Great and Unfortunate Things

By: Jason Arday

Narrated by: Jason Arday

Great and Unfortunate Things is Jason Arday’s memoir of overcoming remarkable challenges and responding to adversity with resilience, published days before his untimely death on August 14, 2026.

Jason Arday grew up in a lively corner of South London as the second youngest of three boys. He was diagnosed with autism and developmental delays at age three, and experts told his parents he would never speak, write, or live independently—and should be institutionalized.

His parents refused. Instead, his extraordinary mother, Giff, drawing on her faith and thinking outside the box, embraced his neurodivergence and devoted herself to helping him realize a potential few others believed possible—using everything from the proverbs of her West African culture to music, sports, and film to help him make sense of the world.

In Great and Unfortunate Things, we see how Arday went from being nonverbal as a child and illiterate until he was eighteen to scaling unimag-inable heights as an adult. Without romanticizing the struggle, this is a story of determination against seemingly insurmountable odds—and of a family and a small group of believers whose compassion helped him see what is possible.

A powerful story for our moment, Arday’s journey is a testament to resilience, dignity, and the life-changing force of community in action.

I really enjoyed this book. I wish he hadn’t died. He had so much to offer

I loved everything about this book. I felt like I was there the way he described people and places. I especially love the part where they go to the shelter before they open presents. I waited all year for presents! I would have a fit if I had to feed homeless people before I saw what Santa brought me. His mother raised him right and it shows all through the book.

Loved the story

The story is beautifully written and told. Very inspiring to say the least. Very sad to hear he passed at a very young age.

a beautiful life and a beautiful human being

This was a very profound story that resonated deeply with me as an autistic Black woman in academia. I highly recommend it.

Great, honest & inspiring read.

I truly appreciate the honesty, vulnerability and openness of this book. I enjoyed hearing the details of his journey with neurodivergence and the motivation/inspiration he provides for all! I’m glad he was able to fulfill his final purpose by releasing this to the world before his final tragedy. Thank you dearly.

What an incredible life Dr Arday lived!

Everyone should read this memoir… It offers such profound insight into neurodiversity and the power of a praying mama who refuses to accept “No” or “Never”.