An Uncomplicated Life: A Father's Memoir Of His Exceptional Daughter by Paul Daugherty

An Uncomplicated Life: A Father's Memoir Of His Exceptional Daughter by Paul Daugherty

A father's exhilarating and funny love letter to his daughter with Down syndrome whose vibrant and infectious approach to life has something to teach all of us about how we can better live our own. 

Jillian Daugherty was born with Down syndrome. The day they brought her home from the hospital, her parents, Paul and Kerry, were flooded with worry and uncertainty, but also overwhelming love, which they channeled to "the job of building the better Jillian." While their daughter had special needs, they refused to allow her to grow up needy--"Expect, Don't Accept" became their mantra. Little did they know how ready Jillian was to meet their challenge.

Paul tells stories from Jillian's mischievous childhood and moves to her early adulthood, tracing her journey to find happiness and purpose in her adult life, sharing endearing anecdotes as well as stories about her inspiring triumphs. Having graduated from high school and college, Jillian now works to support herself, and has met the love of her life and her husband-to-be, Ryan.

In An Uncomplicated Life, the parent learns as much about life from the child as the child does from the parent. Through her unmitigated love for others, her sparkling charisma, and her boundless capacity for joy, Jillian has inspired those around her to live better and more fully. The day Jillian was born, Paul says, was the last bad day. As he lovingly writes, "Jillian is a soul map of our best intentions"--a model of grace, boundless joy, and love for all of us.

Since 1994, Paul Daugherty has written a sports column for the Cincinnati Enquirer. He has covered almost every major sporting event in the United States, as well as five Summer Olympic Games. He is the coauthor of books with Chad Johnson and Johnny Bench, and the author of Fair Game, a collection of his sports essays. He writes a daily blog for Cincinnati.com called The Morning Line. He and his wife, Kerry, live in Loveland, Ohio.