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Becoming Brave Together: Heroic, Extraordinary Caregiving Stories from Mothers Hidden in Plain Sight
Meet the exhausted group of caregiving mothers who offer extraordinary care to a child with disabilities or unique needs. These unsung heroes, who walk invisibly among us, dedicate time, energy, love, and their entire lives to help their loved one who is unable to help themselves.
A child with a rare degenerative disease. A sibling with autism. A teen wading through anxiety and depression. An adult child with a debilitating illness. A child with extreme ADHD. The single common light in the darkness of their life’s journey is often their mother, she is the one person who holds the fragile balance all together.
But who holds her all together?
Becoming Brave Together gives a voice to mothers walking an altered parenting journey.
Giving up is not a consideration. Many times, neither is a nap. These women provide unconditional, dedicated care every day (and, many times, every night) for their most vulnerable loved one. These extraordinary individuals press on with borrowed strength, living their own lives with an “always on” vigilance.
These are the stories of moms who refuse to quit. The ones who love with a depth that can seem almost super-human to those looking in. The ones who are exhausted, disconnected, and often lonely as a result of their unbreakable love.
Find encouragement, strength, and resolve through the stories of mothers who refuse to give up. Heart-wrenching, vulnerable, and joy-producing, their invisible journeys come into focus and the vision of their collective experiences shines brightly so ALL can see and be seen.
A child with a rare degenerative disease. A sibling with autism. A teen wading through anxiety and depression. An adult child with a debilitating illness. A child with extreme ADHD. The single common light in the darkness of their life’s journey is often their mother, she is the one person who holds the fragile balance all together.
But who holds her all together?
Becoming Brave Together gives a voice to mothers walking an altered parenting journey.
Giving up is not a consideration. Many times, neither is a nap. These women provide unconditional, dedicated care every day (and, many times, every night) for their most vulnerable loved one. These extraordinary individuals press on with borrowed strength, living their own lives with an “always on” vigilance.
These are the stories of moms who refuse to quit. The ones who love with a depth that can seem almost super-human to those looking in. The ones who are exhausted, disconnected, and often lonely as a result of their unbreakable love.
Find encouragement, strength, and resolve through the stories of mothers who refuse to give up. Heart-wrenching, vulnerable, and joy-producing, their invisible journeys come into focus and the vision of their collective experiences shines brightly so ALL can see and be seen.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
17 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 30, 2024
In the book Becoming Brave Together, caregivers share beautiful insights on the journey- how to cope, how to process, and how to tread on, carefully and gently as they have embraced the life of caring for others. It’s honest, forthright, and humbling- sharing vulnerability on the hopes that those reading will gain the support and understanding, as well as a road map on how to cope and deal with the hard stuff, laugh at the laughable, and come out more expansive and confident than when first reading. I was fortunate enough to get an advanced copy but I also bought my own so I could share with others- this is the book you share!
June 5, 2024
Every great movie includes a montage that captures the essence of the lives it portrays. In a similar vein, this book serves as a montage of my own life. It revisits the challenges of facing a diagnosis, surviving years of caregiving, enduring burnout and isolation, and culminates in the hope for my children's independence.
The caregiving journey is just that—a journey—and each of us is at a different stage along the way. This book offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of numerous caregivers, each caring for children with various disabilities and navigating their unique paths. For those outside the caregiving space, it is challenging to comprehend the overwhelming complexities and profound joys that come with a lifetime of caregiving. This book provides an invaluable window into that world. Everyone should read it, discuss it, and find ways to create a more empathetic and supportive community for caregivers.
I deeply appreciate the candor and vulnerability of these women, and I am profoundly grateful to Jessica Patay for bringing this compilation to life.
The caregiving journey is just that—a journey—and each of us is at a different stage along the way. This book offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of numerous caregivers, each caring for children with various disabilities and navigating their unique paths. For those outside the caregiving space, it is challenging to comprehend the overwhelming complexities and profound joys that come with a lifetime of caregiving. This book provides an invaluable window into that world. Everyone should read it, discuss it, and find ways to create a more empathetic and supportive community for caregivers.
