
The Unexpected Journey
There are moments in life that don’t go exactly according to plan, and this was one of them.
This is my story, and the experiences of my family and the birth of our son Darcy.
This tiny baby introduced us into a world we never expected or knew existed. A world which can be heart-breaking but is full of amazing people who teach us valuable lessons every day without any judgement toward others. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard; everyone’s stories are different.
Rather than concentrating on the negatives, we made a conscious decision to focus on the beauty of every experience. Darcy is a son and a brother, and we want the best for him, so we try our hardest to ensure he can shine to his fullest potential. I hope some of our experiences can help people to embrace the beauty of disability and difference in people.
I hope it helps people to look at everyone individually and not at what they can or cannot do. People face challenges in life every day; not just people with disabilities. Some hard and some not so hard.
It is important to be kind. Darcy may have a disability, but it doesn’t define him. He has the same feelings, wants and needs as everyone else.
Every child is different; every person is different. Never give up! Every child is a blessing, and we should do whatever we can for them.
They deserve it.
It’s not our disabilities, it’s our abilities that count.
What Readers are Saying
★★★★★
“Loved the book and read it in one sitting! That same day, had a good teaching moment with my 16 year old who mentioned that in the musical rehearsal that day, there was a girl with Down Syndrome and although she was super cute, she sang super loud and off tune, which caused my daughter to sing off tune. I asked my daughter what was more important, to be inclusive and see the girl smiling and happy or a slight discomfort and being off tune while singing? Point was very well taken!”
★★★★★
“Wow I have had this book for a few months and just decided to sit down and read it. What a wonderful story of a dedicated family with a loving community around them.
Thanks for sharing your story Julie and Darcy.”
EXPLORE julie’s other books
More Stories That Reframe Disability and Inclusion

The Magic of Inclusion
Award-winning practical guide to building inclusion that moves beyond compliance into connection.

The Adolescent Journey
A compassionate and honest look at disability, identity, and belonging through teenage years, offering insight, reassurance, and real-life perspective.
ⓒ 2026 Julie Fisher. All Rights Reserved.

