Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Stories
by Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Below is an excerpt from a note I received from my friend Annette Monts Falls. She gave me permission to share it with you.
On Sunday, May 19, 1985, in Boulder, Colorado, God orchestrated events to save my own life through the cessation of fetal movement of my third son named Clayton Alexander Falls. This was the shattering end of my third birth experience in a four year time frame, beginning with the unexpected loss of my firstborn, Taylor Monts Falls, on May 21, 1981, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was the eve of our highly anticipated move into our first real home. Taylor lived a short number of hours after birth but forever left a single printed footprint before blossoming wings on May 22. Brandon Montgomery Falls followed nine and a half months later on March 7, 1982, spending his first month in the same NICU where his brother died. Then, after much joy, a job loss, and a relocation to Boulder, CO, I was determined to have a final healthy, normal birth experience. It wasn't to be. This is the beginning of our story of how Clay saved my life then suffered severe consequences from a torn lung soon after his birth. All our lives and hopes and dreams shattered in the blink of an eye.
God has cradled us in Hands of Grace in ways that leave the profound mark of the Potter upon us and those we meet. He has shaped us into vessels of His Glory by His purposes and plans. The journey has been long and hard. The potter's wheel has often seemed to spin out of control; yet in all things, we have learned that HIS HANDS have held us the entire voyage, transforming us into the beautiful vessels He has intended for us to become. To God be all the glory as we live our lives in the hands of His Amazing Grace. (Annette Monts Falls)
The pages of history prove that life is hard. Just as Annette told her story, you have one too. You are not alone in this world, though at times it may feel like it. I share Annette’s story for two reasons.
First, because you have a story and you matter. Your life—from birth to childhood, teens to adulthood, mid-life to the lonely aging years—has significance. No one, regardless of brains or brawn, religion or race, weight or wealth, successes or sorrows, is insignificant to the Creator. God the Father sent His Son to die for your sins in order to offer you eternal life with Him. You have a choice to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. When you accept God’s free gift of eternal life, He will hold you in His gracious hands from that moment on. He is your strength, guide, comforter, caregiver, friend, and faithful shepherd. You will never walk alone. Never will you face a moment of trial without His presence, His peace, and His promise. The trials remain, but He is your refuge. You cannot make it alone. God promises to protect you as the storms blow through season after season after season.
Second, I share Annette’s story because I want to hear yours. I want to hear how God has helped you. He remains constant when everything else spins out of control. We must retell such stories so others will find hope. Throughout the pages of Deuteronomy, Moses implored God’s people to pass His truth on to their children and grandchildren. Moses commanded the Israelites to write these truths down, place them on doors and by the beds and all around so they would remember God’s faithfulness. Let us never forget that His ways and His understanding surpass ours. But God’s love provides amazing grace and helps us find peace in all circumstances.
Your Story
I would love to hear your story. Because the Lord does not waste one moment of our lives, there is significance in sharing with each other the message of Christ and the magnificent story He has given you. Feel free to leave your story in the comments section below.
Hi Colleen. I don't know if you already sent the video out of our family's story, but here is a write up of our story that I wrote as well....
My Super Hero Wears A Cape Of Courage, A Smile That Melts Hearts And His “Special Shoes” Every Day!
My super hero is our (soon to be) 6-year-old son, Andrew.
Andrew is our biggest blessing…and best teacher…in this world. He teaches his parents important lessons every day. Lessons like: not to take for granted your talents and abilities; how to be patient when you are really frustrated; how to be an AMAZING friend to all who will let you —- and many more.
… and Andrew has cerebral palsy.
His “special shoes” are what we call the devices that he wears on his leg and feet to strengthen his leg, stretch his feet and provide sensory feedback to his brain. My super hero wears some cool looking special shoes!
After many years of MANY doctors not knowing exactly what “it” was (and therefore inaccurately putting his issues under the umbrella diagnosis of “developmental delay”), Andrew was finally diagnosed with cerebral palsy one month before his 4th birthday. That was 2 years ago last month. Wow, what an incredible journey the last 2 years have been! It has been a scary, humbling, informative, difficult, empowering and mostly BLESSED journey. I want to share it with all of you as we REALLY want our path, our son’s journey, to make that of others easier.
More than anything, this journey with Andrew has taught us to step FAR beyond our comfort zone in all areas….and then watch the blessings and miracles unfold! Having faith that positive things WILL happen, when we had absolutely no idea HOW, has been an incredible teacher as well.
We tried helping Andrew through the typical “western medicine” route where you go to the mainstream doctor and take the typical prescriptions, etc. That route is paid for by insurance. That route we have been raised with and understand. However, even though we were taking Andrew to the “top docs” in our area, Andrew was getting WORSE!
His gastrointestinal (GI) functioning was not at all normal and was our biggest concern and prayer. His GI system was so “broken”…even after YEARS of seeing the top pediatric GI doctors in the area….that Andrew had to be in diapers at age 4 and weighing nearly 50 lbs because it was impossible to potty train him. His tummy hurt ALL the time and we were heartbroken, frustrated and desperate for RELIEF for Andrew.
At the urging of some friends who had been in similar “desperate” places with their own family’s serious medical needs, we took Andrew to a M.D. who only practices holistic medicine. The doctor (naturopath) is a reported “pioneer” in the field and that office visit was unlike any I had ever attended. It was not weird or scary…just different. To start with, he LISTENED A LOT…and for a long time. His methods were different and I still don’t understand all of the testing he does completely, but I have seen first hand that what he is doing provides positive results. He is the doctor who diagnosed Andrew with cerebral palsy (FINALLY!!! A real diagnosis at the age of 4!) and he is the doctor we still see very regularly today.
The naturopathic doctor sent us directly to another NON-mainstream doctor. This one is a craniopath — a chiropractor with many years of additional training in how to do cranial sacral work. We see him every week. Andrew used to “toe walk” and within 8 visits to the craniopath, Andrew was walking flat footed for the 1st time in his life and continues to do so today!! FINALLY….RELIEF….and progress!
All of this was a HUGE step out of our comfort zone. To add to that, these treatments are considered “experimental” by the insurance industry and therefore not covered…at all! We live on the very modest salary of an Arizona school teacher (teachers are paid very low in our state) of Andrew’s father. I, Andrew’s mother, a mental health therapist/social worker for children and families by trade, had to leave the workforce to meet Andrew’s needs and demanding schedule of medical and therapy appointments. As you can imagine, I sat in the doctor’s office that 1st visit weeping at the shock of the diagnosis….and even more so at the fear of the underlying questions of, “How are we going to pay for this? How are we going to help our son?”
Andrew’s GI issues improved through the care of these two doctors, but not to the degree necessary. Therefore, the doctors recommended that Andrew get stem cell and hyperbaric oxygen treatments. I was told by the doctors that, “The best stem cell doctor in the country is in California and you need to take Andrew to him.” I was also told that these treatments would cost many thousands of dollars and again, insurance won’t pay for this. Again, I was left weeping (on the inside this time) and thinking, “How are we going to pay for this? How are we going to help our son?”
ENTER FAITH, God’s plan in all of this and MANY amazing people and blessings!!!
Fast forward 2 years…..my husband is still an AMAZING teacher in Arizona. We are still living on his modest salary. Our bills for Andrew’s medical care are still extensive…and EXPENSIVE. We pay an average of $750 per month out of pocket for Andrew’s day-to-day care and many thousands of dollars for a once a year trip to California for many weeks for the stem cell and hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Andrew has IMPROVED GREATLY through these innovative medical treatments. For example, within a few days of his first stem cell treatment, Andrew was having normal GI functioning for the first time in his life…and he was successfully potty trained a few weeks thereafter. That is SERIOUS PROGRESS and a huge answered prayer! We have been blessed by many “angels on earth” who have helped us financially with the medical treatments as well!
I was speaking with an acquaintance recently about Andrew’s journey and this is what she said to me, “It is inspiring how positive your attitudes are and how blessed you say you feel, despite the circumstances you are given.” I hear sentiments like hers fairly often. I am grateful that people hear that message in our story.
My response to her statement is this:
We ARE BLESSED in so many, many ways…and some of them are BECAUSE of the circumstances we have been “given”.
Her word choice was interesting, I thought…circumstances “given” —- as a GIFT is “given”. While it took me awhile to get here mentally and of course I pray daily that our son is healed completely — I now see that these circumstances HAVE been a gift in some ways.
The same is true in YOUR life, you just have to look for the gifts in your circumstances!
In short, we want people to know that there is HOPE and HELP for HEALING of cerebral palsy and other brain related disorders. Right NOW, right HERE….and our son is LIVING PROOF! We have found some innovative medical treatments that have significantly improved Andrew’s quality of life! Andrew is a very different child functionally than he was before these treatments. Unfortunately, these helpful treatments are not covered by insurance (my “soapbox” statements re: this piece of the story will be tabled for another time), but there are many venues to raise funds for medical treatments for your loved ones.
We pray that people are inspired by the story of our little “super hero”…as his daily journey definitely inspires us!! Andrew fights his fight with a hug and a smile for EVERYONE, EVERY DAY! Andrew has this infectious and uninhibited joy for people, animals and everything that excites him EVERY DAY! He greets us each morning with a HUGE SMILE, wanting to know the second he wakes up what he gets to do today and who he gets to see and have fun with. He embraces each day…that usually involves a visit to a doctor or therapist of some sort….as it is incredibly exciting and something he can’t wait to start enjoying! Needless to say, just like his Daddy, our little super hero is an incredible teacher as well!
I am providing links where you can read and watch more about Andrew’s journey, the treatments that are helping him IMPROVE & HEAL from the effects of cerebral palsy, AMAZING people and blessings we have encountered along the way, our prayer requests for Andrew and how any person or business can help Andrew continue to improve in a tax deductible way. Please SHARE this information, as you never know who can be helped by and inspired by this true life story of our little super hero who wears special shoes!
My parting request: PLEASE PRAY FOR ANDREW! Thank you!
Important Links:
NBC News Story in Los Angeles about Andrew’s treatments this summer and an amazing group of people who helped us:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Church-Members-Help-Child-Get-Expensive-Treatment-for-Cerebral-Palsy-166325106.html
Online, ongoing TAX DEDUCTIBLE fundraiser for Andrew’s medical bills. Every amount helps and every amount is tax deductible. The money goes directly to one of Andrew’s primary doctors for his extremely costly medical care there:
http://www.fansacrossamerica.org/assist_a_family/registry/families/families_in_need/andrew_burkhart_family.php
Posted by: Kellie Burkhart | Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 05:00 PM
Kellie,your writing is exactly what gives everyone such encouragement and insight. I'm so thankful you posted the additional links and info...what an incredible help you have been to many who will get to hear your story now. Thanks so much for connecting and I am honored to know you and your son...even if it is from a distance. = ) Colleen
Posted by: Colleen Thompson | Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10:18 AM