Every Least Sparrow
6 x 9 inches | 266 pages
Hardcover: 978-1942146513
Paperback ISBN: 978-1942146506
Ebook ISBN: 978-1942146520

EVERY LEAST SPARROW

CAROLYN WALKER

About the Book

A child can simultaneously break your heart and set it free. Such is the case with Jennifer Walker, born with the rare Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, which severely challenges her mental and physical capabilities, even as it piques her mother’s dread of the unknown. Jennifer’s is a disorder that most doctors have never encountered, one that informs the story of Every Least Sparrow.

On the night of her birth, the Walkers’ pediatrician lays out a new reality that will upend their household. He speaks of deformities that make no sense: spatula thumbs, cathedral palate, webbed neck, beak nose, a bird face. Confused and frightened, baby in hand, determined to find healing and understanding, Jennifer’s mother, a journalist writing about life in their small midwestern town, embarks on a quest that takes them from doctor to doctor, hospital to hospital, and state to state.

It’s a quest filled with surgeries, therapies, and educational interventions, mitigated by Jennifer’s love of music and her fun, curious obsession with the Titanic – one that forces her mother to examine her own prejudices. Her combined private and professional lives impact Jennifer’s mother in a profound way, creating for her a new understanding of what it means to be wife, mother, and human being.

Filled with natural self-esteem, Jennifer never realizes she is different from others. Instead, she becomes their teacher, proving that disability is but a notion. Spirited and impish, brave and loving, she takes her obstacles in stride, and throws herself into the excitement of life – friendships, romance, employment.

Those who know her eventually come to think of Jennifer, in her lack of prejudice and guile, as someone to be envied. Jennifer proves to all in the most affecting way that it’s possible to surmount seemingly impossible hurdles, live fully, and love unconditionally.Endorsements and Reviews

Endorsements and Reviews

“Every Least Sparrow” is one of those rare books that combines honesty, depth, tears and laughter. Carolyn Walker unflinchingly tackles the subject of raising a challenged child. There are intimate scenes of every aspect of family life centering on the raising of Jennifer, who brings her own bright spirit into all that she touches. It’s such lyrical writing about such a difficult subject, that I couldn’t put it down.” – Amazon

“Every Least Sparrow has, among moments of trepidation and sorrow, incredible moments of joy and brilliance. It’s an account of love and amazement. It reminds me that, as parents, we we wish the best for the children, and hope that they will grow to be wise, but their existence and purpose in life is their own, and the way they view the world is independent from us. The best we can do is nurture and love them and then let them fly.” – Amazon

“A wonderful story that chronicles the joys and sorrows of parenting a disabled child. You realize Jennifer is a child filled with love for others and enjoys life to its fullest. The story will leave you feeling hopeful! I highly recommend it!” – Amazon

“This is a very touching and heart-felt story that reveals both the anguish and the deep love and joy of caring for a sweet disabled child. It is surprisingly uplifting and is amazingly honest and very readable. I highly recommend this great book.” – Amazon

“This book will be mandatory reading and discussion for resident dentists in my training program, and I will recommend it nationally through our professional groups. Nurses, special education teachers, physicians-especially pediatricians, counselors, social workers, and clergy will all learn from the experiences of this family.” – Amazon

“Great read you will find yourself inspired by Jennifer and her family. This book would make a wonderful addition to any medical or nursing school experience.” – Amazon

“What a wonderful book! I could feel all the ups and downs of raising a child with special needs and my heart just exploded with joy as Jennifer grew-up. It was an engaging read and anyone who has raised a child with special needs will definitely relate to this book.” – Amazon

“This is such a beautiful story of Faith, Hope, and Love — “Faith to keep believing without seeing; hope to carry on when life seems dark; and Love that hangs around though problems do abound.” What an amazing family. What an amazing book. I definitely recommend Every Least Sparrow.” – Amazon

“Ms. Walker is a talented writer and her family story is all the better for it. A challenged child also challenges our capacity for joyousness. This is a must read not only for those who live with or work with special people but also those who appreciate a good book!” – Amazon

“The entire journey, fraught with frustration, despair and determination, is also saturated with love, not a thin, saccharine love but rather a robust, hard won, fierce and eternal kind of love. Beautifully written, a compelling read.” – Amazon

“Beautifully written, an ispiring story of a mothers search for answers. Would be a helpful guide for anyone dealing with the unexpected consequences of a disabled child.” – Amazon

“This book is so honest and raw and beautiful. It gives you an intimate, real-life view of a family riding the waves of raising and living with a special needs child. This book is an inspiring read for parents and families with special needs children and, truly, a wonderfully shared journey that will capture and uplift any reader.” – Amazon

“Grace, courage and steadfast love is what you’ll find in Carolyn Walker’s new book. Walker describes growing up her daughter Jennifer, with RT syndrome, to independent living. This is a beautifully written many-layered book of family survival.” – Amazon