Author Marla J. Murasko has published her first book on Lulu.com. The book is a journal of her son Jacob’s journey from birth through the first six months of his life. It will take you on a faith-filled journey of when the couple was told that their precious baby has Down Syndrome and a heart defect requiring open-heart surgery at about six months old.
Mrs. Murasko wrote the story in a unique way. She decided since it was her son’s journey that the book would be told as if he was telling it. As a first-time mom, she was excited about his birth and wanted to document everything. She brought a journal to the hospital and started writing down the events that unwound after her son’s birth; the feelings she was experiencing, the tests that the medical personnel performed and the medical terminology that the couple was being told.
In an interview for her local newspaper, staff writer Carol Anders quoted Mrs. Murasko saying, “Although Murasko had previously worked with students at the high school level who have Down Syndrome, she said it’s different when it’s your own child. She said your world changes for you.”
As Mrs. Murasko and her husband were informed of their son’s heart defect during a four-month ultrasound visit, nothing could prepare them for the road they were going to travel caring for a child with special needs. Mrs. Murasko not only documented the medical information to be able to discuss with her sister; a nurse what was happening with Jacob, but used the journaling as an outlet to cope with all the emotions she was dealing with as a mom.
Being involved with the local Down Syndrome Support Group in her area, Mrs. Murasko decided that 10% of the proceeds of the book would be donated to the group to help fund educational and social activities for the Down Syndrome children of the community.
Mrs. Murasko also created a website to capture her son’s development, as she is extremely proud of his progress. You can view it at Jacob’s Birth Journal Website. There you have the ability to purchase the book entitled “Jacob’s Journal - My Journey Home”, through a link to Lulu.
Photo from Jacob’s Birth Journal.
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