Review: Lessons for Zachary by Sandy Scott

LESSONS FROM ZACHARY

Turning Disability into Possibility

by Sandy Scott

Sandy Scott had it all: a beautiful country home, a successful husband, and the freedom to be a stay-at-home mom. Then the news crashed down on her like a Tsunami: her infant son Zachary not only had severe brain damage but probably wouldn't live past his first birthday. As denial gave way to despair and grief, Sandy looked out over the new, strange world into which her family suddenly found themselves thrown and wondered if they would ever know happiness again.

But it was in the very challenges that Zachary's condition presented to her that she discovered her own hidden inner resources and a whole new level of compassion among other people. She eventually took on greater roles in the disability community and found her calling as a life coach.

In Lessons from Zachary, Sandy shares the knowledge and insights she gained through her own personal journey of discovery and overcoming obstacles, showing us how to use our strengths to navigate life's difficult situations to find meaning and lasting fulfillment. Scattered throughout her moving story are multiple useful tools from life coaching--Life Wheel, checklists, Miracle Question, and others--to help us develop our unknown potential.

MY TIDBITS

With open honesty, author Sandy Scott exposes the emotional and physical obstacles of raising a child with a disability, while offering insights and encouragement to others facing the same situation.

Shortly after her son's birth, Sandy Scott was forced to face the fact that her son was born with a condition, which would possibly not allow him to survive longer than his first year. This book follows her real life experiences--ups and downs--while offering tips and support to the readers.

Although there are many insights in this book which will assist families with the author's situation (or even inform others), by no means does it come across as a how-to or informational guide. The chapters flow through the author's own life, telling her tale from beginning to end. She's honest, direct and even leaves herself vulnerable as she explains the different hardships (inward and outward) that she faced since the birth of her son. Although many of these deal with her son directly, others concern her own life--things which mother's in general can run into and are forced to confront.

The writing is personal, making it easy to get lost in her story. And although some moments are tissue box worthy, there are other golden ones, which shine through like a ray of light. All the while, the author peppers in tips and helpful information that she herself collected. This doesn't only deal with the different organizations and her dealings with them, but also ways to handle some of life's biggest waves. With small lists, she demonstrates how a person can find footing and realize how to keep the truly important things in sight. There are other tips which help with inner family communication. 

Summed up, this is a lovely book for women who are raising children with disabilities, their family members or even relatives and friends. 

And here she is. . . 

Sandy Scott is a pioneer in the field of physician coaching, serving as the VP of Global Coaching and Development for Innovative

Connections. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a Board Certified and Professional Certified Coach.

Sandy has provided executive coaching in the healthcare, education, and business fields and is currently providing coaching, speaking, and leadership development training for the professionals who serve patients, clients, and students. Prior to her work as a physician coach she was the Director of The Coaching Project with the Colorado Department of Education and Director of The Advanced Leadership Program for Physicians at Banner Health. She provided more than 5,000 hours coaching leaders in healthcare and parents of children with disabilities.

She is also president of Sandy Scott LLC (www.SandyScottLLC.com) and lives on sixteen acres in the foothills of the Colorado

Rocky Mountains with her husband and two horses.