Born Lucky

A Dedicated Father, a Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism

De: Leland Vittert, Don Yaeger - contributor

Narrado por: Leland Vittert, James Conlan

In a world quick to label, judge, and box in people, one father and son stood firm and refused to be defined by an autism diagnosis.

If you’re channel surfing and happen upon Leland Vittert during his nightly national cable show on NewsNation, he comes off as a poised journalist prying nuggets from guests. If you watched him for years as an anchor at Fox News Channel, you saw him on the battlefields of the Middle East, the anchor desk, and the White House North Lawn. No one, including friends and co-workers, has ever known his full life story and how miraculous it was to get to that point.

Leland was a socially awkward boy who didn’t speak for years, and when he finally did, teachers and leaders declared him “weird.” His unique behavior and inability to connect with his peers made him a frequent target for bullying and exclusion. In one particularly harsh moment, a school principal bluntly told his parents, “The people here think Leland is pretty weird. I guess I do, too.” Those words felt like being shot with an arrow, as his parents sat in stunned silence, grappling with their own fears and uncertainties for their son’s future.

From a young age, Leland showed signs of being Autistic, a term rarely used at the time, struggling with social cues, communication, and behavioral norms that came naturally to other kids. The diagnosis didn't deter his father, Mark. He knew the world wouldn't change for Leland, so he quit his job and began changing Leland for the world. He became a full-time parent-coach, training Leland and teaching him the skills he needed to navigate in society. Simple concepts like eye contact, understanding humor, and instilling motivations had to be taught painstakingly. From hundreds of pushups at age 7 to toughen him against bullies, to coaching him through complex social interactions, Mark’s relentless dedication changed the trajectory of Leland’s life.

Born Lucky offers an intimate look into their inspiring journey. Leland lays bare his experiences of the crushing bullying during middle and high school, the sting of rejection continuing into college, and his ultimate transformation into an esteemed journalist. But above all, this book is a love letter from a grateful son, who despite his diagnosis, trusted his father and defied all odds.

It offers hope to every parent and every child who is grappling with their own unique challenges, to be inspired to break labels, tear down the walls that society builds, and create a better future.

©2025 Leland Vittert (P)2025 Harper Horizon

Great story

Important look into his experience with autism and family. Love the personal responsibility and adaptability into the world not expecting the world to adapt to him.

A great and hopeful read for parents of special needs children

The first few chapters of this book had me crying as I was driving my special needs child to some of their various therapy appointments. I loved that the author, Lucky, narrates the story because you can hear how his tongue placement affects his speech (a common issue with people of the spectrum) and it brings so much weight to the story. My spouse recently found out he has autism through the diagnosis process of our son years ago and he can relate to so much of what the author went through as well. It was extremely compelling to hear the same echoing experience of being singled out for "odd behavior" as a child and then suddenly being praised and bragged on as an adult. I think this is a great inspirational book on what outcomes are possible for special needs children since I describe my personal as "walking in the dark".

If you've read John Elder Robinson books then this is a great book to read because there is a clear time line of how people of the spectrum were viewed/treated in the 60s, this book in the 80's and 90's, up until now. The author describes how his dad unintentionally practiced forms of ABA therapy with him and the author unknowingly describes OT practices that he found soothing as well. If you know basic therapeutic practices for children on the spectrum then you will certainly appreciate the real life experiences the author discusses in this book. My only main critique of this book has to do with the author's own perception of autism and how one cannot "over come" it but rather, through various therapies and intentional practices, can participate in society and can be accepted much more easily. I loved this book and would recommend it. I wish I could sit down and talk to the author myself.