortly after her son's birth, Sandy Scott was forced to face the fact that her son was born with a condition, which would possibly not allow him to survive longer than his first year. This book follows her real life experiences--ups and downs--while offering tips and support to the readers.
Although there are many insights in this book which will assist families with the author's situation (or even inform others), by no means does it come across as a how-to or informational guide. The chapters flow through the author's own life, telling her tale from beginning to end. She's honest, direct and even leaves herself vulnerable as she explains the different hardships (inward and outward) that she faced since the birth of her son. Although many of these deal with her son directly, others concern her own life--things which mother's in general can run into and are forced to confront.
The writing is personal, making it easy to get lost in her story. And although some moments are tissue box worthy, there are other golden ones, which shine through like a ray of light. All the while, the author peppers in tips and helpful information that she herself collected. This doesn't only deal with the different organizations and her dealings with them, but also ways to handle some of life's biggest waves. With small lists, she demonstrates how a person can find footing and realize how to keep the truly important things in sight. There are other tips which help with inner family communication.
Summed up, this is a lovely book for women who are raising children with disabilities, their family members or even relatives and friends.
Shortly after her son's birth, Sandy Scott was forced to face the fact that her son was born with a condition, which would possibly not allow him to survive longer than his first year. This book follows her real life experiences--ups and downs--while offering tips and support to the readers.
Although there are many insights in this book which will assist families with the author's situation (or even inform others), by no means does it come across as a how-to or informational guide. The chapters flow through the author's own life, telling her tale from beginning to end. She's honest, direct and even leaves herself vulnerable as she explains the different hardships (inward and outward) that she faced since the birth of her son. Although many of these deal with her son directly, others concern her own life--things which mother's in general can run into and are forced to confront.
The writing is personal, making it easy to get lost in her story. And although some moments are tissue box worthy, there are other golden ones, which shine through like a ray of light. All the while, the author peppers in tips and helpful information that she herself collected. This doesn't only deal with the different organizations and her dealings with them, but also ways to handle some of life's biggest waves. With small lists, she demonstrates how a person can find footing and realize how to keep the truly important things in sight. There are other tips which help with inner family communication.
Summed up, this is a lovely book for women who are raising children with disabilities, their family members or even relatives and friends.
February 9, 2017
This is the story of one remarkable family, their trials and successes and living with a child born with a sever disability. I can’t believe the accomplishments of this whole family unit, and things were never easy, but they have paved the way for so many others.
The story itself will bring tears to your eyes, but the amazing way Sandy found help, until, she didn’t answer questions correctly, and she was to blame, but could I blame her, no. The family unit here did become broken and Zachary’s dad did take a different path, although I think he tried, he could see his anger come out in how he accepted.
The perseverance here is awesome and the accomplishments of raising a child to adult is not easy, and yet to do it with a child with disabilities, and the success she had is wonderful. Putting myself in her shoes was difficult, we all want perfect, and yet things are not always as we picture, Sandy is a woman to be admired.
I received this book through the Cadence Group, and was not required to give a positive review.
The story itself will bring tears to your eyes, but the amazing way Sandy found help, until, she didn’t answer questions correctly, and she was to blame, but could I blame her, no. The family unit here did become broken and Zachary’s dad did take a different path, although I think he tried, he could see his anger come out in how he accepted.
The perseverance here is awesome and the accomplishments of raising a child to adult is not easy, and yet to do it with a child with disabilities, and the success she had is wonderful. Putting myself in her shoes was difficult, we all want perfect, and yet things are not always as we picture, Sandy is a woman to be admired.
I received this book through the Cadence Group, and was not required to give a positive review.
February 5, 2017
Zachary Scott is born with Cerebral Palsy. This is a severe brain injury. "Lessons from Zachary" by Sandy Scott is not only about Zachary. It is also about a family. The parents and a soon coming new born named Taylor lead you on a long journey of ups and downs and new additions to the family. While there are new comers to the family, there are also those who leave. These goings and comings make you wonder who is stronger at any given time the father or the mother. Perhaps, it has nothing to do about gender. Then, it is all about timing and how the person leaving finds his life going another way.
The title "Lessons from Zachary" is perfect. There are so many lessons to learn along the way no matter whether there is Cerebral Palsy among your family and friends or not. Use these lessons for marriage, finances, depression or a heavy graduate program.
