Fragile - Tapa dura

'What's the worst that could happen? Seriously. Where do your darkest fears lie? The one that knots your gut; that you push from your mind with a prayer and a shudder. Probably your loved ones feature; your partner, parents, friends. Or, more likely, your children...' This is the story of an ordinary woman plunged into chaos. After years of abuse and addiction, single mother Niki Shisler had finally found herself with a wonderful new marriage and a perfect baby. When Niki unexpectedly became pregnant with twins life began to spiral out of control with a series of dramatic events. The twins were born mysteriously ill, hanging onto life and, as family life refocused around these two tiny beings in Great Ormond Street Hospital, Niki learnt that there was always light to be found, even on the darkest days. This is a uniquely moving and compelling book. It will grab hold of you, wring your heart and leave you inspired.

Niki Shisler describes herself as a child of the flower children. Born in the early 60s to a single, hippie mother, she grew up with just her mother, moving with her to swinging London where the rule book on everything from work to love to parenting was being rewritten in a flurry of optimism. She met her husband, Danny, who is from an orthodox Jewish background, at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. She has three children, Joey (from her first marriage), Evie, and Felix, now aged 5, who is severely disabled. His brother Theo died soon after birth. She writes articles and her website www.nikishisler.com provides contacts and links for parents of special needs children.