Like most expectant mothers, 39 years ago, Debbie Jorde was expecting her first perfect baby. She already had what she perceived to be the perfect marriage, as well as what she thought was the perfect life. Then came the delivery date and her perfect baby wasn't so physically perfect, in fact, she was severely disabled and deformed. She wasn't even expected to live and the doctors had few answers.

After her second child was born, with the same disabilities, came the dissolution of what Debbie thought was a perfect marriage. She was destined to become a single mother dependent on public aid to help care for her children. The illusion of her perceived perfect life was reduced to that of a divorced, single mom raising children with lung disease, autism, and a rare disabling disorder called Miller Syndrome that affects only 30 other people worldwide.

Debbie found herself forced into an odyssey of self-examination through issues such as divorce, single motherhood, eating disorders, addiction, self-worth, and the definition of beauty. The challenges faced in the process led Debbie to redefine her definition of happiness, success, and perfection. The lessons learned and insights gained transformed her life into one that, while it won't ever be perfect, is full of acceptance, courage, and joy.

Eight Fingers and Eight Toes: Accepting Life's Challenges is a story of the power of a mother's love for her children and her journey of self-love. It is a story of struggles and learning to accept and overcome challenges. One takes a front row seat as the author learns answers to questions asked decades ago that result in part from the family being the first ever to have their entire genome sequenced.

The book is a reminder that in spite of the trials that cause us to think life isn't so perfect, with a little courage and a lot of love, all can learn to accept and overcome challenges, resulting in a more fulfilling life of happiness and joy.