UNEXPECTED LESSONS From Professor Higgins

PATTI SMITH is a life coach and retired attorney living in Southern Utah. Her memoir shares life lessons through inspiring stories about her son Christopher, who was born with Down syndrome. Patti is a self-admitted recovering perfectionist and overachiever who has dedicated her life to learning and personal transformation. When not writing, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her six exceptional children. Although advised by her doctor to place her son in an institution because of his Down syndrome diagnosis, the author looked into her new baby's beautiful eyes and knew she never could. She thought she would dedicate her life to teaching her child, but was delighted to discover how he would teach and change her. More than a memoir, this book is a primer about the transformative power of acceptance, empathy and unconditional love. Through heartwarming, funny and inspirational true stories, the author shares insights gained as she learned to look at life through her son's perspective. These stories illustrate how joy and valuable opportunities can emerge when letting go of fear and leaning into the unknown. Using principles of personal improvement and transformation, the author draws universal and eye-opening life lessons from unexpected and profound experiences with her son, Christopher Higgins, whom she respectfully refers to as Professor Higgins, her master teacher.