Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Jordan's Smile and Share the Shelter Link Up

Parents of kids with special needs don’t see a disability when they look at their kids. Instead, they see the most precious and wonderful blessing of their lives. They see their child. ~Eliana Tardi  




Immediately after Jordan was just born, the doctors said he wouldn't live to be a toddler. Then they changed the prognosis to "not past toddler years...school years...teenager." But at 19, Jordan is defying the odds. His parents, partnering with God, have given him not just life, but abundant life.  

Dwight and Becky, although not his birth parents, have cared for him since birth. Second mile caring -- clean and soft hair and skin, Downy fresh clothes, and love in abundance. From his sisters to their children, the whole family delights in Jordan.

Jordan was my children's church when he was school age.  He loved music. Blindness kept him from seeing the instruments, but oh how he loved shaking the tambourines. I'd involve him any way I could. If the boys were wearing hats, Jordan wore a hat. If the boys could choose a prize, Kent, a boy with a tender heart, chose a prize for Jordan, too. He has the most beautiful smile and I loved seeing him happy.  


Today I was able to see Jordan where he's been for over a month. He was admitted because of issues with his g-tube. He then encountered problems with his breathing and ended up on a vent.  Today, although the vent is still in, they have it turned off and he is breathing around it. It was such a joy to see that smile again, however fleeting it was.  

Jordan's life has touched so many. Of course, some too busy and preoccupied to allow him to teach them compassion, joy and determination. For those of us who have chosen to listen, Jordan has taught us joy in simple things, to accept others and to love with abandon.  


I'm praying Jordan will fight this new battle so he can do his favorite activity--go camping. I want him to feel the breeze on his hand, sleep in the tiny camper with his parents and feel those slimy, scaly fish he loves. Will you pray with me? (Just before posting this Becky sent me a text: "He got the vent off.  Praise the Lord!"  I'm praising Him, too!


I took Becky a magazine and a bag of snacks. I'd love to hear your ideas of a practical way to shelter a mother staying at the hospital night after night.

Share the Shelter


Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.

I'm linking to Hope in Every Season.

17 comments:

Charlotte Meador said...

What a beautiful post, and right on time on Disability Awareness Month! People who have disabilities have taught me more about myself and living life than any other people group. Forgiveness, persistence, maintaining dignity, unconditional love, and more things than I can name. Thank you for giving Jordan a place on your blog!

Trisha said...

God bless Jordan! My aunt is a special needs teacher and I have been blessed by so many of her students and I truly believe they have all made me a better person! Cheering with you in hearing that the vent was removed!

~Trisha

Laurie Collett said...

Praise God that He made each of us unique, beautiful, and in His image! Thanks for the beautiful post and for hosting & God bless!

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful boy!

I'll never forget being completely overwhelmed in the hospital, thinking I would have quiet to work on accounting homework but not being able to concentrate. When my friends Lori and Kirsten walked in with three slices of cake from Kokomo's very own chocolatier, and magazines, it was a blessing in the guise of distraction I didn't know how desperately I needed!

I also have friends who appreciate rolls of quarters for vending machines, laundry soap and softener to do laundry, fast food (or better) certificates to catch a break from cafeteria food, gas cards for driving back and forth. Mostly though, knowing someone cares means all the world!

Esther Joy said...

How do you shelter a caregiver? Maybe by giving her breaks, ...or my favorite - taking them a small gift or food, letting them know they are not forgotten.

Veronica Lee said...

I'm so glad I've been following your lovely blog or I'll never get to know beautiful Jordan! God bless him and you too!

Denise said...

This is so heartwarming and lovely Pamela. Isn't there is so much to be learned from people’s distinctive character and beauty? Jordan has a deep innocent love and beauty in his heart that many of us could probably never experience. Bless his heart; I am praising with you, and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers! :)

Joy and blessings Pamela!
Denise

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous post of love.

Maryann said...

Ways you can shelter a caregiver while at the bedside of a loved one
Coffe and a homemade baked good brought to the hospital
Borrow an IPod and download teachings or music to let them listen to
Volunteer to stay at the bedside a couple hours so they can take a break
Bring a meal to the hospital, enough for two, then share it with them
Will be praying for Jordan and his family

Esther Asbury said...

I tend to take them something to do (magazine/book to read or wordsearch book), something to eat (candy/homemade cookies etc.), and something to wear (new fuzzy socks/lotion etc.). I love it when my s-i-law (Pam) tells me what meant the most to her - it gives me GREAT ideas for future use!

RicKaren said...

Lovely post! I've been the girl in the hospital a few times, and I think that knowing someone cares enough to do SOMETHING is more important than it being the RIGHT thing. Just saying that even if the gift is not what was NEEDED, it WAS what I needed, because what I needed was to feel SHELTERED! =)

Courtney said...

This is beautiful. Jordan is a precious gift from God, and how wonderful that he is living with a family and community who sees him as exactly that. As for how to shelter the mother, our church puts together bags for folks with relatives in the ICU. They include gum, mints, quarters (for snacks), kleenex, hand sanitizer, magazines, books, puzzle books, paper and pencils/pens.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Pamela, I am just now catching up ... you sure do have my prayers for your friends! I don't have a link up this week; I am just now beginning to visit and return with my Monday comments.

Hugs and God Bless!

Kathy M.

Little Birdie Blessings said...

Thank you for hosting this Pamela, and for sharing the story about Jordan. A young man who no doubt receives a lot of love, but gives it as well. ~ Abby

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing Jordan's story and this wonderful reminder of how God loves each one of us and created each one special.

Glad we got to link up with you today!

Unknown said...

Pamela,
Thank you for coming to my blog. In visiting you back I found your party, so thank you.
I am also praying for Jordan. What a beautiful young man.
We have the good fortune of having Brady in our family with a similar story. He has taught us so much and is a BIG blessing in our life.
Hugs,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

Kim M. said...

Great post! He has blessed us all so much.