We see Zachary suffer with seizures. One seizure really is interesting. It is called "Absence Seizure." Zachary looks off or away without movement. I was surprised how many times in one day a baby can suffer with a seizure. Whatever way Zachary body moves in one day his mother is there for him. His mother Sandy Scott is the definition of love. Sure, she cries at times. Needs meditation at times. Needs the help of an article or two from Oprah's magazine, but she never deserts her baby. Doctors said that Zachary Scott would live for one year. Obviously, they did not know the power of a mother's love.
Her focus is not that Zachary can not eat by himself, go to the bathroom by himself, hold up his head. Her thoughts on how can I make this child's day to day life better. Each day there are activities for Zachary. When Taylor comes along, healthy and strong, his strengths are never give undue attention. No comparisons are made. As far as I can see it is just a house of love. Now I know to not look at limitations but to focus on "possibilities."
Often while reading the book, I looked at Zachary's photo on the front of the book. His eyes glisten with happiness. He has been treated well. Perhaps, looking at "one tree" and "singing a tune" every day helped Sandy Scott to act stronger in a given day.
She is a special mother. I would choose her as my favorite mother for this February of 2017. She certainly gives until it hurts, or does it?
The title "Lessons from Zachary" is perfect. There are so many lessons to learn along the way no matter whether there is Cerebral Palsy among your family and friends or not. Use these lessons for marriage, finances, depression or a heavy graduate program.
We see Zachary suffer with seizures. One seizure really is interesting. It is called "Absence Seizure." Zachary looks off or away without movement. I was surprised how many times in one day a baby can suffer with a seizure. Whatever way Zachary body moves in one day his mother is there for him. His mother Sandy Scott is the definition of love. Sure, she cries at times. Needs meditation at times. Needs the help of an article or two from Oprah's magazine, but she never deserts her baby. Doctors said that Zachary Scott would live for one year. Obviously, they did not know the power of a mother's love.
Her focus is not that Zachary can not eat by himself, go to the bathroom by himself, hold up his head. Her thoughts on how can I make this child's day to day life better. Each day there are activities for Zachary. When Taylor comes along, healthy and strong, his strengths are never give undue attention. No comparisons are made. As far as I can see it is just a house of love. Now I know to not look at limitations but to focus on "possibilities."
Often while reading the book, I looked at Zachary's photo on the front of the book. His eyes glisten with happiness. He has been treated well. Perhaps, looking at "one tree" and "singing a tune" every day helped Sandy Scott to act stronger in a given day.
She is a special mother. I would choose her as my favorite mother for this February of 2017. She certainly gives until it hurts, or does it?
December 9, 2016
Sandy Scott’s son Zachary seemed like a beautiful, peaceful baby until she learned he’d been born with severe brain damage and might not live beyond his first year. Soon her marriage, never strong, was falling apart, her needs and those of her sons were spiraling out of control, and her self-image was shattered. But Lessons from Zachary, nicely illustrated with photos of a family coming together and growing together, tells the story of Sandy’s recovery, set against a backdrop of fighting for Zachary’s rights, caring for a healthy (and wise beyond his years) younger son, dealing with issues of parenting in separate households, and finding love.
Parents of children with disabilities will benefit from the positive attitudes of this book, and most likely will relate to the negative attitudes of a world unatuned to special needs. But all parents—indeed all people—struggle in life, and this book offers wisdom and low-key coaching for all of us, teaching us to see and play to our strengths, seize wholeheartedly on developing our skills, and move “beyond our labels … to create the future as it emerges.”
Zachary’s transition from eternal baby to growing child to adult is convincingly portrayed in this book, from birthday parties where his differences seem so minor, to a starkly real world that wants to lock him away. Meanwhile the young man's health bounds up and down, even as his mother struggles to provide for everyone’s needs. There are chapters where everything falls apart, and others where it all comes together. There are relationships that hurt and heal. And through it all there are two children, both very real, both filled with character, and a mother with needs of her own.
This book is written very personally, including an imagined letter to an absent husband and honest depictions of betrayal. But the voice is compelling, the anger is an important part of the tale, and the dance between self and others, confidence and need, desire and hope becomes, by the end, a dance between author and reader, each seeking an outcome that promises more.
Lessons from Zachary is an absorbing read, like getting to know someone you’ll never meet, and learning about yourself as they tell you their story.
Disclosure: The Cadence Group provided this book to me and I offer my honest review.
