The Light from a Thousand Wounds
A Mother’s Memoir of Finding Beauty in Life’s Darkest Moments
About the Book
Corey Hatfield never imagined that motherhood would lead her through such extraordinary depths of joy and suffering.
In her poignant and unflinchingly raw memoir, this mother of five navigates the overwhelming challenges of raising a violently autistic child and grappling with her oldest son’s heartbreaking substance abuse. When a devastating rollover accident leaves her son in a coma, she and her husband are thrust into a foreign world of traumatic brain injuries and their child’s slow, uncertain recovery. The cumulative weight of one harrowing event after another threatens to destabilize their marriage and everything they cherish.
Yet, amid relentless trials and grief, Corey discovers an ancient tradition of faith that inspires her to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. After years of drowning in despair, she encounters goodness, beauty, and resilience where she least expects it—obscured within the darkness. Corey gently invites her family to journey alongside her as she heals, and their gradual rebuilding proves that even the deepest wounds can give rise to abundant light and life.
The Light from a Thousand Wounds is a lifeline of solidarity for anyone who has felt broken beyond repair. It is a powerful testimony to hope, love, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure and grow through—and perhaps even because of—adversity.
Available Anywhere Books Are Sold on April 22, 2025
About the Author
COREY HATFIELD was born and raised in Colorado. She and her college sweetheart, Arin, have been married for twenty-five years and are the proud parents of five grown children, one of whom is autistic. Through many turbulent, overwhelming years of parenting, Corey encountered beauty to be the great healer of trauma and now feels passionate about sharing her journey with fellow strugglers. Rather than viewing suffering as a curse, she believes it to be a gift, capable of opening humanity to deeper levels of healing and growth. She and her husband now live on eighty peaceful acres in the Wet Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
The Light from a Thousand Wounds is Corey’s debut memoir. Readers can connect with her here.
Praise for The Light from a Thousand Wounds
“Rarely have I encountered such a stunningly poetic memoir. Corey Hatfield has managed to spin pure gold out of darkness. This is a must-read for any hurting parent looking for insight, inspiration, faith, and a best friend in the trenches.”
—Linda Sivertsen, New York Times best-selling coauthor and host of the Beautiful Writers Podcast
“Many mothers who face difficulties raising an autistic child will really relate to this book.”
—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures
“Although Corey’s memoir has excellent insight into having a child with special needs, it has much more to offer. This book shows the power of resilience, emotional integrity, and consistency—particularly in gold-plated devotion to family and making hard choices.”
—Brandon J. Roth, licensed professional counselor and co-owner of BA Counseling, Consultation, and Education
“Author Corey Hatfield’s narrative is raw and filled with emotions, taking the reader into the depths of her experiences while also offering moments of amazing inspiration. Her ability to find light amid darkness makes this memoir both heartbreaking and uplifting. . . . The Light from a Thousand Wounds is a powerful and unforgettable story of finding grace and beauty in the most unlikely places.”
—Readers’ Favorite
“Corey’s ability to share the insights of a mother’s heart is breathtaking. Her honesty will envelop you in a journey of restoration and healing.”
—Fr. Evan Armatas, author of Toolkit for Spiritual Growth and Reclaiming the Great Commission and host of the Orthodoxy Live podcast
“An emotional and powerful memoir inside the life of a young mother, with five children under the age of five, a crisis of faith, a marriage on the brink, and a child diagnosed with autism. With each page, you feel the depth of her journey—her fears, frustrations, and setbacks. She confronts these challenges with a startling strength of character. Corey Hatfield’s book is not just about coping; it’s about courage, patience, and the fierce advocacy that comes with loving a child whose needs are as complex as they are unique. “is book is a must-read for anyone touched by autism, including parents, families, and practitioners.”
—Dr. Cori Ann Stepek, PhD, owner of Rocky Mountain Neurobehavioral Health
“A mesmerizing memoir of a family’s unconditional love for one another, even while navigating extreme difficulties.”
—PW Booklife
“Corey Hatfield’s Light from a Thousand Wounds is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of finding meaning in the midst of life’s most challenging trials. This beautifully written memoir chronicles Corey’s journey through motherhood as she grapples with autism, trauma, and moments of profound struggle, all while discovering unexpected grace and beauty along the way.
What Corey has created with this memoir is nothing short of remarkable. Her raw honesty and poetic prose invite readers to walk alongside her through the highs and lows of parenting and self-discovery. Each chapter is an offering, rich with insight and brimming with compassion, that shines a light for others navigating similar struggles.
At its heart, this book is a love letter to the mothers and caregivers who feel unseen and overwhelmed, showing them that their brokenness can be a fertile ground for beauty and redemption. Corey’s reflections on her journey are deeply inspiring, and her ability to find beauty in the shattered pieces of her life will resonate with anyone who has faced adversity.
The memoir is not only a personal healing process but also a gift to the world. It will undoubtedly help countless others who are struggling to make sense of their own hardships, offering solace, understanding, and the courage to keep moving forward. Through her story, Corey demonstrates that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for growth, love, and a profound sense of purpose.
The Light from a Thousand Wounds will leave you moved, inspired, and more compassionate—not only toward others but also toward yourself. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to find meaning and beauty in the midst of life’s challenges.”
Join Our Community
Sign up to receive Corey’s blog posts, relevant news and media updates, and be notified of upcoming events.
Finding Beauty in Brokenness
Corey Hatfield's Blog
It’s a strange thing to read your own memoirs, even when you are the one who wrote them. Last Friday, I ironically finished my final round of proofreads in the very hotel we stayed when Caleb, …
Several weeks ago, a friend was sharing about a book she’d been reading and describing the gorgeous cover in great detail: the layered mountains, the deep blue sky, and a spectacular eagle soaring over the peaks. …