I deeply appreciate the candor and vulnerability of these women, and I am profoundly grateful to Jessica Patay for bringing this compilation to life.
July 30, 2024
I had the privilege of receiving a copy of Becoming Brave Together, a collection of short, inspiring stories written by mothers like myself who also call themselves caretakers.
Each short story is filled with pain and sorrow, but also with tremendous joy, strength, and the knowledge gained from their unique experiences as caregivers.
Every story resonated deeply with me. I felt as though I could have written many of these sentiments myself, providing a huge sense of solidarity and confirming the notion that we are indeed 'braver together.'
I never could have predicted my future as a mother to a child with uniquely challenging but beautiful additional needs. I have found it is indeed the village of moms who raise me up. This unique village, which almost all started as strangers, has now become like sisters. We share triumphs, we share devastations, but most importantly, we share a bond of togetherness on this journey that is often isolating and depleting.
This book and all of these women's stories reminded me that though I often feel stranded on an island, they are there swimming alongside me, trying to reach the mainland. The 'mainland' in this sense is access to medical and therapeutic interventions, understanding IEP plans and legal documents, navigating the management of self-hired home staff, and much more. All these things were once foreign and have now become ingrained in our day-to-day existence.
I found so much strength and wisdom in the words of these brave mothers, most of whom have been navigating the world of disabled parenting much longer than I have.
There is something to be said when you read someone else's words and feel validated and seen. This is exactly what this book provided for me as a caregiver, and it is what I hope it provides to the next reader too.
Thank you to Book Publicity Services for generously gifting me a copy of this book! My reading time had been significantly delayed due to my recent surgery, our family's bout of illness, and the general wear and tear of being a mother to a disabled child. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it in just a few days because I couldn't put it down.
Each short story is filled with pain and sorrow, but also with tremendous joy, strength, and the knowledge gained from their unique experiences as caregivers.
Every story resonated deeply with me. I felt as though I could have written many of these sentiments myself, providing a huge sense of solidarity and confirming the notion that we are indeed 'braver together.'
I never could have predicted my future as a mother to a child with uniquely challenging but beautiful additional needs. I have found it is indeed the village of moms who raise me up. This unique village, which almost all started as strangers, has now become like sisters. We share triumphs, we share devastations, but most importantly, we share a bond of togetherness on this journey that is often isolating and depleting.
This book and all of these women's stories reminded me that though I often feel stranded on an island, they are there swimming alongside me, trying to reach the mainland. The 'mainland' in this sense is access to medical and therapeutic interventions, understanding IEP plans and legal documents, navigating the management of self-hired home staff, and much more. All these things were once foreign and have now become ingrained in our day-to-day existence.
I found so much strength and wisdom in the words of these brave mothers, most of whom have been navigating the world of disabled parenting much longer than I have.
There is something to be said when you read someone else's words and feel validated and seen. This is exactly what this book provided for me as a caregiver, and it is what I hope it provides to the next reader too.
Thank you to Book Publicity Services for generously gifting me a copy of this book! My reading time had been significantly delayed due to my recent surgery, our family's bout of illness, and the general wear and tear of being a mother to a disabled child. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it in just a few days because I couldn't put it down.
June 13, 2024
Must read for parent caregivers!
Becoming Brave Together: Heroic, Extraordinary Caregiving Stories from Mothers Hidden in Plain Sight” is a book that truly touched my heart. From the first page, I felt like I was reading my own story. I told a friend those first few pages felt like I was writing them.
This book goes into the real, raw journeys of mothers caring for kids with disabilities or special needs. Each story highlights the love, dedication, and incredible strength it takes to be a caregiver. As I read about other moms dealing with rare diseases, autism, severe ADHD, and more, I felt a deep sense of connection and understanding.
The voices in this book are so genuine. These moms share their struggles, hopes, and the powerful bond they have with their children. It’s a powerful reminder that even in our toughest moments, we’re not alone.
“Becoming Brave Together” offers encouragement, strength, and a sense of community to those of us who often feel isolated.
I can’t recommend this book enough to fellow caregivers. It’s a beacon of hope and a reminder that together, we are brave.
