Breathless

By: Eric Chason

Narrated by: George Newbern, Eric Chason

Lillian was a college freshman, a promising theater major facing the challenge of Stargardt’s disease, a condition that was causing her to go blind. When, in the fall of 2009, Lillian became sick, she assured her parents it was just the flu. Four days later she was in the university hospital, relying on a machine to breathe for her.

Based on her father’s journal, this memoir describes what it’s like to live through a parent’s worst nightmare, conveying the heart-wrenching ups and downs of Lillian’s time in the hospital. At the same time, it recounts the life of a remarkable young woman who, despite the gradual loss of her sight, was determined to finish high school, attend college far from home, and embark on an independent life.

This, her parents told each other, was the hardest struggle their daughter would ever face. Yet, as Lillian lay tethered to life-support, each day a parry against time, her father realized that every challenge his daughter ever faced was only a backdrop for these few, excruciating days in which she fought for her life.

ERIC CHASON is a professor of engineering at Brown University. All his other publications (more than 150 of them) are in technical journals that are rarely seen outside of libraries. This memoir is the first personal piece of writing he has published. He was compelled to write it, to tell the story of his daughter Lillian. It has no equations.

©2019 Eric Chason (P)2024 Eric Chason

A father's pain

As the father of 4 girls I can't fathom the agony the author endured. His telling of their story was plain and direct and touching. I've never listened to an audio book in its entirety. It's just never been my thing. This was a doozy for my first. The narration was very good and helped to pull the emotion from the written word. Have some Kleenex handy.

Remarkable memoir

If you’re anything like me - a good narrator is key and this one is excellent. The story is heart-wrenching and inspiring all at once. It is both a front row seat to a families unimaginable tragedy; and a beautiful way to share the story of a life well lived.

Moving and heartfelt

This heartfelt story is one that should be read by all, especially parents. It was beautifully written and reminds us all that life is short.