Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "You chose ... a boy like THAT?! "Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
28 total reviews
Comment from jmdg1954
Wendy,
At some point my heart is going to break and tears are going to flow.
I can't imagine the hardships you encountered. Though you explain them, they had to be so much more difficult in real time.
I love to read how your kids called him their brother and took such good care of him.
I'm looking to the next chspter(s)...
John
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2024
  |
Wendy,
At some point my heart is going to break and tears are going to flow.
I can't imagine the hardships you encountered. Though you explain them, they had to be so much more difficult in real time.
I love to read how your kids called him their brother and took such good care of him.
I'm looking to the next chspter(s)...
John
Comment Written 15-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2024
-
Yes, in real time, there were some extremely hard moments, and I felt totally alone to cope with them. Coming up in later chapters you'll see what I mean. Thank you so much for your most encouraging review. Hoping you continue to enjoy the story.
Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
I remember how exhausting it was for you as you got so little sleep. And I remember in a previous post how it was those seemingly unsavory types who were kind and caring towards Jonathon. Perhaps because they, too, were misjudged by society, they had more compassion.
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2024
|
I remember how exhausting it was for you as you got so little sleep. And I remember in a previous post how it was those seemingly unsavory types who were kind and caring towards Jonathon. Perhaps because they, too, were misjudged by society, they had more compassion.
Comment Written 15-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2024
-
Thank you Helen. Yes, I am repeating (although rewriting from scratch) these events that I have written about before a couple of times, just to keep the thread of events running in my mind. The next chapter you will also remember, but later on there are many things to come which I have not written of before, but the time is right to do so, at this point. So I hope you won't mind reading things you already know, just for a little while. (Your memory is excellent!) Thank you for a lovely review.
Wendy
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
I think I feel genuinely overwhelmed by your commitment here. It was such a challenge when you already had three children of your own but your love and respect for Jonathan are already very much on show. I'm fascinated by your story which is so lucidly and honestly expressed, not least the fact that, as much as he's learning from you and your family, so too are you learning from him. The connection is there and you will make that work, no doubt inspired by your faith and very admirable sense of purpose. This will be a book that all carers will want to read, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing, Wendy. Debbie
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
 |
I think I feel genuinely overwhelmed by your commitment here. It was such a challenge when you already had three children of your own but your love and respect for Jonathan are already very much on show. I'm fascinated by your story which is so lucidly and honestly expressed, not least the fact that, as much as he's learning from you and your family, so too are you learning from him. The connection is there and you will make that work, no doubt inspired by your faith and very admirable sense of purpose. This will be a book that all carers will want to read, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing, Wendy. Debbie
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you Debbie. Such a beautiful and encouraging review. Thank you too for the six stars, which mean a great deal to me. I'm writing this one for family primarily, but also to show that disabled people can be respected and loved. But down the track some things occurred which may turn potential carers off. Lots of hard times too.
Wendy
Comment from karenina
I find such compassion and respect in your writing. You care for Jonathan--meet his needs, but more than that, just as a mom would, you noticed those who spoke TO him and those who spoke AT him or ABOUT him. You picked up on when he was relaxed and would look straight up at another...and when he'd hide his face. Regardless of his IQ "numbers" this boy who faced so many challenges, was aware of his sense of dignity and worth. I'm so impressed that you do not sugarcoat this initial adjustment period. It must have been like juggling cats at first! I felt your angst as you worked with him to reduce contractions. Love is empathy, and boy Wendy, God knew what He was doing when he led you to this calling! Bless your children for so freely accepting him as their brother! I wonder where they learned that, mom? Oh right... some great parenting!
Karenina
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
I find such compassion and respect in your writing. You care for Jonathan--meet his needs, but more than that, just as a mom would, you noticed those who spoke TO him and those who spoke AT him or ABOUT him. You picked up on when he was relaxed and would look straight up at another...and when he'd hide his face. Regardless of his IQ "numbers" this boy who faced so many challenges, was aware of his sense of dignity and worth. I'm so impressed that you do not sugarcoat this initial adjustment period. It must have been like juggling cats at first! I felt your angst as you worked with him to reduce contractions. Love is empathy, and boy Wendy, God knew what He was doing when he led you to this calling! Bless your children for so freely accepting him as their brother! I wonder where they learned that, mom? Oh right... some great parenting!
