Live Like Sean: Important Life Lessons from My Special-Needs Son

When my son Sean was born with special needs, his mother and I were told he would never be "normal" and we mourned for the life we had imagined for him. We thought we would have to be his teacher and protector, more so than the typical child. However, we quickly learned that lessons can come from the most unlikely places and that our world would be changed for the better in ways we could have never envisioned. . . all because of Sean.

Before he died on Father's Day 2019, Sean taught me valuable life lessons that only became more pronounced upon his passing. He taught me how to build strong, authentic relationships. He taught me how to live in the moment. He taught me how to feel gratitude. Mostly, he taught me how to live like Sean, and these lessons are his legacy.

An entrepreneur, advocate, and published author, TJ Nelligan is a man of action who has made it his life's mission to serve and benefit others.

Taking nearly three decades worth of expertise as a leading sports marketing executive at Nelligan Sports Marketing and Host Communications, Nelligan significantly raised the status of the Special Olympics domestically when he took on one of his most rewarding roles, Chairman and CEO of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. Nelligan's involvement with Special Olympics New Jersey began in 1995, including serving as a Board Member for 16 years (1995-2011), Chairman from 2001 to 2003, and Chairman of the 2014 USA Games Board from 2011 to 2015.

Inspired by the sudden and tragic passing of his son, Sean, on Father's Day 2019, Nelligan wrote this book as a way to remember what an amazing person he was, and it gave him an opportunity to memorialize all of their experiences together. Live Like Sean allows the reader to witness the world through the eyes of a special-needs person and shows them that life lessons can come from the most unlikely places.