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Zak, My Boy Wonder
“Zak’s amazing personality shines through to inspire others who encounter ostracism and unkindness because they look different.” Kimberlee J Benart for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars After a whirlwind romance, imagine the excitement of discovering you’re pregnant with a baby boy to complete your family. Then imagine your baby is critically ill, and the medical team you trusted to help, abandon you at the last moment. ‘Zak, My Boy Wonder’ is a short, harrowing but inspirational true story of a mother’s fight for her son’s survival and acceptance in society, and how the military authorities deserted her family when they needed them most.
146 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2019
About the author
Deb McEwan
84 books59 followersFollowing a career of over thirty years in the British Army, Deb and her husband moved to Cyprus to become weather refugees.
Deb loves spending time with her husband Allan and rescue dog Sandy. She also loves writing, keeping fit, and socialising, and does her best to avoid housework.
She’s written children's books about Jason the penguin and Barry the reindeer and young adult/adult books about dogs, the afterlife, soldiers, and netball players.
The first book in the Unlikely Soldiers series is set in nineteen-seventies Britain. The second covers the early eighties and includes the Falklands War, service in Northern Ireland and (the former) West Germany. 'Friends and Revenge' is the third in the series, and takes a sinister turn of events.
'Court Out (A Netball Girls' Drama)' is Deb's latest standalone novel. Using netball as an escape from her miserable home life, Marsha Lawson is desperate to keep the past buried and to forge a brighter future. But she’s not the only one with secrets. When two players want revenge, a tsunami of emotions is released at a tournament, leaving destruction in its wake. As the wave starts spreading throughout the team, can Marsha and the others escape its deadly grasp, or will their emotional baggage pull them under,
with devastating consequences for their families and team-mates?
The Afterlife series was inspired by ants. Deb was in the garden contemplating whether to squash an irritating ant or to let it live. She wondered whether anyone up there decides the same about us and thus the series was born.
‘The Island Dog Squad’ is a series of novellas inspired by the rescue dog Deb and Allan adopted this March. The real Sandy is a sensitive soul, not quite like her fictional namesake, and the other characters are based on Sandy’s real-life mates.
For more information visit www.debmcewansbooksandblogs.com.
Deb loves spending time with her husband Allan and rescue dog Sandy. She also loves writing, keeping fit, and socialising, and does her best to avoid housework.
She’s written children's books about Jason the penguin and Barry the reindeer and young adult/adult books about dogs, the afterlife, soldiers, and netball players.
The first book in the Unlikely Soldiers series is set in nineteen-seventies Britain. The second covers the early eighties and includes the Falklands War, service in Northern Ireland and (the former) West Germany. 'Friends and Revenge' is the third in the series, and takes a sinister turn of events.
'Court Out (A Netball Girls' Drama)' is Deb's latest standalone novel. Using netball as an escape from her miserable home life, Marsha Lawson is desperate to keep the past buried and to forge a brighter future. But she’s not the only one with secrets. When two players want revenge, a tsunami of emotions is released at a tournament, leaving destruction in its wake. As the wave starts spreading throughout the team, can Marsha and the others escape its deadly grasp, or will their emotional baggage pull them under,
with devastating consequences for their families and team-mates?
The Afterlife series was inspired by ants. Deb was in the garden contemplating whether to squash an irritating ant or to let it live. She wondered whether anyone up there decides the same about us and thus the series was born.
‘The Island Dog Squad’ is a series of novellas inspired by the rescue dog Deb and Allan adopted this March. The real Sandy is a sensitive soul, not quite like her fictional namesake, and the other characters are based on Sandy’s real-life mates.
For more information visit www.debmcewansbooksandblogs.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2020
Definitely a Boy Wonder
What an uplifting true story about a boy who was born with a very rare cleft lip and palate. This book is Joanne's (Zak's Mom) telling of before Zak was born to his teen years. Yes, I found this story uplifting, even though there were many moments that you wanted to cry with Joanne. But, Zak always managed to pull through. His mother's nickname of "Boy Wonder" is truly fitting, although I think he should be called "Work in Progress to become the handsomest, miraculous Wonder Boy".
