Hello there! It is such a blessing to be able to share our
son Jack with you. After not meeting age-appropriate milestones, Jack was
diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 9 months old. At the time of
his diagnosis, we were unsure and fearful of the future, but today we are
hopeful and so thankful for everything God has taught us through Jack the last
few years. It is not always easy and we still have heartache and
struggles, but we have embraced who Jack is and know the Lord has great and
purposeful plans for his life! Jack is now 3.5 years old and is absolutely thriving; he loves
to play with his brother Will, read books, listen and dance to music, and ride
horses. We hope that you are encouraged as you get to know Jack today!
son Jack with you. After not meeting age-appropriate milestones, Jack was
diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 9 months old. At the time of
his diagnosis, we were unsure and fearful of the future, but today we are
hopeful and so thankful for everything God has taught us through Jack the last
few years. It is not always easy and we still have heartache and
struggles, but we have embraced who Jack is and know the Lord has great and
purposeful plans for his life! Jack is now 3.5 years old and is absolutely thriving; he loves
to play with his brother Will, read books, listen and dance to music, and ride
horses. We hope that you are encouraged as you get to know Jack today!
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Miggy: Can you take me back to the day you knew your
son would have special needs? Do you remember how you felt? Can you
compare those first thoughts and feelings with how you feel now?
son would have special needs? Do you remember how you felt? Can you
compare those first thoughts and feelings with how you feel now?
Tiffany: The day we found out Jack has CP is a day that
will forever be etched in my mind. I remember going into the doctor’s
office to hear the results from his MRI, knowing that something was going on,
but holding onto the hope that it wasn’t
serious. When our doctor came in and said, “I think Jack has a condition
called Cerebral Palsy,” it was as if the world stopped. My immediate
thought was wondering whether or not I could be the mom Jack would need and
knowing that our lives just changed in an instant. Now, almost 3 years
later, I can say that our lives have changed, but it has been for the better.
Better because we see things from a different perspective now…our son’s
disability has allowed us to focus on the important things in this life and we
are so thankful for that. The Lord has given us a gift and we consider
ourselves blessed to be his parents!
will forever be etched in my mind. I remember going into the doctor’s
office to hear the results from his MRI, knowing that something was going on,
but holding onto the hope that it wasn’t
serious. When our doctor came in and said, “I think Jack has a condition
called Cerebral Palsy,” it was as if the world stopped. My immediate
thought was wondering whether or not I could be the mom Jack would need and
knowing that our lives just changed in an instant. Now, almost 3 years
later, I can say that our lives have changed, but it has been for the better.
Better because we see things from a different perspective now…our son’s
disability has allowed us to focus on the important things in this life and we
are so thankful for that. The Lord has given us a gift and we consider
ourselves blessed to be his parents!
Miggy: Explain how Jack’s specific special needs
affects your day-to-day life?
affects your day-to-day life?
Tiffany: Since Jack’s diagnosis, he has been in
physical, speech, occupational, cranial, constraint, music, and hippotherapy
programs. It is very time consuming and financially straining at times.
We have tried to put an emphasis on getting him the therapy he needs,
while trying to balance our lives, and being sensitive to our oldest sons needs
as well. We have also tried to continue to do the things we enjoy doing
together, allowing Jack to take part in activities that typical children
enjoy.
physical, speech, occupational, cranial, constraint, music, and hippotherapy
programs. It is very time consuming and financially straining at times.
We have tried to put an emphasis on getting him the therapy he needs,
while trying to balance our lives, and being sensitive to our oldest sons needs
as well. We have also tried to continue to do the things we enjoy doing
together, allowing Jack to take part in activities that typical children
enjoy.
Miggy: What are the biggest worries you face for
Jack?
Jack?
