Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I received a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

I bought some beautiful hanging baskets from the grocery store a few weeks back. Pink and cream petunias billowed from the sides of the planters, cascading down with all kinds of springtime potential. Over the next few days, the cream petunias died off.  A few stragglers remain, but now the flowers are mostly pink.  They’re still pretty, and I enjoy looking at them.  Still, they’re not as lovely as when they had the pink and cream, the way they were when I bought them.  In the book The Life We Never Expected, authors Andrew and Rachel Wilson describe parenthood with special needs children in rather the same manner. It’s still parenting, but just not the way they expected. The two share the wisdom they’ve learned from tough parenting.

Though clearly not as labor-intensive as parenting one, working with special needs children over the years has given me a unique experience with them.  Autism particularly provides a challenge, especially since it affects each child in different ways.   In some ways I felt like the stories in this book are trying to one-up parents of non-special needs children. While I realize that’s not the intention of the authors, it may come across that way to some readers.  At one point, losing a child to SIDS is implied as being similar to having a special needs child.   One of my dearest friends has a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I think she would strongly disagree with that perspective.   I don’t want to take those points out of context, but the book does represent viewpoints unique to those who deal with these types of issues.  Parents of children with special needs will likely benefit the most from this book, simply because they can relate to some of the struggles that type of parenthood entails.

The Wilson couple is candid about the difficulties they’ve faced as parents of special needs children.  The good news is that they’re a power duo. They both pitch in and share the hard moments.  It’s easy to see how their united front, combined with their deep faith, fosters a spirit of strength.  In many ways, they’ve chosen to overlook the insignificant (who cares if there are no pillows on the couch?) and tackle the big stuff. The Wilsons’ words of wisdom sprinkle through the pages, laced with hope and encouragement for those who shoulder the burden of special needs labels.

Enter to win a copy of The Life We Never Expected.  The giveaway is open to US/CAN readers, ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law.  Please note the specific sponsor guidelines listed below. Good luck!

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.