What an uplifting true story about a boy who was born with a very rare cleft lip and palate. This book is Joanne's (Zak's Mom) telling of before Zak was born to his teen years. Yes, I found this story uplifting, even though there were many moments that you wanted to cry with Joanne. But, Zak always managed to pull through. His mother's nickname of "Boy Wonder" is truly fitting, although I think he should be called "Work in Progress to become the handsomest, miraculous Wonder Boy".
October 28, 2019
Book 100 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019
Dr. Seuss was right when he said 'Why fit in when you were born to stand out?' Zak certainly stands out, he truly is a 'Boy Wonder' he is thoughtful and caring and even though he has endured countless operations since being born his smiles will still manage to melt your heart. A truly inspirational young man.
This is a heart-wrenching story, more so than any other book I have ever read because sadly it is TRUE! This is a memoir unlike any other and it has taken thirteen years for Jo to feel she has the strength and the time to share her story with us. The story of how she and her family have overcome so many obstacles when bringing a critically ill baby into the world.
The book although not terribly long is dotted throughout with images of Zak right from birth and as he grows and goes through ever more operations so his smile grows and reaches into your very soul.
The parts that stand out for me are those where Zak has undergone another major operation and awakes to ask for food. The boy always seems to be hungry but then that has to be a good sign.
You cannot help but fall in love with this young man and his family, a truly inspirational story. Very highly recommended.
Dr. Seuss was right when he said 'Why fit in when you were born to stand out?' Zak certainly stands out, he truly is a 'Boy Wonder' he is thoughtful and caring and even though he has endured countless operations since being born his smiles will still manage to melt your heart. A truly inspirational young man.
This is a heart-wrenching story, more so than any other book I have ever read because sadly it is TRUE! This is a memoir unlike any other and it has taken thirteen years for Jo to feel she has the strength and the time to share her story with us. The story of how she and her family have overcome so many obstacles when bringing a critically ill baby into the world.
The book although not terribly long is dotted throughout with images of Zak right from birth and as he grows and goes through ever more operations so his smile grows and reaches into your very soul.
The parts that stand out for me are those where Zak has undergone another major operation and awakes to ask for food. The boy always seems to be hungry but then that has to be a good sign.
You cannot help but fall in love with this young man and his family, a truly inspirational story. Very highly recommended.
October 16, 2019
I moved to Cyprus with my husband in 2013 and met Joanne Lythgoe shortly after. We became friends and over a glass (or two) of wine one night, she told me the heart-breaking story of what happened when she was pregnant with her second child, Zak.
Joanne’s partner was based in Cyprus with the RAF. When Zak was conceived and it was later discovered he had a very rare cleft palate, the RAF promised he would receive medical treatment at the British military medical facilities in Cyprus. (Her partner’s two other children were entitled to use the British military medical facilities, so she had no reason to doubt this information). In light of this promise Joanne decided to remain in Cyprus, secure in the knowledge that her seriously ill baby would get all the help he needed as soon as he was born.
But that promise was broken and the family had to fight for Zak’s life, and later, for his acceptance in society.
‘Zak, My Boy Wonder’ is the short, harrowing, but inspirational story of Joanne’s pregnancy and Zak’s life so far.
https://smarturl.it/pb1ymf
Joanne’s partner was based in Cyprus with the RAF. When Zak was conceived and it was later discovered he had a very rare cleft palate, the RAF promised he would receive medical treatment at the British military medical facilities in Cyprus. (Her partner’s two other children were entitled to use the British military medical facilities, so she had no reason to doubt this information). In light of this promise Joanne decided to remain in Cyprus, secure in the knowledge that her seriously ill baby would get all the help he needed as soon as he was born.
