Tripping with Nathan

This heartfelt book covers the relationship of Robin and Valerie with Nathan through its ups and downs, triumphs and set-backs, from Nathan’s birth to his death…

He was home when he passed. It was quick. It was peaceful.

We are grateful for all those things.

We are grateful for the time we had with him.

We are grateful for all that he gave us, for everything he taught us.

We will miss him forever.

There are lessons to be learned for those families with disabled children, but perhaps even more so for people who have not directly experienced life with a disabled person.

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Tripping with Nathan is one of the most important books I have ever read. It’s a big call but let me explain.

Nathan Runyan-Tait is a young man with severe cerebral palsy. He has a brain injury which results in very limited control of his limbs. He is unable to walk, he gets around in a wheelchair and he is dependent for all his needs on his parents and a small group of carers. Despite all of this, he is a cheerful young man, who enjoys life with his remarkable parents, Robin and Valerie. I have spent most of my professional life looking after children with cerebral palsy of all ages, all stages and all levels of severity. I thought I knew a thing or two about my job but I learnt more by reading Tripping with Nathan than I ever did from reading my textbooks or from my teachers. Hence the big call.

Tripping with Nathan is a heartwarming, challenging, bitter-sweet account of the challenges and rewards of being a parent and caring for a child with severe cerebral palsy. This is an epic story in four parts. It is told intelligently, with gritty realism and with humour. I laughed out loud and I shed a tear (or two).

It’s not for the faint hearted but will reward the reader! Go tripping with Nathan, Valerie and Robin!”

– H. Kerr Graham MD, FRCS (ED), FRACS

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

A candid story of a father’s journey to accepting his son’s disabilities and how a wonderful life, powered by love slowly unfolded. Tripping with Nathan reconnects us with our humanity.  It’s a heartfelt antidote to the challenging times we find ourselves in.

– Danielle Loizou-Lake, founder of Paper Planes Support Coordination, and a member of the West Australian Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability

Told with great honesty and humour, Tripping with Nathan tells a story of hope and triumph and, through unerring determination, of life lived to its fullest through the power of family to overcome all odds.

Nate, Val and Rob have taught me many lessons in my life and their values are the foundation of this book. This includes the importance of never giving up, fighting injustice, endless positivity, adaptability, commitment, and love. It has been one of life’s great honours to share some of this family’s journey in what has been a formative relationship for shaping the way I interact with family, friends, and the broader community.

Tripping with Nathan is essential reading for anyone facing challenges or in need of inspiration, guidance, and comfort. This book contains powerful lessons about compassion and humanity for all readers regardless of life stage or circumstance. A reminder to live every moment, our time is but too short.

Essential reading for humans everywhere.

– Steven Allender PhD, Professor of Population Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University