by jphilo | May 21, 2010 | Different Dream, Encouragement, Spiritual Support
In a previous post, you met Amber Baker, parents of five kids, two of whom have special needs. Today, you’ll learn how she jumped out of what she calls “her family’s puddle into another family’s ocean” and found great personal healing in so doing.
Justin and Victoria Nelson’s Ocean
Through a series of fortunate blog links, Amber made her way to www.MomentswithMoriah.com where she met little Moriah Nelson and her parents, Justin and Victoria. (If you read the Different Dream blog series Moments with Moriah’s Mom and Dad, those names sound familiar to you.) When Amber began reading the Nelsons’ blog, Moriah was very sick and not expected to live. The baby girl was transferred to another hospital to have a trach tube inserted. Because of work, Justin couldn’t join Victoria and Moriah for the surgery.
Amber’s Jump
Outside of leaving a few comments at Moriah’s blog, Amber had never spoken to the Nelsons. But, she felt God prompting her to visit Victoria. “It made no sense,” Amber said. “We had no money. Grace had recently undergone heart surgery. Someone would have to care for the kids.”
But the feeling wouldn’t go away. After discussing it with her husband, Amber emailed Victoria and asked if she could come visit. Victoria called immediately. “I’d love it,” she said.
So Amber flew halfway across the country and jumped into Victoria’s ocean. Another blog friend drove four hours to meet them, and for a few days, they supported and encouraged this young mother while her baby girl had surgery. Amber says she was changed by the encounter, too. “She and Justin are so young, but their faith is amazing. Being with her was a support for me.”
Make a Splash
If you’re the parent of a child with special needs and your situation is overwhelming you, maybe you should follow Amber’s lead and jump into someone else’s ocean. It might make a small splash. Or it could make a big one. Either way, you and someone else will be changed and encouraged.
Go ahead.
Do it.
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by jphilo | Mar 10, 2010 | Advocacy, Different Dream, Special Needs Parenting
The previous post in this series introduced you to Justin and Victoria Nelson, proud parents of Moriah, age two. In this post, you’ll hear their answers to some questions about how Moriah’s medical saga has impacted them.
How Has This Changed You?
Justin: I learned to come to God and give him each day. Trust in God and constant reliance on who He is. That’s the only way to survive.
Victoria: As a mom, I used to be shy, but learned I can’t be. I have to speak up, be strong, and advocate for Moriah. I have to keep going, stand my ground, and be firm.
Justin: The situation simplified my perspective on life. I used to be ambitious for my family, but I’ve learned to be content with little things. I have my wife, my daughter, and God. I don’t need any other stuff.
Victoria: I’ve become passionate for kids with medical needs. Someday I would love to give back – support families and show appreciation to doctors and nurses.
Do You Have Advice for Parents?
Justin: Spend time with God each day. Hold onto his promises. He loves us more than we understand. Seek him even when you’re ticked off about what’s happening. Only God can help you do that.
Victoria: They should read your book, Jolene. It covers everything and says it all.
Jolene’s Disclaimer
Just so you know, I didn’t pay Victoria or bribe her in any way to say that about A Different Dream for My Child. In fact, this young couple is much more mature than my husband and I were when Allen was little. So I encourage you to visit www.momentswithmoriah.com often to see how they are doing and benefit from their wisdom and insight. Along with updates about Moriah, you’ll find links to other parents’ websites, information about support organizations, and much more.
You’ll also fall in love with Moriah and her parents. I sure did.
Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.
by jphilo | Mar 8, 2010 | Advocacy, Different Dream, Special Needs Parenting
Every now and then, God flabbergasts me with his creative ways of bringing people together. Recently, he used modern cyberspace and an old-fashioned book to connect me with to delightful young parents.
Moriah’s Mom and Dad
I first learned about Moriah’s mom and dad, Victoria and Justin Nelson, by clicking on a google alert link to www.momentswithmoriah.com. A young mom I didn’t know had posted a review of A Different Dream for My Child. Victoria said someone had donated to the San Francisco Children’s Recovery Center, so she picked it up and read it. Touched by whayt she read, she wrote a review and posted it.
Once she did, visits to DifferentDream.com and books sales increased significantly. So I went to Moriah’s website and was intrigued by her parents’ positive attitudes, even though Moriah has been hospitalized most of her short life.
Justin and Victoria Nelson
The Nelsons shared Moriah’s story during a recent phone call. Their website describes their daughter’s medical journey completely, so there’s no need to recount it here. Instead, here are a few of the struggles Justin and Victoria have experienced since they knew their daughter was on the way.
- They learned of Moriah’s heart defect when Victoria was six months pregnant. Abortion was out of the question for them.
- They became advocates for their daughter after she was born in Los Angeles on January 23, 2008. They researched the heart surgery she needed and contacting the San Francisco surgeon who saved Moriah’s life.
- Eventually, Justin took a job demotion that allowed him to transfer to San Francisco so Moriah’s medical care could continue there.
- Justin and Victoria don’t feel sorry for themselves. Since Moriah’s health has stablized and she’s become stronger in the last few months, they went through a “let down” and are now receiving counseling for post-traumatic stress.
- These parents are 26 and 25 years old, close in age to my kids. Their maturity and faith is marvelous.
In the second post in this series, the Nelsons talk about how Moriah’s life has changed them. Their insights will warm your heart and challenge your faith. Until then, you can learn more about them and see pictures of the adorable Moriah at their website.
Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.
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