Vujicic Boris - Raising the perfectly imperfect child: facing challenges with strength, courage, and hope

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 Nicks character. In this wonderful book, you will discover a fathers loving heart for the son he did not quite expectand you will learn that there is much more to successfully raising a child with a disability than youd 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!

J ONI E ARECKSON T ADA, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

This book is a profoundly moving, triumphant testimony of 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.

R OBIN B ERMAN, MD, author of Permission to Parent: How to Raise Your Child with Love and Limits

I am so excited about this book. As someone who lost an eye to cancer at the age of five, I know my parents would have welcomed such an invaluable resource. Nick is a shining example of how strategic parenting can position us imperfect children to make a world of difference. Thank you, Boris, for this important tool.

L ISA B EVERE, Messenger International, best-selling author of Lioness Arising, Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry, and Fight Like a Girl

I was born without limbs, and my disabilities have brought many challenges, yet Ive often said anyone who grows up without loving and supportive parents has far more to overcome than I did. I cant imagine how difficult that would be.

My father and mother were always there for me. Thats 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 adult. At the age of nineteen, I announced plans for my first international speaking tour. I had arranged to travel to South Africa with the goal of giving away twenty thousand dollars in savings to needy orphans there.

My parents strongly objected to this audacious plan, as you might imagine. They were concerned for my safety while journeying through a rugged part of the world in a wheelchair. And they were shocked that I would dish out my hard-earned nest egg at such a young age.

I reminded them that theyd always said there were no limits on my life, and every single night of my childhood theyd made sure I prayed and asked God to help the poor children of the world.

You planted the seeds for this! I said.

They were not amused, but they did not stand in my way. Mum and Dad are still sometimes taken aback by my big dreams and adventurous spirit, but they are always encouraging and willing to pitch in.