Third Time Lucky: How Ben Shows Us the Way

by Michael George

Third Time Lucky is raw emotion. It will make you laugh and make you cry. An honest, compelling, sometimes painful, but mostly uplifting story that reflects the shared reality of families all over the world.
Connie Laurin-Bowie, Executive Director, Inclusion International

This book is an eye-opener and an important contribution to the on-going discussion about how society supports and includes people with a disability and their families.
Ken Pike, Disability and Human Rights Advocate


Mrs. George, we have a problem. You have a very sick baby. He may not live the day.

No parent should ever hear these words, and yet they were only the beginning. Born with multiple disabilities, Ben was just hours old and forced to fight for his life; it hardly seemed fair. His parents were told only of a bleak future for their son and were then left on their own to deal with all of his problems. Third Time How Ben shows us the way is their story of learning to cope with never-ending emotional and physical exhaustion, a task so daunting no one really understood just how close they were to falling apart. Most days, survival was all they could hope for.

Despite being told Ben might never walk, or talk, or go to school, Mike and Jan were determined to unleash the smart, social, loving boy who was trapped deep inside a spastic body. They saw him as a real person, not a clinical statistic. Through their pain, they developed a oneness few couples ever come to know. Graced with angels throughout their journey, they never gave up, navigating mountains of obstacles while battling public indifference.

Third Time How Ben shows us the way reinforces the miracle and fragility of human life and is an inspiration to those who have been told, Theres nothing anyone can do to help you!

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2012

Reviews

[Maureen Creamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. Michael George's sharing of his family's experiences in such an honest, open and matter-of-fact way gives evidence to how strong their bond is. This book will prove to be a valuable resource and support to families living in similar circumstances.

[Carol Sleep · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down once I started reading it. Mike wrote with such transparency, allowing his readers to feel/sense the reality of their situation and how they overcame so many obstacles day after day. Mike and Jan are truly special people and God knew that when he placed Ben in their family. The medical profession saw a very sick baby that they thought would not live, Mike and Jan saw a precious child, their child, a real person and in the face of adversity and all odds against them, they saw beyond those first words they heard and dared to dream bigger for Ben. Having worked in the same company with Mike for many years, I knew about Ben, but in reading this book, I realized I didn't really have any idea what they were going through. My heart was overwhelmed with the thought of how we are so busy living our own lives that we really have no idea what is going on in someone else's. The unseen struggles, the battles being fought and the victories won. This book would be such an encouragement to other parents faced with a child born with multiple disabilities.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenges that Mike and his family have faced with raising Ben. They have remained steadfast and committed throughout what at times, seem like almost insurmountable obstacles. As a healthcare professional, I was especially aware of how the care that Ben received depended so much on the nature of those providing it. The people who really care, jump out at you and the others make you embarrassed for their lack of understanding and even ignorance.
The style of his writing, allows the reader to feel as though they are right there with Mike and his family as they attempt to provide the best experiences that they can for all three of their children. The book was emotional, eye-opening and most of all, inspiring! For families who face similar cases, I would think that it will give them the fortitude to carry on in the best interests of the child they have been entrusted to love and care for, despite the naysayers who may try to discredit their attempts.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully honest account of life in the early years of Ben's life. It is very sad these days that many people, unable to care for themselves, have only the minimum done to maintain their existence, or less. This is clearly not the case in Ben's life. Although the journey for answers, resources and assistance was difficult, you and your family had the courage and love to enhance Ben's life and rejoice in how he has enhanced yours. I thank you for sharing your most inner feelings and experiences with such clarity that you would think it was happening now, not over 20 years ago. Others raising children with disabilities now have a fantastic reference to aid them on their own courageous journeys. I know I have a personal friend who is raising a boy with Cerebral Palsy. I have sent her a copy of your book. Your wonderful work will help so many!
Jennifer Arnette

[Spohara1965 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone with children. After reading the first page, I was hooked and could not put it down. Mike has opened his life to the reader, sharing his deepest emotions and his personal journey, through the challenges and joys of the first years of Ben's life. Having known Mike and Jan for a few weeks before reading the book, I was already impressed with their ability to juggle all of the responsibilities and challenges that they face daily. I am now just in awe of what they have gone through and managed to not only get through it together, but to have the ability to share their story and help others who face similar challenges in raising children with challenges, in a medical and education system that seem unable and unwilling to provide any creative assistance. Thank you for sharing your story, Mike.

[Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book before a weekend away and finished it before the end of the weekend. It is a very honest account about the challenges they faced raising Ben as they also continued to balance all other aspects of their life and family including two other children. I don't think there could have been a better home for Ben or for Conor and Tori. I have known and worked with Mike for many years and have always thought that, but did not know the extent of their struggles. Now it's even more evident what wonderful parents and people they are. A must read for anyone experiencing unexpected challenges with their children. Mike and Jan's persistance in pursuing treatment for Ben and having him reach his potential will give you hope and strength.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, what an honest account of a loving families struggle to help their son. Mike and Jan's persistence at seeing that Ben received the best care and treatment possible, while balancing the every difficult task of maintaining the entire families needs. Ben, Tori and Conor are truly lucky to have such committed parents.I'm sure this book will be a great support for other families dealing with similiar issues.Thanks for sharing your story, it's a great read!

[Jennifer Campion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was thought provoking and a genuine eye opener as to the unique experiences that Ben and his family have lived through. As an educator, I have worked with many parents and students over the years. Ben, Connor and Tori are so fortunate to have such caring and dedicated parents as Jan and Mike. I particularly enjoyed Mike’s style of writing using asides and antidotes. I look forward to the next installment!!!

[Ginny Hourihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It invokes so many emotions. You can feel the frustrations, pain, joy as you read it. It covers 5 years of their life with Ben but I wanted to hear more! Mike and Jan, Conor and Tori were the perfect family for Ben to join. Their unconditional dedication, patience and love makes me believe that Ben was also one lucky boy himself to find them.

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was trully like walking in Michael's shoes as he went to the trials and tribulations of raising a child with special needs.

It also made it that much more real that I knew one of the doctor's described in the book.