Tiffany: My biggest concern for Jack has always been
for him to be treated like a typical child- for others to know him for who is
truly is, not just “the kid with CP.” I also worry about him
having good friends and feeling accepted by others.
for him to be treated like a typical child- for others to know him for who is
truly is, not just “the kid with CP.” I also worry about him
having good friends and feeling accepted by others.
Miggy: How can people best approach or respond Jack?
Is there something you wish other people knew so as to avoid awkward or hurtful
situations?
Is there something you wish other people knew so as to avoid awkward or hurtful
situations?
Tiffany: We love it when someone comes up to Jack,
looks him in the eye and acknowledges him with a “hello” or “how
are you doing?” He might not be able to respond appropriately, but
he does know that he is being acknowledged and that means a lot. We also
do not mind when others ask questions about him; we actually feel like this is
a great thing…because when you are educated about something, it takes away
the fear or awkwardness. But, sometimes the questions asked are hard to answer
or hurtful because of how they are phrased. For example, “What is
wrong with him?” Or, “Oh, that poor baby, how do you do
it?” I think it’s just important to be sensitive and think before
you speak 🙂
looks him in the eye and acknowledges him with a “hello” or “how
are you doing?” He might not be able to respond appropriately, but
he does know that he is being acknowledged and that means a lot. We also
do not mind when others ask questions about him; we actually feel like this is
a great thing…because when you are educated about something, it takes away
the fear or awkwardness. But, sometimes the questions asked are hard to answer
or hurtful because of how they are phrased. For example, “What is
wrong with him?” Or, “Oh, that poor baby, how do you do
it?” I think it’s just important to be sensitive and think before
you speak 🙂
Since he is almost 3.5 years old, it
is sometimes hard when he is referred to as a baby. I think others see
that he is not completely walking on his own, talking, or potty-trained and
automatically think of him as a baby. It is not a big deal or extremely
hurtful, so I just try and let others know that he is actually a pre-schooler
who has cerebral pals, so they are aware of his special needs.
is sometimes hard when he is referred to as a baby. I think others see
that he is not completely walking on his own, talking, or potty-trained and
automatically think of him as a baby. It is not a big deal or extremely
hurtful, so I just try and let others know that he is actually a pre-schooler
who has cerebral pals, so they are aware of his special needs.
Miggy: Tell
us about Jacks big brother Will. What their relationship is like and how does
he handle (for lack if a better word) having a brother with special needs?
us about Jacks big brother Will. What their relationship is like and how does
he handle (for lack if a better word) having a brother with special needs?
Tiffany: Will, Jack’s older brother is his
very best friend, wrestling partner, fan, and encourager. We are so
grateful for their relationship and the incredible bond they have with one
another…sometimes we even think they have their own special language 🙂 Will
has always been tender and had a sweet spirit, but we know that his compassion
for others is greatly due to the fact that he has a brother with special needs.
He is more aware of others now and wants to help those who might need a little
encouragement. We have often prayed for Will to have so much confidence in
knowing how much we care for him, too, and that he is just as special as Jack,
because we never want him to feel less important. It has been extremely
important for us to make time for Will by himself, so we will try and take him
on “dates” occasionally and he really enjoys our time together…and,
it makes him feel special. Will just amazes us and we thank God for
giving him such a heart for his brother…it blesses us to know that Jack will
always have an older brother looking out for him 🙂
very best friend, wrestling partner, fan, and encourager. We are so
grateful for their relationship and the incredible bond they have with one
another…sometimes we even think they have their own special language 🙂 Will
has always been tender and had a sweet spirit, but we know that his compassion
for others is greatly due to the fact that he has a brother with special needs.
He is more aware of others now and wants to help those who might need a little
encouragement. We have often prayed for Will to have so much confidence in
knowing how much we care for him, too, and that he is just as special as Jack,
because we never want him to feel less important. It has been extremely
important for us to make time for Will by himself, so we will try and take him
on “dates” occasionally and he really enjoys our time together…and,
it makes him feel special. Will just amazes us and we thank God for
giving him such a heart for his brother…it blesses us to know that Jack will
always have an older brother looking out for him 🙂
Miggy: You and your husband have started a ministry
and blog dedicated to education people about special needs, can you tells us
more about this endeavor? What do you hope to do through this ministry
and who do you hope to reach?
and blog dedicated to education people about special needs, can you tells us
more about this endeavor? What do you hope to do through this ministry
and who do you hope to reach?
Tiffany: Andrew and I have wanted to do something to
spread awareness, so we started Common Threads, a blog and apparel company
dedicated to educating, unifying and fostering acceptance for those with
special needs. Our hope is to reach those who might have special needs,
parents of children with special needs, and those who want to join us in our
mission. Our t-shirts are rooted in Scripture and have a modern, unique
design that ANYONE can wear!
spread awareness, so we started Common Threads, a blog and apparel company
dedicated to educating, unifying and fostering acceptance for those with
special needs. Our hope is to reach those who might have special needs,
parents of children with special needs, and those who want to join us in our
mission. Our t-shirts are rooted in Scripture and have a modern, unique
design that ANYONE can wear!
Our website is: Common Threads …we
would love for you to connect with our family!
would love for you to connect with our family!
Miggy: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned
since becoming a special needs mom?
since becoming a special needs mom?
Tiffany: I have learned so many lessons as a
special needs mom, so this is a hard one. But, I think some of the most
important lessons I have learned are to enjoy my children, right where they are
and love them for who they are, nothing else. And, to trust that whatever
we go through in life, there is a purpose…and when we can see that, we are
deeply blessed. And, lastly, to NEVER put limitations on what our children will
accomplish with God’s help…we see new victories everyday!
special needs mom, so this is a hard one. But, I think some of the most
important lessons I have learned are to enjoy my children, right where they are
and love them for who they are, nothing else. And, to trust that whatever
we go through in life, there is a purpose…and when we can see that, we are
deeply blessed. And, lastly, to NEVER put limitations on what our children will
accomplish with God’s help…we see new victories everyday!
***************
A huge thank you to Tiffany for sharing her wonderful sons with us today. Didn’t you just melt at that first picture of Jack? Adorbs 5000. (Just made that up…don’t worry about it). Tiffany specifically asked if I could include a question about Jack’s big brother Will and I’m so glad she did! While the main purpose of the spotlight is about spreading awareness of all these wonderful differences, I too know that siblings play such a huge role in the lives of our kids. I think most of us moms know how absolutely amazing these siblings are and wish that they sometimes got more credit. Thanks again Tiffany… you have a beautiful family! Also, check out this super cute video of Jack walking to his mama. So sweet.
As always if you or someone you know would like to participate in the special needs spotlight please email me–or have them email me directly–at thislittlemiggy at gmail dot com.
Hugs not drugs everyone!
Have a great weekend.
Love these brothers. And can't help but be extra drawn to them. 😉 So fun to chat with you the other day. Too long since the last time. FYI — we got the good news we were looking for so all is well!
What a precious little boy, especially in the first picture 🙂
Love the brotherly bond.
You make such a beautiful family and YES! I am so IN LOVE with that first picture of JACK!! He is such a blessing! And even more, I was so taken by the relationship between Will and Jack. I just love reading about sibling relationships, they melt me like butta!! Special needs children on their own are something to behold and then the sibling set is a whole other story, as they will forever be their protector, their love, their everything. Funny coming from me though, we adopted a child and choose not to adopt again. We provide doggy sibling sets though ; )
There's a place we used to go in Philadelphia called, The Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential and I will never forget this story. I will give the Cliff Notes version. But I couldn't stop the tears from falling when they told us. There was a small child carrying his special needs brother and someone asked, "isn't he heavy?" The child replied, "He's not heavy, he's my brother." That sure speaks volumes as to how they really feel inside, doesn't it?
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Beautiful story, beautiful family!