One Day at a Time: Jordan Ablett opens up on Levi’s rare disability in touching new memoir
In a touching new memoir, Jordan Ablett has shared details of how she and husband Gary raise their son Levi — who has a rare disability — and their journey to hope and joy in the wake of his shock diagnosis.
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Jordan Ablett will share her experiences raising a child with additional needs in an inspiring new memoir.
Ablett and husband, Geelong great Gary Ablett Jr, have often shared insights into their five year-old son Levi who suffers from a rare degenerative illness with a shorter life expectancy.
In her new book called One Day at a Time, Jordan lifts the lid on the shock diagnosis and how they’ve dealt with raising a child with a disability.
“I’m writing this book because I have finally, after many years of processing, arrived at a place where I feel like I can talk openly about my experiences and share the lessons I have learned along the way,’’ Ablett said.
“I’d love nothing more than for people to read my story and feel encouraged and hopeful about the journeys they’re on.”
She added that she had been working behind the scenes for the past year on the memoir.
“I can’t begin to explain how special this feels for me, and for my family, who have journeyed all of life’s highs and lows with me, feeling every single bump and joy along the way.
“There have been plenty of tears cried while writing this book, both happy and sad tears, but being able to share my story, and hopefully encourage others, has made all ‘the feels’ worth it.
“I hope that by reading my story, parents of children with a disability will feel less alone, more capable, and will, if they don’t already, look at their child through a different lens, seeing them as what they are, a genuine treasure!”
She also paid tribute to husband Gary and their precious son Levi.
“And to Gaz and our families, for the many hours of stepping in and helping with our three precious children, allowing me to lock myself away, and write it all out. Last, but certainly not least, to our boy Levi, who brings us so much joy, and to my dearly missed and adored mum... I love you. It’s about finding joy in what you have, even as you mourn what you have lost, and never taking life for granted.”
Along with their eldest, Levi, Jordan and Gary also have a daughter, Grace, and a young son, Ezra.
Publisher HarperCollins Australia describes the memoir as “raw and honest”.
“This is a story of devastating grief and pain, but it is also the story of how, with the love and
unwavering support of her family, and with her faith as her anchor, Jordan and her AFL legend husband found the courage to go on and learned to celebrate every day with Levi as a blessing.
“It’s about finding joy in what you have, even as you mourn what you have lost, and never taking life for granted.”
Jordan also touches on receiving the diagnosis “after months of concern and worry” and how she navigated an unexpected path while helping to care for her beloved mother as she lived through the final stages of cancer.
Jordan is an ambassador for the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal, she also supports the My Room children’s cancer charity, and is the founder of House of Hope, an online community for parents raising children with disabilities.
HarperCollins Australia’s head of nonfiction, Helen Littleton, said Jordan was brave to share her story.
“When I first spoke to Jordan about sharing her story, I was struck by her clear purpose,’’ Littleton said.
“It wasn’t to be a sad book; it wasn’t about being pitied. It was an opportunity to get people’s attention, to reassure them that there is hope and there is joy on the other side of the hard stuff that all of us, at some point in our lives, will be touched by.”
One Day at a Time: A treasured son. A rare condition. A memoir of finding joy.
By Jordan Ablett with Ellen Whinnett, will be published by HarperCollins Australia on April 2, 2025.
Originally published as One Day at a Time: Jordan Ablett opens up on Levi’s rare disability in touching new memoir
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