But that promise was broken and the family had to fight for Zak’s life, and later, for his acceptance in society.
‘Zak, My Boy Wonder’ is the short, harrowing, but inspirational story of Joanne’s pregnancy and Zak’s life so far.
https://smarturl.it/pb1ymf
April 6, 2020
A Brave Life
Zak is such a lucky boy to have such a wonderful mother and family. Because of that, he has a terrific outlook on life. With such a great spirit, he's sure to go far.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us all. I'm sure it will help others who follow this path and also will open some eyes and help people accept others as they are.
Zak is such a lucky boy to have such a wonderful mother and family. Because of that, he has a terrific outlook on life. With such a great spirit, he's sure to go far.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us all. I'm sure it will help others who follow this path and also will open some eyes and help people accept others as they are.
July 9, 2020
What troopers I wasn't sure I'd be able to read this as my niece only lived 6 weeks with us before loosing her battle with a cleft palate (and other underlying conditions) but im glad I did. He is such an amazement as are you. Thanks for sharing your story.
October 30, 2019
inspirational
Have just finished reading My Boy Wonder. Truely Inspirational. Well done to Deb And Joanne and Zak not forgetting India and the rest of the family xx
Have just finished reading My Boy Wonder. Truely Inspirational. Well done to Deb And Joanne and Zak not forgetting India and the rest of the family xx
June 5, 2021
Super Mom, Super kid
A relentless, never-give-up mom, Jo, provides her disabled son, Zak, the opportunities he needs to be a successful child and adult. Born with a rare cleft palate disorder, he was also three months early and had extreme breathing problems. Due to medical maltreatment he became blind in one eye.
Mom lived with him at the hospital for several months until he was weaned off a ventilator, followed by surgeries to repair the cleft palate.
She tolerated severe mistreatment and psychological abuse by medical personnel and his Dad's employer during his first year. Zak was refused treatment or insurance coverage because his parents weren't married. Their relationship suffered while she was in the hospital with him. Eventually, Mom became a single parent raising two kids.
She was so dedicated to providing the best life possible for them. Super stressful medical needs continued to line the path of his life.
All their extended family was very kind, giving and supportive. They provided the support needed.
Disability rights advocate, speech teachers, special education teachers and anyone involved in a special needs child will be drawn to this book. Some may find the traumatic emotional toll one experiences reading about Zak's first years may be too much to handle.
A relentless, never-give-up mom, Jo, provides her disabled son, Zak, the opportunities he needs to be a successful child and adult. Born with a rare cleft palate disorder, he was also three months early and had extreme breathing problems. Due to medical maltreatment he became blind in one eye.
Mom lived with him at the hospital for several months until he was weaned off a ventilator, followed by surgeries to repair the cleft palate.
She tolerated severe mistreatment and psychological abuse by medical personnel and his Dad's employer during his first year. Zak was refused treatment or insurance coverage because his parents weren't married. Their relationship suffered while she was in the hospital with him. Eventually, Mom became a single parent raising two kids.
She was so dedicated to providing the best life possible for them. Super stressful medical needs continued to line the path of his life.
All their extended family was very kind, giving and supportive. They provided the support needed.
Disability rights advocate, speech teachers, special education teachers and anyone involved in a special needs child will be drawn to this book. Some may find the traumatic emotional toll one experiences reading about Zak's first years may be too much to handle.
September 5, 2020
Wonderfully written Book
I loved that Zak had such a wonderful Caring Dedicated Mother.
Very Happy for Zac that all his Surgeries have helped improve the Quality of his young life.
Zak is a fine looking young Man & I wish him a very Happy Healthy Future
I loved that Zak had such a wonderful Caring Dedicated Mother.
Very Happy for Zac that all his Surgeries have helped improve the Quality of his young life.
Zak is a fine looking young Man & I wish him a very Happy Healthy Future
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews