We are Dona and Jerry, and we would like to share how God has changed our life by blessing
us with our special needs son Kyle. He is now twenty-two years old. Kyle has Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Quadriplegia, and Scoliosis. He is also tube fed. He is non-verbal and uses eye gaze to communicate. He also uses his beautiful smile.
When the doctor told us our perfect
baby boy was brain damaged and would be mentally retarded and need care for the rest of his life, it felt like someone jabbed
a knife in my heart. I was breathing, but only because I had to. If you could die from sadness I wouldn’t
be here today.
But God and love guide you through it one
day at a time. Jerry and I prayed everyday for God’s strength and direction. We had such a hard time trying
to figure out why? We wanted to blame someone or something. When we couldn’t, it left us with this tremendous
desperate, frustrated, awful feeling of despair. I guess that’s when God reaches down and puts His arms around
you even when you aren’t aware He is there. Then it’s like you snap out of it and realize it doesn’t
matter how bad the future is. What matters is this precious baby God blessed you with and he is depending on you for his very
existence. Now you know and you keep praying and thanking God every day.
We
live a different life than most. Our days and nights involve tube feeding, administering medicines, changing diapers,
breathing treatments, using a suction machine, and transfers from the wheelchair to recliner, along with many trips to specialists,
hospitals, and some really tough medical decisions. Oh, I also added shaving to my list a couple years ago.
This is our life, and we are blessed. Kyle’s smile is priceless, and the love he
shares teaches us so much. We might have taken it for granted if he we’re quote “normal”. Kyle has
touched so many people with his unconditional love and that’s all good! The challenges make us strong. We
don’t waste our life wondering what might have been. We live the best with what we have. So did God know what he was
doing? I don’t even ask that question anymore. I’m not going to lie; we get tired, worried, stressed.
It gets tough, but that’s when I feel like God looks down and says,” Okay don’t cry. You’re going
to be alright. I’m right here.” God really does hear your prayer; you just need to have faith and appreciate every
smile, every laugh and every good memory. This will give you peace of mind. Always keep the door open for God
in your heart.
