Dear Mama: Stories of an Extra Lucky Life

"Dear Mama: Stories of an Extra Lucky Life" is a collection of essays written for the extra lucky community BY the extra lucky community. Extra Lucky Moms was founded in May 2021 by Jessica Quarello and Taryn Lagonigro, who are both moms of children with disabilities. They connected because of their daughters and their friendship sparked the start of their extra lucky journey. Their organization celebrates children with Down syndrome, autism, Jordan’s Syndrome, trisomies, heart conditions, and many more, and provides a space where every parent, caregiver and therapist belongs. Dear Mama is a direct result of this community. Jess and Taryn felt there was not enough appropriate and supportive literature available to new moms experiencing overwhelming medical information, appointments and general unknowns. Moms truly just want to feel seen, heard and understood and that they too will be OK. This book hopes to help make that happen. Dear Mama includes 28 essays written by incredibly inspiring mamas who opened up their hearts in the hopes of helping someone else through their words. Our mission is to get this book in the hands of the mom who needs it so she feels hope and peace. We also believe this book is a beautiful and inspiring way for anyone to learn more about the experience of parents and children in the disability community.