Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child: Facing Challenges with Strength, Courage, and Hope

Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child: Facing Challenges with Strength, Courage, and Hope

Your guide to giving your child with special needs love, roots, & wings “You may lack limbs, but don’t let that define what you can or can’t do.”   That’s the life-changing advice Boris Vujicic spoke to his son, Nick, who was born without arms or legs. With the help of his parents, Nick has become an internationally known inspirational speaker, a best-selling author, the founder of the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs and, most importantly, a loving and responsible husband and father himself.       But Nick’s journey didn’t start there. Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child is the inspiring, powerfully transparent story of how two unprepared and overwhelmed parents—Boris and Dushka Vujicic—overcame their grief, fears, and badly shaken faith to raise such an accomplished, faith-filled, and perfectly imperfect son.       Through their stories, Boris offers practical advice and encouragement for all parents facing a “new normal” when raising a child with special needs or unique challenges. With tenderness, he addresses the spiritual, emotional, and financial challenges, and offers insights on how to equip a child for happiness and success in life.   “I highly recommend Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child to anyone who has questions about bringing up a special-needs son or daughter.” —Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center   “A profoundly moving, triumphant testimony to what it means to be an extraordinary parent.” --Robin Berman, MD, author of Permission to Parent: How to Raise Your Child with Love and Limits “Everyone knows that Nick Vujicic is a remarkable man of great courage, passion, and grace. But most people do not know the person who invested the most in shaping Nick’s character. In this wonderful book, you will discover a father’s loving heart for the son he did not quite expect—and you will learn that there is much more to successfully raising a child with a disability than you’d ever imagine. I highly recommend Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child to anyone who has questions about bringing up a special-needs son or daughter. Actually, its powerful and very personal message will bless any parents who long to show the unbiased love of Christ within their family. Read it and be blessed!” — Joni Eareckson Tada , Joni and Friends International Disability Center “This book is a profoundly moving, triumphant testimony to what it means to be an extraordinary parent. Embracing who your child is, coupled with unconditional love, high expectations, and faith all open the door to unlimited possibilities. Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child is a deeply inspirational, heart-wrenching, and heartwarming journey that shines a bright light on exemplary parenting.” — Robin Berman, MD , author of Permission to Parent: How to Raise Your Child with Love and Limits "This book is not for the faint of heart. It deals honestly with Nick’s physical disabilities and the difficulties his parents faced, but it is written from a distinctively Christian perspective....If you know someone who has a child with disabilities, this book is not only well worth the read; it’s a must-read."  — The Baptist Standard BORIS VUJICIC is chief systems and financial officer for Attitude Is Altitude Inc., the organization established by his son Nick. Born in Yugoslavia, Boris immigrated with his family to Australia. He and his wife, Dushka, have started two churches and helped in the missions and ministry of several more churches in other countries. Boris and his family reside in Los Angeles. Foreword by Nick Vujicic  I was born without limbs, and my disabilities have brought many challenges, yet I’ve often said anyone who grows up without loving and supportive parents has far more to overcome than I did. I can’t imagine how difficult that would be.  My father and mother were always there for me. That’s not to say they coddled me or gave me everything I wanted. As my father notes in this wise and insightful book, my grandparents and others often wondered how my mother could not rush to help me as I struggled to stand as a toddler.  “Let him figure it out,” my mum would say. “He needs to do things for himself.”  I admit this approach sometimes annoyed me, especially when my parents required me to earn my allowance by vacuuming the house, cleaning my room, and making my bed. Then there were the many long nights Dad drilled me on math problems while my idle Nintendo games called me to come play.  I understand now that they were being good parents. They worked to instill a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, and a foundation of faith in me and in my brother and sister as well. They also told me nearly every day that there were no limits on my life. “You may lack limbs, but you can do anything you want,” they said.  Later my father and mother may have wondered if they were too successful at giving me the roots and wings to become an independent ad