Becoming Brave Together: Heroic, Extraordinary Caregiving Stories from Mothers Hidden in Plain Sight” is a book that truly touched my heart. From the first page, I felt like I was reading my own story. I told a friend those first few pages felt like I was writing them.
This book goes into the real, raw journeys of mothers caring for kids with disabilities or special needs. Each story highlights the love, dedication, and incredible strength it takes to be a caregiver. As I read about other moms dealing with rare diseases, autism, severe ADHD, and more, I felt a deep sense of connection and understanding.
The voices in this book are so genuine. These moms share their struggles, hopes, and the powerful bond they have with their children. It’s a powerful reminder that even in our toughest moments, we’re not alone.
“Becoming Brave Together” offers encouragement, strength, and a sense of community to those of us who often feel isolated.
I can’t recommend this book enough to fellow caregivers. It’s a beacon of hope and a reminder that together, we are brave.
September 12, 2024
Becoming Brave Together is a beautiful collection of stories from moms walking alongside you as a parent of a child with disabilities or medical complexities.
I wish I had this book when my son was born full term and unexpectedly admitted to the NICU, on the many diagnosis days that followed, and when we brought him home with a trach and feeding tube.
These stories gently guide the reader to grace, self discoveries, and encouragement through all stages of their unexpected life.
I highly recommend this book to any parent, family member or friend of those on a rare path. It is sure to give encouragement, perspective and peace to any reader.
I wish I had this book when my son was born full term and unexpectedly admitted to the NICU, on the many diagnosis days that followed, and when we brought him home with a trach and feeding tube.
These stories gently guide the reader to grace, self discoveries, and encouragement through all stages of their unexpected life.
I highly recommend this book to any parent, family member or friend of those on a rare path. It is sure to give encouragement, perspective and peace to any reader.
January 5, 2025
A beautiful representation to all the adaptive parenting mama’s out there. A must-read for neurodivergent and neurotypical parents to help bridge the gap and bring equality for inclusive children and caregivers.
July 19, 2024
Each chapter is written by a mother that gives all of herself to care for her medically complex child. I had such high hopes for this book, but at the end of a long day of medical caregiving I didn’t really want to read about it again… These women are incredible and we would have so much to bond over if we met for coffee, but the angle of the book wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. I want to commission someone to write the book I wanted this book to be…
June 14, 2024
The title hits it on the head. Caregiving is a process of becoming….becoming brave, becoming resilient, becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. It’s a process and we each get there in our own time. This beautifully written compilation of real-life caregiving stories will uplift, inspire and most importantly, remind parents caring for children with complex needs that they are not alone.
April 16, 2024
It would take a hard-hearted reader not to be moved and inspired by this courageous collection of personal stories by women who are Extreme Caregivers—the parents of children with disabilities and special needs. Most have multiple health issues, many of which I didn’t even know existed, and I was astounded and amazed by the hurdles these families must cross as they fight the fight “24/7” with grace and determination.
Becoming Brave Together is not just a fascinating read, it’s an important book for everyone. As one of the contributors explains it: “In the telling of our stories, there is the opportunity to unearth the gritty, messy, and often unbearable sorrow, as well as the triumph, of how we endured, evolved, and survived.”
For readers coping with these challenges, the book offers a path to follow with a beacon of light and hope at the end. For readers like me, who’ve had no direct personal experience with such issues, the book is an eye-opener with the potential to help all of us view special needs families with greater empathy and understanding; and to give them the respect and support they need and deserve.
Becoming Brave Together is not just a fascinating read, it’s an important book for everyone. As one of the contributors explains it: “In the telling of our stories, there is the opportunity to unearth the gritty, messy, and often unbearable sorrow, as well as the triumph, of how we endured, evolved, and survived.”
For readers coping with these challenges, the book offers a path to follow with a beacon of light and hope at the end. For readers like me, who’ve had no direct personal experience with such issues, the book is an eye-opener with the potential to help all of us view special needs families with greater empathy and understanding; and to give them the respect and support they need and deserve.
