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A Life Beyond Words: A family's journey through hardship and loss to the joy of unspoken possibilities
Finding light in the darkness. Courage in the face of adversity. Hope in the practice of surrender.
When Susan Baker’s infant son died in her arms, and her firstborn child was diagnosed with severe autism a mere twelve months later, her entire experience of motherhood changed. Given little hope for their son’s future, Susan and her husband began their emotional journey of navigating an unfamiliar, often turbulent path. In this poignant memoir, Susan shares how believing in the possibility of more for their child led to a life-changing discovery that unlocked their son’s innermost thoughts and insights. What followed was not only extraordinary but also a testimony to the power of perseverance and love within a growing family, and a stunning example of the light that can come after dark.
Susan delivers an honest and unflinching account of personal transformation while raising a nonspeaking autistic child within complex family dynamics and societal limitations. A Life Beyond Words will inspire hope and compassion far beyond the world of autism.
Susan Baker is a passionate speaker, writer, and advocate. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband, Stuart, and their children, Andrew and Abby.
When Susan Baker’s infant son died in her arms, and her firstborn child was diagnosed with severe autism a mere twelve months later, her entire experience of motherhood changed. Given little hope for their son’s future, Susan and her husband began their emotional journey of navigating an unfamiliar, often turbulent path. In this poignant memoir, Susan shares how believing in the possibility of more for their child led to a life-changing discovery that unlocked their son’s innermost thoughts and insights. What followed was not only extraordinary but also a testimony to the power of perseverance and love within a growing family, and a stunning example of the light that can come after dark.
Susan delivers an honest and unflinching account of personal transformation while raising a nonspeaking autistic child within complex family dynamics and societal limitations. A Life Beyond Words will inspire hope and compassion far beyond the world of autism.
Susan Baker is a passionate speaker, writer, and advocate. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband, Stuart, and their children, Andrew and Abby.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2024
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 7, 2024
I know so many bookworms say they don’t read memoirs. And don’t really know why, but just not the genre they gravitate to when they have time to read. I guess I used to be the same years ago, but in the last 10 yrs, I find them to be comfort reads. And not because they’re ever “easy” reads but because they are empathy building.
In a generation that ‘snapshots’ everyone’s perfect lives, memoirs remind us that life beyond this idea of “perfection” are people who struggle, cry and overcome life’s ’imperfect’ world.
𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙩: 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨.
Memoirs peel back the perfection and give the human side. They help heal by connection; and find compassion where there was assumptions.
My latest memoir I read is one that won’t leave me any time soon. It’s Susan Baker’s story.
It’s resilience,
it’s fierce mama love,
It’s gratitude and
it’s family.
@lifewithsusan grew up in the same home town as I did. Mutual friends, same church and a sister the same age…our paths have weaved in & out over the years….
bottom line, we can know someone without really knowing them.
Susan: by writing this book, you’ve found a way to share not only your grief but your pride. You’ve opened up the world to a side of autism that finds beauty in the raw moments & a voice to the voiceless.
In a generation that ‘snapshots’ everyone’s perfect lives, memoirs remind us that life beyond this idea of “perfection” are people who struggle, cry and overcome life’s ’imperfect’ world.
𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙩: 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨.
Memoirs peel back the perfection and give the human side. They help heal by connection; and find compassion where there was assumptions.
My latest memoir I read is one that won’t leave me any time soon. It’s Susan Baker’s story.
It’s resilience,
it’s fierce mama love,
It’s gratitude and
it’s family.
@lifewithsusan grew up in the same home town as I did. Mutual friends, same church and a sister the same age…our paths have weaved in & out over the years….
bottom line, we can know someone without really knowing them.
Susan: by writing this book, you’ve found a way to share not only your grief but your pride. You’ve opened up the world to a side of autism that finds beauty in the raw moments & a voice to the voiceless.
June 19, 2024
I just could not put this book down. At its core, this memoir is about a mother raising a non-verbal son with autism, but it is about so much more. It delves into themes of perseverance, love, motherhood, connection, and personal growth. This is a story for everyone. I've found myself crying, laughing, and deeply relating, despite our different journeys. Just beautiful from cover to cover.
July 4, 2024
So good! I couldn’t put it down!
July 11, 2024
Fantastic,informative, raw and beautiful book. Thank you Susan!
August 7, 2025
Inspiring and a great reminder to be patient, slow down, and appreciate all that makes us who we are.
July 23, 2024
I really felt connected to Susan's story, and to Andrew's.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews