The Blessing Counter: Inspiration and Encouragment

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Inspiration and Encouragment

Once upon a time, there was a woman with three adorable two year olds. Busy did not even begin to describe her days as she kept the house running so that her Orthopedic Resident husband didn't have to worry; kept the kids washed, fed, loved; and came to terms with the fact that two of these precious little loves had Cerebral Palsy.

In this far away time, in a far away land (way way up north in the tundra), this woman had a dear friend who sensed the inner struggle and wanted to help. So when this dear friend read about a doctor in St. Louis who not only treats kids with Cerebral Palsy but also HAS Cerebral Palsy, she grabbed the entire magazine and promptly ran it over.

The doctor, Dr. Jan Brunstrum, was an inspiration. She overcame adversity in an age when very little attention was given to children with special needs. She was not cured of her Cerebral Palsy but rather she did amazing things (and continues to do amazing things) IN SPITE of her Cerebral Palsy. The article made the woman tearful, grateful, inspired and eager to cheer her beautiful boys to whatever amazing things were in their future!

Many years later, the woman is given an opportunity to meet the doctor. She cries through most of the encounter. And then a year later, she gets to spend more time with her -- and introduce her to the adorable three two-year-olds (who are now 12!) and one adorable 3-year-old (who is still 3!).

All the children were inspired and encouraged by meeting this doctor who had so inspired their Mommy 10 years before...but one especially identified with her and was reminded that he can do anything he sets his mind to do!! (Just exactly like the Mom had been saying all these years!)