Inspiration For and From Readers

It wonders me how many people have read the 565 copies of "Journey With Jeff" which are in a dozen libraries, or in their own library, and who have passed it on! One of my friends at church bought a copy, declared it "Fantastic!" and told her daughter, who is a nurse, "You have got to read this!" Her busy daughter made it a point to tell me, "I like the format, because the chapters are short. This makes it easy to read, put down, and pick up again."~~~The young music teacher who wrote the Forward to "Journey With Jeff" exclaimed, "The book really has taken on a life of its own, hasn't it?!?" She sometimes quotes a tidbit or two to the parents of her special needs students, hoping they will want to pick it up and read more.~~~One of the young neighbors we met when we first moved to Hamlin, NY, in 1976, is now a policeman. He saw the book in the library, recognized my name, and when he saw my husband at the library, he made a point of telling him he had read it. I am anxious to get in touch with him to hear his response to the story of Jeff, who was just about his age when we were neighbors. Yes, "Journey With Jeff" seems to have taken on a life of its own! It's pretty exciting, and I relish every single response from my readers!!

Respect for an Inherent Dignity

At a Lutheran Book Club discussion of "Journey With Jeff," one of the members experienced an "aHa Moment." She wrote, "Your book has made me more accepting of everyone just as God made them!" A new respect for the inborn dignity of all God's children was born! What an accomplishment, AND what a blessing this will be for everyone! She also said she "liked my format and found it easy to read -- each chapter a lesson in itself." She thanked me for putting my feelings "out there where hopefully we can all learn from them."~~~The presiding pastor added, "The discussion went really well. We talked about the style of writing, which we appreciated, especially the letters to God. We could picture Jeff, his struggles, the seizures and surprises, and talked at length about the time period that Jeff was alive. It was a great conversation that flowed well, and I encouraged everyone to send you an e-mail, or a letter, or to friend you on Face Book."~~~YES!~~~What a joy to know that eight Lutheran Book Club members joined together to read and discuss the story of our joys and challenges, and how God has blessed us and so many people through Jeff!

Inspiration and Encouragement

Jeff loved Camp Joy! He loved Joan Van de Wall, Camp Joy Director! Joan was there at the end of Jeff's earthly life, when he told her he was ready to go to see Jesus. For a while I couldn't go back to Camp Joy, but I wrote about it in the script of "Journey With Jeff," first produced in a 5-CD package. When Joan listened to these she wrote, "Your tape is an absolute spiritual piece of hard and struggling work! It is an inspiration to all who listen. I can feel your hurts, struggles and at times discouragement. I could also feel Jeff's emotions, which brought back many memories. I could feel Bob's struggles, too, and his faith. Yes, Jennifer, too --her patience at times and her love for her family, and Jeff. This work of Discipleship is great for anybody who is struggling with their problems -- the same 'God, hear my cry;' and 'God, help me to listen and trust;' and 'God, I love you, help my unbelief!' Jeff's faith just shines through like the light in a dark room. He sure is a precious gift to all he encountered."~~~Joan bought a couple dozen copies of "Journey With Jeff" to give away to her Camp Joy staff. Memories were stirred. People became aware of what parents of people with special needs go through. Some said it was amazing what Jeff could do, and what he could understand. Camp Joy's staff is incredible, too. They have been loving caregivers for more than 25 years! I can hear Jeff's affirming, "Yeah, Mom!!" now.

Aha Moments

Talk about inspiration! Mike from Mutual of Omaha, the 'official sponsor of the aha moment,' responded to my July 3rd blog, "Music, Music, Music." He said he really enjoyed this great post. "I have always marveled at the connection kids have with music, and special needs kids are no exception!" he said. "I thought you might enjoy this video in which Jack tells a story about helping a special needs boy sing a song in a talent show. They BOTH got alot out of it: ahamoment.com/pg/moments/view/203." Jack says, "I'll never forget that kid. He changed my life." As a professional musician, Jack had been hired for the summer to play piano in the great parlor of a summer resort. This ten year old boy hung out there listening to him play the piano. One day he asked Jack if he knew 'A Little Help From My Friends" from the Beatles. He played it and the boy sang it perfectly, then asked if he could be in the weekly talent show. They checked it out with his parents, who were very hesitant and afraid for him. Jack told them, "You know, he'll be with me. I think he'll be able to do it." Jack continues, "The night of the talent show, he gets up there and he knocks it out of the park. There wasn't a dry eye in the house." This joyful moment inspired Jack to look into another career. He earned his Master's in psychology and social work, working with kids. Aha moments ~~~ such wonderful serindipity!

Journey With Jeff in Hometown Library

This weekend has been full of inspiration, encouragement, family and friends! Since one of my
High School classmates knew I'd be in Middleburgh, NY, for my
nephew John Paul's 40th birthday, he arranged a presentation of Journey with Jeff at my hometown library. Usually 8 - 15 people attend the library presentations. There were 12 who came this time -- schoolmates (some with spouses,) cousins, teachers and librarians. As I shared how I came to write Jeff's story, and our joys and challenges along the way, I read three vignettes: "Welcome To Holland," which helps people stop mourning what they wish their child could have become, but open their arms to the trip to come; "Movin' On" which includes many of the events and emotions of Jeff moving from home; and "Big Bird's Car," my favorite story, and one which causes much laughter.~~~Six people bought a copy of Journey With Jeff, and a few shared their own stories. One woman bought a copy for her sister whose daughter has severe Cerebral Palsy. I learned that a young man in his 30's was there, along with his parents, who is slowly deteriorating, and the doctors can do nothing about it. They seem to be handling it bravely. I left a book for the Middleburgh Library shelves as well. I hope the people will Read It, Review It, and Pass It On!

Jeff's "I love you!"

Joy! Pure joy! That is what I sensed in Michelle as she told me about her youngest child. After she had miscarried four babies, and was pregnant once more, tests showed that there was a possibility of the baby having Down Syndrome. "Do you want to abort?" the doctor asked her. "No! No way!" she said, "I've waited a long time for this baby!" She carried her son full term, and when he was born, he was fine. He is four years old today, and being a very "normal" child. "What if I had aborted?" she reflected. "This beautiful son of mine would never have been born!"~~~I read that 90% of pregnancies which predict a child with Down Syndrome are aborted! 90%! Many families who want to adopt a child with special needs find there are not many available. Please spread the word that if a mother-to-be cannot handle the possibility of a baby with difficulties, she should deliver this precious child, and offer it for adoption! So many people will be blessed!

Differently Abled

Jeff loved to be busy, to be helping people. And, the people around him found jobs for him to do, enjoying the wide smiles he gave so generously. I was very thankful for the wisdom, support, and encouragement of those wonderful persons! Today I learned of another
mother whose 43 year-old differently abled daughter is living in an LAI Assisted Living apartment, going to a work program, and eager to help plan lots of activities for her group. This mother says, "I enjoyed reading Journey With Jeff. It reminded me of the difficult times I went through with my daughter, and made me feel successful for having met those challenges! The book gave me some ideas of what's available. It inspired me." I am inspired by remarks such as this mother's, as I watch the ripple effect of Jeff's story.