Stretched - Emma Rutland

'I wondered where God was in all of this. My world was colourless and dark. The rainbow of promise I yearned for was nowhere in sight. The word 'traumatized' barely even scratched the surface of how I felt.'

As Emma Rutland's dreams of a normal, happy family life with husband Andy are overtaken by the reality of loss and disability, she searches for hope.

Stretched is a glimpse into the reality of living with children with special needs and the pain of baby loss, and is a very candid account of the unpredictable nature of a life not imagined and a faith that is tested.

Emma's story is one of fear and loss, hope and strength, reality and acceptance and, ultimately, the victory of living an unexpected life with a faithful God.

Real, raw and candid, Stretched will encourage anyone struggling with baby loss or parenting challenges.

Emma Rutland qualified as a clinical nurse in her early 20s; after practising for a short time, she decided to dedicate herself to raising a family. Emma's training has proved invaluable in motherhood as she has encountered hurdles such as epilepsy, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease and tube feeding. As well as caring for her three daughters, she currently runs a parenting group.