Karenina
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you Karenina. Your words mean more than I can express. So very encouraging. At times I failed badly, and it was just as well I didn't know ahead of time what would unfold over the years! Thanks again.
Wendy
-
You are an inspiration!
Comment from Navada
This is an extraordinary story. I have known many people with disabilities (mostly intellectual) as my parents volunteered with a day centre in my home town, but that is nothing like the daily reality of being responsible for someone with such profound needs. You are such a remarkable family for taking on the responsibility, but it is also clear how much you were learning from him and from living with him.
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
This is an extraordinary story. I have known many people with disabilities (mostly intellectual) as my parents volunteered with a day centre in my home town, but that is nothing like the daily reality of being responsible for someone with such profound needs. You are such a remarkable family for taking on the responsibility, but it is also clear how much you were learning from him and from living with him.
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you for this very encouraging review. Yes, we all learnt so much. And it was an ongoing learning experience. There were so many times I failed and felt it was just all too hard. And just as well I didn't know what would unfold over the coming years.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing Jonathan with us. I know in not only Jonathan's eyes but God's you and your family are truly angels. Working with the handicap is difficult but can and should be done. Too often peoples' judgments get in the way.
he refused to even try to respond to these. Secretly, I was pleased. To me this signalled that there was intelligence within. (AMEN!!!!)
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
Thank you for sharing Jonathan with us. I know in not only Jonathan's eyes but God's you and your family are truly angels. Working with the handicap is difficult but can and should be done. Too often peoples' judgments get in the way.
he refused to even try to respond to these. Secretly, I was pleased. To me this signalled that there was intelligence within. (AMEN!!!!)
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you Barbara for your lovely and most encouraging review. It was very hard, and many times I failed, as will be seen. There were lots of difficult things ahead, and it is just as well I didn't know what was coming.
Wendy
Comment from Annmuma
The most attractive thing about this post is its pure honesty. It is easy to imagine the author's feelings of failure and success when trying to manage the unimaginable. The descriptions are clear, the scene is painted with empathy for all the characters, the flow is perfect. I admire you and your family. I also admire Jonathan as he attempts to live his best life. ann
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
The most attractive thing about this post is its pure honesty. It is easy to imagine the author's feelings of failure and success when trying to manage the unimaginable. The descriptions are clear, the scene is painted with empathy for all the characters, the flow is perfect. I admire you and your family. I also admire Jonathan as he attempts to live his best life. ann
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you very much, Ann. Such a lovely and most encouraging review about the writing itself. Very much appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
I am so impressed by you and your family's acceptance of Jonathan with all his difficulties and your desire to help him. I love the beautiful way you told this story. I can't remember that I have ever done anything that heroic.
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
I am so impressed by you and your family's acceptance of Jonathan with all his difficulties and your desire to help him. I love the beautiful way you told this story. I can't remember that I have ever done anything that heroic.
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
You have served the Lord faithfully in amazing ways, and still do, with your uplifting poetry. We didn't and don't think of it as heroic, but we did feel a sense of calling to do this, and fortunately we did not know what was to unfold over the years! Thank you for your lovely review.
Wendy
Comment from royowen
As I read these words, I remain in awe of how you could have possible sign on to attach this monumental task of taking care of Jonathon,, it's such a pity he was unable to communicate with him, even though I sense you were cognitively aware of him needs and his pain. Beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
As I read these words, I remain in awe of how you could have possible sign on to attach this monumental task of taking care of Jonathon,, it's such a pity he was unable to communicate with him, even though I sense you were cognitively aware of him needs and his pain. Beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you Roy for this lovely review. Much appreciated.
Wendy
-
Most welcome
Comment from damommy
I've often found it's the "misfits" who have the most compassion. I've had help loading groceries by young men I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, but they were so kind and sweet. I never judge someone by their looks. Big mistake.
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
|
I've often found it's the "misfits" who have the most compassion. I've had help loading groceries by young men I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, but they were so kind and sweet. I never judge someone by their looks. Big mistake.
Comment Written 14-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2024
-
Thank you Yvonne - you are exactly right. We just do not know what difficult path these social "misfits" have endured, but they are frequently compassionate and understanding. Lovely review.
Wendy