Raising Nathan Against All Odds: Discovering the Blessings, Joy, and Purpose in Raising a Child with Disabilities, by Jamaican Christine Staple Ebanks, recently received the prestigious March 2024 International Impact Book Award, a recognition that celebrates impactful books that resonate with the organisation’s quest to highlight books — self-published or from traditional publishing houses.

The book, which Staple Ebanks calls “a deeply healing journey”, offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with disabilities and is now conveniently available on major platforms such as Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Staple Ebanks tells Bookends, “Reflecting on the past nineteen years since my son’s diagnosis, I am humbled by the journey we’ve travelled. The initial shock and uncertainty felt overwhelming, shrouding our lives in fear and doubt. However, what initially seemed like an insurmountable setback revealed itself to be a divine set-up for a remarkable comeback.

“Surrendering to God’s will, I discovered a profound sense of purpose that guided our path, unveiling layers of resilience, faith, and unexpected blessings. This book is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit and a tribute to the love and support that can be found in unexpected places. As I embraced my new role as a parent to a child with special needs and a parent-professional advocate, I discovered an incredible ‘village’ community of fellow parents—whom I fondly refer to as travellers — educators, clinicians, healthcare professionals, and prayer supporters.

“They have become invaluable pillars of support in my journey, and I am deeply grateful for their presence. This community, which spans across borders and cultures, is a testament to the universal challenges and joys of raising a child with disabilities. These connections and networks served as God’s reinforcement, empowering me to navigate the complexities of raising a child with disabilities across two vastly different worlds: Jamaica, where resources are scarce, and the United States, with its intricate support systems. These worlds have actively demonstrated that it requires faith, patience, grit, know-how, and determination to support a loved one with disabilities in any country responsively. I am forever indebted to this community for their unwavering support and love. Through these experiences, I understood the transformative power of our voices when we share our stories.”

Dr Anandita Oberoi, adjunct professor of Human Services and editor of Human Services Today Magazine, in endorsing the book, described it as “a must-read for anyone with or supporting a child or individuals with a disability”.

Within the pages, readers will find candid insights into the challenges Staple Ebanks’s family has encountered, along with practical advice on other families, using her examples, can similarly navigate their own situation, by seeing challenging times as opportunities for growth, finding the silver lining while making the most out of these experiences.

To learn more about Raising Nathan Against All Odds: Discovering the Blessings, Joy, and Purpose in Raising a Child with Disabilities and to order your copy today, please visit https://a.co/d/cT6B8VR. You can also visit https://raisingspecialneeds.us/