"Big Bird's" Music

 
Each time I run into Lance, an LAI caregiver, alias "Big Bird," it is a wonderful surprise, and Lance seems to think so, too. When I took my 87 year-old friend, Dorothea, for a doctor's appointment, Lance also was there. Dorothea had been saying how she found something new in Journey With Jeff each time she read it. She was delighted to meet "Big Bird" (his story, "Big Bird's Car," is on pp.259 -261,)who continued with other stories about how he and Jeff had bonded over their love of music. He remembered having MTV on in the morning at Jeff's residence, when Jeff always had to say goodbye to each of the instruments before he left. "Goodbye, Trumpet. Goodbye, Drums. Goodbye, Sax."~~~ We talked about the fun at the LAI parties celebrating their 5th and 10th Anniversaries. Jeff's best friend, Foch, loved to take the mike and try to remember the words to the songs the band played. Jeff danced up a storm, then was eager to have his turn with the drums during intermission. I love the stories -- the memories -- I hear when Lance and I meet.~~~ (Photo is of the Christmas gift Jeff's sister, Jennifer made for him.)

Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs: Special Needs Children

Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs: Special Needs Children

Special Needs Children

 
Karen, the child between Jeff and his friend, Robbie in the photo, was born prematurely and spent several weeks in a hospital incubator. Karen and Jeff spent their first few years together. Her story is in Journey With Jeff. Today she works in a Nursing Home as a C.N.A. and we keep in touch by notes, and by Face Book. Karen writes: "Yes I did read Jeffery's story, and I remembered the fact that God made great people like Jeffery. I still remember when we played together. Do you remember when you ran over a snake when we all were going to visit your mother and father? I will always miss Jeffery as well as you and Uncle Bob. Love, Karen Marie." Her mother, a close friend of mine, was a big influence in my life. Her advice is also included in Journey With Jeff. Karen said a number of people had asked where they could buy a copy of the book so I told her they could order it from Amazon.com, or from me at my e-mail address: rsreisch@frontiernet.net. Who do you know that could use a copy of Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs"? Order it today for someone who needs to know they are not alone in their caregiving.

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.

Family Support

 
To my brother, "retarded" means that a soul has come to this earth to rest and to teach. Jeffrey surely was our teacher! A number of our family have responded with careers of working with people with special needs. Friends, too! I am more than thankful!~~~ I wasn't very thankful when my brother, John spoke to me early on that Jeff was not responding as a "normal" child. He says my hackels shot up! It took me a whole two years to hear that message, then to ask, "Where do we go from here?" When Jeff was 5 or 6, John remembers Jeff visiting his home. He had a German Shepherd, "Horse," that Jeff was thrilled to hug and chase. He says, "After about an hour of running, Horse decided it was time to rest, and he put his shoulder against Jeff, and pinned him to the wall. After the commotion this created (Jeff screaming) the two of them went into the bedroom and laid down together for a rest. Even Horse knew that 'Special' did not mean anything other than to learn to communicate differently." John remembers only a handful of meetings with Jeff, always with a house full of people, where John recalls Jeff always fit in. Since my brother and I have not been on the same road traveled, these memories of his are pure gold. Thank you, John!

Caregiver's Reviews

 
Amazon.com Reviews such as the following will be included in my second book, "Ripple Effect: Responses to Journey With Jeff." If you have read Journey With Jeff I invite a response from you! Was it helpful to you? Would you recommend it to any caregivers you know?~~~ A friend wrote for Amazon.com: "I read this book cover to cover in a very short time. Sybil writes in a manner that makes it so that you can't wait to see what happens next. I was continually awed by the amazing faith she and Bob showed through out their time with Jeff. From the reluctant acceptance that their son Jeff had a problem through dealing with medical people where some showed an 'holier than thou' attitude to those that were a tremendous help. The book will make you cry, laugh and gnash your teeth in frustration with 'the system.'"~~~ Strongly consider writing a review for Amazon.com, if you are a customer. It will be a good recommendation for others checking it out! Thank you!

Hope With Chanllenges

Journey With Jeff: Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs should have included the story of my brother's frustration with my stubborn insistance that Jeff didn't have a problem - he was just growing at his own pace. His frustration must have matched that of my friends, Joan and Corrie (see "God Sends Friends" - pp. 23+24) who could see that I didn't want to hear anything to the contrary. I wavered between being energized with Jeff's progress and falling into frusted helplessness. By the time he was 3, I told my friend, Corrie that "Deep down in my bones I know Jeff is developmentally disabled, but I fight it with all that's in me!" The possibility of any blessings from Jeff's problems had never crossed my mind!~~~I wonder how many of my readers have had trouble getting to the place of letting go and letting God be God, and seeing how - in all things - God works for good!