The Unbreakable Boy

Book excerpt: The Unbreakable Boy is the raucously tender story of the life of a teenage boy with a rare brittle-bone disease who joyfully embraces life's tragedies and triumphs--and the inspiring story of how his father was transformed through their journey together. Like any other teenage boy, Austin loves pizza, movies, dancing, and girls. But unlike most other eighteen-year-olds, he has a rare brittle-bone disease, was locked in a mental ward as a child, and is autistic. Yet Austin doesn't let any of that stop him. His is a world where suffering a broken back is a minor inconvenience and the quest for the ultimate strawberry shake just might be the best day of his life. Austin's journey dares readers to believe that miracles are possible; hope does spring eternal; and we can find joyous moments to celebrate every day. Written with remarkable candor by Austin's father, Scott, and New York Times best-selling author Susy Flory, The Unbreakable Boy weaves the beautiful and often humorous tale of how Austin teaches his father--and everyone else he encounters--to have faith in God and trust that one day life's messes will all make sense.