June 9, 2024
"Becoming Brave Together," touched my heart and soul. I am a mom of an adult with disabilities, and each essay uniquely resonated with me. "Yes, that's how I felt," was a common thought while reading this lovely book. I would strongly recommend this book to families, siblings, grandparents, special educators, medical professionals, or anybody who wants to know more about what it is like to raise a child who has complex needs! I also loved the contact info for each writer - I am now following many of the authors/moms.
September 16, 2024
This little book is like going on a walk with a friend who just gets it. I'm the mom to a son with a rare genetic syndrome (PWS, the same syndrome that author Jessica Patay's son has) and each story in this book made me feel seen and less alone. My favorite part about this book is that it perfectly balances the hard with the good. It doesn't gloss over the many challenges we have as parents of disabled children, but it also acknowledges strength and joy along the way. If you're feeling alone as the parent of a disabled or medically fragile child, this book is for you.
May 1, 2024
This book is a beautiful compilation of over 20 caregivers’ stories and reflections on this extraordinary caregiving journey. It will make you laugh, cry and definitely feel not alone. I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone living a life different from what you may have expected. It is also a wonderful resource and insight for friends and family to better understand and support. Please read and share this wonderful book!
May 9, 2024
What a fabulous book! Thank you Jessica for bringing this work of art into the world with your other amazing author moms. I learned so much about the superhero in moms that do extreme caregiving. You gave a voice to your superhero moms to be seen and heard in the snippet of their extraordinary lives they live. I was so honored to host you on my podcast! Ep 142! Kudos to a work well done!! Dinalynn Rosenbush | The Language Of Play
June 11, 2024
I'm always big on encouraging mothers to tell their story. Because 2 things happen....it's healing for you, and helpful to someone else. There's always someone who needed to hear it.
This book just confirmed that. I laughed, I cried, I admired each writer, all different and was simultaneously inspired by each one.
This is a beautiful collection of stories!
This book just confirmed that. I laughed, I cried, I admired each writer, all different and was simultaneously inspired by each one.
This is a beautiful collection of stories!
October 6, 2024
I feel like I made several new friends! I too am the mom of a now adult child with special needs. We moms are the stage crew. We work for our children’s best interests way past the point of exhaustion. I sincerely hope all of us can get the support, understanding and compassion that we need from others who may not be in our situation.
May 1, 2024
This book was amazing!! I absolutely loved it! I found myself in so many of the stories and it was incredible to hear moms who have journeyed a path similar to mine. I loved the variation that each of the contributors had to offer.
May 10, 2024
EXCELLENT, raw, transparent, soul-wrenching, hope-filled stories of parents raising kids with disabilities. I could relate to each and EVERY one of them on one level or another. This one will stay on the bookshelf and be read again and again.
September 21, 2024
A quick but powerful read. A collection of stories written by moms who are on the alternative motherhood journey. I am one of them.
We are caregivers. We are mothers. We are sometimes our own village. However we can brave the world together.
We are caregivers. We are mothers. We are sometimes our own village. However we can brave the world together.
March 25, 2025
This book was more challenging to read than I expected given it is multiple short essays from parents. It just mostly painted pictures of isolation and difficulty which—while very real, accurate and raw—wasn’t very inspiring to read. 😬
April 9, 2024
Fantastic read, so relatable when are a parent of a child with a disabilty. Was given as ARC to read
May 2, 2024
A phenomenal collection of stories! As a parent of a child with a disability these stories helped me feel seen and understood.
June 15, 2024
Heart wrenching but hopeful. Inspiring stories of resilience and love.
April 9, 2024
Was a fantastic read and very relatable as a parent of a child with disabilities
January 28, 2025
Becoming Brave Together is one of the few books I've read that left me feeling genuinely hopeful. I initially bought it because I’m a member of the We Are Brave Together group and wanted to support the cause. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d actually read it—I was worried that it might feel too heavy and just add to the weight I was already carrying. But when I finally did start reading, I was pleasantly surprised. While the stories shared incredible challenges, each one was also filled with resilience and hope. Far from being a burden, the book felt like a source of strength, reminding me that even in the hardest times, there’s room for growth and connection. I’m so glad I gave it a chance.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews