Nothing Exciting

A Dad's Memoir.A Practical Guide.A Pursuit of Joy.

Our 30-year journey with traumatic brain injury and severe autism across three countries.

If our story can inspire other special needs families to achieve a better outcome, that would be brilliant.
If our story can also inspire some of their friends to better support them, that would be success.

— Emil Brune

Nothing Exciting?
Readers disagree.

  • Timmy's story is an inspiration. What makes Nothing Exciting so compelling is its balance. Emil doesn't shy away from the raw anguish, frustration, and unexpected obstacles that his family faced.

    Yet woven throughout these difficult moments is humour, practical wisdom, and optimism. The result is an authentic, relatable, and deeply human story.

    This is a powerful book about finding joy in unexpected places and choosing gratitude even when life does not go according to plan. Most of all, it is about the profound choice to see the good amidst the struggle.

    Aletta Rochat

  • I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Nothing Exciting. Emil has woven Timmy's story, with humor and passion, into an easy to read narrative, but hasn't held back on the difficulties the family has had to overcome. 

    I thought I had an inkling into the effort of raising Timmy and the effects on the family, but this book has stripped away the comfort and starkly revealed the true cost.

    The layout and thought behind the themes in each chapter make it an accessible and easy to use guide to some of the frustrations that families will face as they navigate the realities of bringing up a special needs child.

    Bruce van der Meulen

Front cover graphic from Nothing Exciting

Our Story

Nothing Exciting.
Still Truly Epic.

In 1997, a drunk driver slammed into Emil and Fran’s car, leaving their nine-week-old son Timmy with a traumatic brain injury that led to severe autism, visual impairment, left hemiplegia, and the need for 24-hour care. Fran overcame her own severe injuries to fuel Timmy’s joyful progress.

From the chaos of the ICU, they launched into an unforeseen three-decade odyssey of special-needs parenting across three countries. Raising Timmy alongside their younger children Emma and Luke, they faced medical crises, exhaustion, ignorance, and plenty of idiots along the way — yet discovered hope, community, love, laughter, and unexpected joy.

This is our story. Raw, real and often ridiculous. And full of hope.

Listen in

Hear the story in Emil’s own words.

Get a feel for the voice, humour and heart behind Nothing Exciting with a selection of short audio samples from the book. Press play, settle in, and hear why this journey is anything but ordinary.

Nothing Exciting book cover 3D

Nothing Exciting

Nothing Exciting is an unflinching dad’s memoir and practical guide. With his signature heartfelt voice and humour, Emil shares raw, vivid stories of resilience, family fun, and laugh-out-loud moments that prove even the toughest days can hold unexpected comedy — while delivering hard-won “top tips” in every chapter.

Organised around ten essential themes - Community, Adaptation, Resilience, Joy, Self-Care and more - the book weaves moving anecdotes and cultural insight with immediately usable advice.

Whether you’re raising a child with special needs or supporting someone who is, this book delivers the wisdom, tools, and hope you need — with heart, humour, and the realisation that nothing exciting can still be truly epic.

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Emil Brune

About the Author

Emil Brune

Emil Brune is a market research consultant and a veteran special needs Dad. He holds degrees in African Politics and Business Administration from the University of Cape Town as well as a Sloan Master’s degree from London Business School. He lives in England with his wife and family.

Got a question, story or thought to share?

Whether you’re a special needs parent, family member, therapist, teacher, medical professional or simply someone who has connected with Nothing Exciting, Emil would be glad to hear from you. Send a message below and share what’s on your mind.