Finding Austen

by Tylia L. Flores, Katrina D. Smith (editor), David Hackett (foreword)

Plantation, Florida. The sun-drenched landscape of Austen Rice’s teenage years seems a world away from the anxieties that plague his seventeen-year-old heart. He faces the daunting prospect of high school, burdened not only by the typical teenage uncertainties but also by the unique challenges posed by his cerebral palsy. More than just physical limitations, his disability weighs heavily on his social life, creating a wall between him and the seemingly effortless social grace of his peers.

The absence of his mother casts a long shadow, a wound that refuses to heal. Yet, amidst this emotional turmoil, Austen possesses a fierce spirit, fueled by the unwavering love and support of his father. This is a story of the vibrant energy of Florida juxtaposed with the quiet internal struggles of a young man finding his place in the world. This story begins with trepidation, with the weight of expectation and the fear of the unknown. Austen enters Plantation High with a
guarded heart, bracing himself for the inevitable awkwardness and social rejection. He anticipates the stares, the whispers, the unintentional slights that come with being “different.” But then, unexpectedly, he meets Keyla. Their connection is not a fairytale; it's a gradual unfolding of acceptance, understanding, and shared laughter. It’s a testament to the transformative power of genuine friendship that transcends superficial judgments and embraces individuality. It's a slow burn romance, tender and deeply personal, built on the foundation of mutual respect and unwavering support. This is not a story about overcoming disability; it is a story about overcoming self-doubt, about finding the courage to love and be loved, and about discovering the strength that lies within, waiting to be unleashed. It is a story about embracing imperfections ,finding joy in unexpected places, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to embrace the possibility of a love that is both true and transformative. Above all, it is a story that celebrates the power of connection, the resilience of the human spirit, and the possibility of finding belonging, even in the most unexpected of places.

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2024

About the author

About Author

My name is Tylia L. Flores, and my journey has been far from ordinary. I was born with spastic cerebral palsy, and from the earliest moments of my life, I’ve been learning what it means to persevere, to rise, and to push forward with a purpose bigger than myself. For many years, my identity was rooted in disability advocacy. I fought for representation, spoke out for accessibility, encouraged others through my platforms, and used writing as a tool for empowerment.

But sometimes God interrupts our plans to lead us into His.

For years, I thought advocacy was the end of my story—my one mission, my true calling. I thought that was why I had been given a voice. But God knew something deeper, something I didn’t yet understand. And in His perfect timing, He revealed it.

A Season of Wrestling

Before my breakthrough moment with Christ, I spent years in a season of spiritual wrestling. I questioned my faith. I questioned God’s plan. I questioned my identity beyond disability, beyond advocacy, and beyond the expectations that others placed on me.

There were moments when I felt disconnected from Him, moments when I thought God had forgotten about me, and moments when I questioned why my life was filled with obstacles I didn’t understand. There were days when my heart felt heavy—heavy with doubt, heavy with confusion, heavy with a longing for something deeper but not knowing how to reach it.

But even in that season of distance, God never let go of me.

He followed me through the silence.
He waited patiently in my questioning.
He spoke softly even when I didn’t know how to listen.