About this item
Through parenting a child with a disability, a father discovers patience, acceptance, and unconditional love. In 1987, Paul Austin and his wife Sally were newlyweds, excited about their future together and happily anticipating the birth of their first child. He was a medical student and she was a nurse. Everything changed the moment the doctor rushed their infant daughter from the room just after her birth, knowing instantly that something was wrong. Sarah had almond-shaped eyes, a single crease across her palm instead of three, and low-set ears -- all of which suggested that the baby had Down syndrome.Beginning on the day Sarah is born and ending when she is a young adult living in a group home, Beautiful Eyes is the story of a father's journey toward acceptance of a child who is different.
About the Author
For twenty-five years, Paul Austin has worked in emergencies - first as a firefighter, and more recently, as an ER doctor. His book, "Something For the Pain," is about the way his job almost wrecked his family.
It turns out, that working rotating shifts in a busy ER can make you, and the people around you, miserable. Paul had to learn, sometimes the hard way, that he had to take care of himself in order to take care of his family and patients.
When Paul was in medical school, his wife, Sally and he, had a child named Sarah. Sarah was born with Down syndrome. Paul did his best as a father and husband, but he often had difficulty "seeing past" the Down syndrome. His second book, "Beautiful Eyes: a Father Transformed, tells this story. As it turned out, writing the book helped him to see what a beautiful person his daughter is. The book was chosen by People Magazine as a "People's Picks - Best New Books"
"Raising a child with Down syndrome, the author had plenty of fears and preconceptions. But from babyhood to adult-hood, Sarah challenged him to accept her not as a dire diagnosis but as a beloved, inspiring daughter. This isn't a book only for those dealing with disability; it's a ferocious, illuminating look at the stunning surprise of human connection."
People Magazine, Nov. 3, 2014
Please also visit Paul's website: www.paulethanaustin.com
