About the Author

Courtney Westlake lives in central Illinois with her husband, Evan, and two children, Connor and Brenna. When Brenna was born in 2011 with a rare and severe skin disorder called harlequin ichthyosis, Courtney began a blog to chronicle their family life and experiences raising a child with physical differences and special needs. Her writing has also been featured on other sites such as Yahoo Parenting, The Huffington Post, (in)courage, and Good Housekeeping. Besides writing, Courtney enjoys photography, traveling, and a good bag of Doritos.

Reviews

Addressing the current trend of self-esteem programsfocused on personal awareness, she encourages readers to find their God-given worth in outward expressions of serving others. Particularly perceptive is her advice on approaching others with visible disabilities and teaching children how to treat the differently abled. An inspiring book for all, recommend to parents struggling with unexpected birth anomalies and those who support them.--Elizabeth Wisz "Christian Market" (8/1/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"A Different Beautiful is a precious jewel that will touch your heart and inspire your soul. This book teaches us an invaluable life lesson: our wrapping is not as meaningful as the gift we have inside. This message could change your life forever!"
--Roger Crawford, Author of Think Again! and Playing from the Heart, Member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame, and Hall of Fame Division 1 Athlete (the only athlete with four impaired limbs to compete in a NCAA Division One college sport) "This is a story for all of us, because we all deal with the unexpected in this life. Thank you, Courtney, for leading the way and for showing us how to walk through the challenges of life so beautifully."
--Jill Savage, CEO of Hearts at Home and Author of No More Perfect Moms "To struggle through pain and confusion is difficult. To watch your child struggle through pain and confusion. . .that will change a person. In her book A Different Beautiful, Courtney Westlake gives us a glimpse into the life of a family grappling with their daughter's unexpected and, at times, scary diagnosis. Courtney shares her story with an eloquence and wisdom that moved me. . .I couldn't stop at the end of each chapter. As she comes face-to-face with God's beautiful design in her precious daughter, Courtney invites us into her healing so that we can be restored along with her."
--Sarah Kovac, Author of In Capable Arms: Living a Life Embraced by Grace "Poignantly told without any hint of self-pity, Courtney's story gripped me from the very first page and didn't let go. She beautifully shares the beauty of imperfection in a way that makes us want to want to root for her, and for sweet Brenna. . .and also for ourselves. Deeply moving and encouraging, it is a message our hearts all need to hear."
--Ruth Soukup, New York Times Bestselling Author of Living Well, Spending Less and Unstuffed

"A Different Beautiful is a touching and tenderly told story that will inspire you to see and experience beauty through the eyes of God. Brenna's precious life and brave journey will enlarge your eyes and enliven your heart to discover beauty in your own unexpected places."
--Jeannie Cunnion, Author of Parenting the Wholehearted Child

"I was touched and inspired by reading this story of how one family is turning what some would see as 'difficult' into something so positive and beautiful. No matter where you're at in life, this book will encourage you to look for the beauty in every situation."
-Crystal Paine, Founder of MoneySavingMom.com and New York Times bestselling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode

"In A Different Beautiful, Courtney captivated me with her ability to define beauty in a countercultural way. Through Brenna's story, you get to peek inside this family's great journey of transformation, courage, and hope. Courtney has a gift for sharing real struggle, always entangled with hope and a higher perspective. It's a must-read for all families looking to see the beauty from the eye of the Creator."
--Courtney DeFeo, Author of In This House, We Will Giggle

"In a world determined to ease or eliminate all evidence of 'different, ' Courtney Westlake speaks a powerful word. It's not our sameness that makes us beautiful, but our differences. Rather than resenting the unexpected and reeling from the resulting disappointment, you and I can learn to find beauty in the most unexpected--and incredible--places. The reward? A truly beautiful life."
--Michele Cushatt, Author, Undone: A Story of Making Peace with an Unexpected Life

"The most dazzling beauty in this world is not found on magazine covers, TV commercials, or fashion runways as promised by our media. Uplifting and faith-filled, Courtney Westlake's A Different Beautiful reaffirms, in a society that prioritizes perfection, just how wonderful different can be."
--LeAnn Thieman, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, author Chicken Soup for the Soul: a Book of Miracles and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayers

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