"A mother's candid and moving account of the challenges and joys of having a Down Syndrome child
'A searingly honest account of her journey, from heartbreak to joy' Daily Mail
When Sarah Roberts's son, Oscar, was born, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Sarah had to rapidly come to terms with a new normal, as she suddenly found her life on a different path to the one she'd always hoped and believed she'd follow.
For the Love of Oscar shares a mother's real and very raw emotions as she comes to terms with that new path, in a story which is nevertheless both heart-warming and funny. Sarah writes candidly about the ups and downs not only of parenthood, but also of parenting a child who just happens to have additional needs.
She describes, in vivid and heartbreaking terms, attitudes some have displayed towards her son and her, the often hurtful things said by some people. She describes the hospital appointments, the therapy sessions, the mountains of paperwork, the tantrums and the tears. And she reveals the choices and challenges she faced when she decided that she would like to have more children.
Sarah is the author of a multi-award-winning blog called Don't Be Sorry (www.dontbesorry.info), which aims to help others in a similar situation, but is also her very relatable take on parenting. She spends a great deal of time advocating for improved understanding of Down Syndrome."
"'A searingly honest account of her journey, from heartbreak to joy' Daily MailSarah's first book, For the Love of Oscar, tells the story of her first child Oscar's birth, his postnatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome and his adventures up to the age of four. Don't Be Sorry continues Oscar's story, from age four to nine. It covers Oscar's life in a local mainstream infant school, with all its challenges and triumphs, including friendships and how the other children respond to Oscar. Sarah describes her struggles navigating medical appointments and hospital admissions, all the while maintaining her mission gently to educate others. There are many preconceived ideas and misconceptions about what it means to have a child like Oscar in one's life. Sarah's story is one for any parent; it is not just about the highs and lows of having a child with additional needs, but also simply as a mum of three. She talks candidly about coming to terms with the decision to move Oscar to a SEN (Special Educational Needs) school, another big milestone in Oscar's young life. Whilst Sarah may have found herself on a different path to the one she'd imagined for herself, it has not been a bad one. There is sadness, certainly; and there have been struggles along the way; but there has been so much laughter and happiness, too."
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