Speechless: A Mother's Memoir of Caregiving

by Kathleen Knapp

Are you a parent or caregiver to a child or adult with special needs?
Do you struggle to find hope in the frustration of daily caregiving challenges?
Sometimes, feeling alone, as if no one understands the trials you face?
Wondering how to cope with the worries and fears?

Meet Benjamin - non-verbal, medically complex, cancer survivor, with autism. He loves Disney movies, music, swimming, riding in the car, and flapping toys.

When a loved one cannot utter speech sounds to communicate, they are speechless but not silent. Our role as caregivers is to give voice to the voiceless.

Meet his mom, Kathleen, who understands the challenges of caring for a child with diverse abilities who needs extra support and may have an uncertain future. She shares her joys, sorrows, and frustrations of caring for a person with a disability.

Kathleen discusses her experiences with diagnosis, hospitals, professionals, behaviours, and joys with vulnerability and humour.

Join her as she leans into her faith to find strength and hope to withstand the tumultuous journey of the special needs world. Using a butterfly analogy, she reveals how she moved from caterpillar to butterfly, discovering a hope only her faith could sustain.

This is the story of her son and her life with him. The caregiving journey. The evolution of grief. The promise of hope.

243 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2026

About the author

Kathleen shares encouragement through relatable stories of love, hope, grief, and struggles of daily living in a modern world through a Christian faith perspective.


Through her personal experience as a parent raising children with special needs, and grieving the death of her son, she shows understanding and compassion for the parent who is struggling, feeling isolated, and losing faith.


She and her husband have 3 adult children: A married daughter, one son still living at home, and one medically complex non-verbal son now dancing in heaven with Jesus.

Reviews

[Anna Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus once said, "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24, NIV). This book is an example of a mother dying to her comfort and walking through painful years with her son. Kathleen appropriately uses the analogy of a butterfly's stages of life to illustrate her journey.

Do you have a child with special needs? Reading this story will nourish your heart as you learn how God walked with Kathleen and her family.

Do you know a friend whose child struggles in ways you don't understand? This book will give you fresh insight so that you can be the friend she needs.

Kathleen's son, Benjamin, was nonverbal, but he spoke to his family in powerful ways. Let his life story speak to you as well.

This book captivated my attention as I joined Benjamin and his mom on ambulance rides, hospital stays, terrifying situations, and tender moments.

I heartily recommend Speechless! Let Benjamin's story transform your understanding of how laying down our dreams can lead to God blessing us "immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20, NIV).

[Joni Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read Kathy Knapp’s memoir “Speechless” you’ll quickly fall in love with Benjamin, a gentle, non-verbal young man on the autism spectrum.
The writing is so vivid and heartfelt that you’ll almost hear Benjamin humming in the hallways, feel the tension of each new challenge his mother faces, and find yourself weeping alongside those who weep. It’s an intimate, deeply moving journey of love, advocacy, and resilience.
This book is a wonderful companion for any parent or caregiver raising a child with special needs. It also makes a thoughtful gift for friends and family who want to better understand and support loved ones walking this path.
For those of us who long to support families caring for children with disabilities, “Speechless” offers a window into their daily realities: the uphill battles, the quiet victories, and the profound joy they discover while loving and raising their child.

[Martha Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down last evening to start reading this book & couldn’t put it down until it was done. Kathleen takes you on the journey of her family’s experience with her son Ben, through the struggles and joys of his life. I have a whole new perspective on what it would be like raising a child with autism & complex medical care needs & even more respect for Kathleen & her family than I did before reading this book. (I have known Kathleen for almost 40 years). It is written with a raw honesty that brought me to tears many times. Kathleen gives an intimate account of her grief & her faith that kept her afloat during times of enormous challenge & devastating loss. This book will help so many people experiencing similar circumstances. Through it all there is hope.

[Andrea Lende · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was riveting. Every mother should read this memoir. Motherhood is the most difficult role we'll play on this planet. But when a mom has twins, and both are diagnosed with autism, motherhood takes on a whole new meaning. The author faced this and so much more. One son had so many medical issues that their normal was anything beyond normal. The parents held onto each other and their faith and made it through. Most of us know through experience that our trials draw us closer to God. And this is the story. If you need an inspiring book, a role model to look up to, or just need an inspirational book... this is it. I highly recommend this book to every mom and dad. It'll put perspective back into your life and gratitude in your heart.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless is a deeply moving memoir that beautifully intertwines faith and motherhood.

Through Kathleen’s powerfully raw storytelling, readers will feel a profound connection to Kathy, her family, and her precious son Ben.

As you turn the pages you’ll cheer, you’ll laugh, and you’ll weep—as I did.

Walk with Kathy and experience the spectrum of emotions that defines this journey.

Speechless is a testament to resilience, love, and the unwavering hope that faith brings to every step of the journey.

Let this book comfort you. Challenge you. And remind you of the unwavering faithfulness of Jesus — even in our seasons of sorrow.

A profoundly raw, deeply moving journey—one you will never forget.

[Bernadette Bourassa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really moved by Kathy’s story. The journey that she and her husband travelled as they navigated care for their autistic and nonverbal son is raw and real yet shows the power of God’s faithfulness and strength through it all. She doesn’t sugarcoat what she went through, yet she shows us how even in the hardest circumstances there is joy to be found and hope to hold onto. If you need encouragement with profoundly difficult caregiving situations this is the book.

[Jennifer Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speechless: A Mother’s Memoir of Caregiving is a heartfelt and deeply personal story. Kathleen shares her journey with honesty and vulnerability, reflecting on the difficult emotions, lessons and even mistakes that shaped her life as she and her family cared for her son with not only autism but cancer. This is a very real story of how her faith and trust in God carried her through and helped her endure what no parent should ever have to face.

[Sharon Greiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this moving and informative book in one sitting. You will want to do the same. In Kathleen's words you will find yourself as you face whatever your struggle in life happens to be. Most are not as challenging as the one Kathy and Dan Knapp faced in the raising and care of their son Benjamin. Their faith and tenacity to never give up as they lovingly care for their non-verbal son is an inspiration to everyone.

[Lisa Lenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really touching memoir that offers hope to moms who are caregivers of children with disabilities.

[Jamella Bogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of the best books I have read in years and I cry, laugh, get excited as I read every word in this book- and you will see how the author develops and grows in her thoughts, motherhood, and family and with GOD-she doesn't fall short in doing any of that!