Parents of children with disabilities will benefit from the positive attitudes of this book, and most likely will relate to the negative attitudes of a world unatuned to special needs. But all parents—indeed all people—struggle in life, and this book offers wisdom and low-key coaching for all of us, teaching us to see and play to our strengths, seize wholeheartedly on developing our skills, and move “beyond our labels … to create the future as it emerges.”
Zachary’s transition from eternal baby to growing child to adult is convincingly portrayed in this book, from birthday parties where his differences seem so minor, to a starkly real world that wants to lock him away. Meanwhile the young man's health bounds up and down, even as his mother struggles to provide for everyone’s needs. There are chapters where everything falls apart, and others where it all comes together. There are relationships that hurt and heal. And through it all there are two children, both very real, both filled with character, and a mother with needs of her own.
This book is written very personally, including an imagined letter to an absent husband and honest depictions of betrayal. But the voice is compelling, the anger is an important part of the tale, and the dance between self and others, confidence and need, desire and hope becomes, by the end, a dance between author and reader, each seeking an outcome that promises more.
Lessons from Zachary is an absorbing read, like getting to know someone you’ll never meet, and learning about yourself as they tell you their story.
Disclosure: The Cadence Group provided this book to me and I offer my honest review.
January 23, 2017
With open honesty, author Sandy Scott exposes the emotional and physical obstacles of raising a child with a disability, while offering insights and encouragement to others facing the same situation.
Shortly after her son's birth, Sandy Scott was forced to face the fact that her son was born with a condition, which would possibly not allow him to survive longer than his first year. This book follows her real life experiences--ups and downs--while offering tips and support to the readers.
Although there are many insights in this book which will assist families with the author's situation (or even inform others), by no means does it come across as a how-to or informational guide. The chapters flow through the author's own life, telling her tale from beginning to end. She's honest, direct and even leaves herself vulnerable as she explains the different hardships (inward and outward) that she faced since the birth of her son. Although many of these deal with her son directly, others concern her own life--things which mother's in general can run into and are forced to confront.
The writing is personal, making it easy to get lost in her story. And although some moments are tissue box worthy, there are other golden ones, which shine through like a ray of light. All the while, the author peppers in tips and helpful information that she herself collected. This doesn't only deal with the different organizations and her dealings with them, but also ways to handle some of life's biggest waves. With small lists, she demonstrates how a person can find footing and realize how to keep the truly important things in sight. There are other tips which help with inner family communication.
Summed up, this is a lovely book for women who are raising children with disabilities, their family members or even relatives and friends.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my thoughts.
Shortly after her son's birth, Sandy Scott was forced to face the fact that her son was born with a condition, which would possibly not allow him to survive longer than his first year. This book follows her real life experiences--ups and downs--while offering tips and support to the readers.
Although there are many insights in this book which will assist families with the author's situation (or even inform others), by no means does it come across as a how-to or informational guide. The chapters flow through the author's own life, telling her tale from beginning to end. She's honest, direct and even leaves herself vulnerable as she explains the different hardships (inward and outward) that she faced since the birth of her son. Although many of these deal with her son directly, others concern her own life--things which mother's in general can run into and are forced to confront.
The writing is personal, making it easy to get lost in her story. And although some moments are tissue box worthy, there are other golden ones, which shine through like a ray of light. All the while, the author peppers in tips and helpful information that she herself collected. This doesn't only deal with the different organizations and her dealings with them, but also ways to handle some of life's biggest waves. With small lists, she demonstrates how a person can find footing and realize how to keep the truly important things in sight. There are other tips which help with inner family communication.
Summed up, this is a lovely book for women who are raising children with disabilities, their family members or even relatives and friends.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my thoughts.
December 27, 2016
First up I was given a free copy of this book to review on my blog (http://adlibbed.blogspot.co.uk/) which I will do in the new year along with an interview with the author. This hasn't influenced my opinion of the book at all.
As a disabled mother with one child who has inherited a congenital bone disease from me, I found much to relate to here. As a UK reader I am not familiar with Scotts career choices or the many agencies she works with and for but the story is so well told this didn't matter. Where the details somtimes left me a little confused the heart of the story never failed to keep me engaged.
As a disabled mother with one child who has inherited a congenital bone disease from me, I found much to relate to here. As a UK reader I am not familiar with Scotts career choices or the many agencies she works with and for but the story is so well told this didn't matter. Where the details somtimes left me a little confused the heart of the story never failed to keep me engaged.
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