Rare Disease Day 2021

To celebrate Rare Disease Day, I had the chance to contribute to a podcast in honor of our rare son, Bridger.

Here is a little snipet:

This  sweet boy is one of my greatest blessings.   

The way he handles his physical trials each day is unbelievable.

The small things we take for granted are his biggest challenges.  Just holding his head up, for example, takes every ounce of energy he can muster.

And yes.....naps each day are still in order.  He works so hard that his broken body gets so worn out.

It's hard to put into words what this boy means to me.  He is one of my greatest blessings.  Because of him, we have a special spirit  in our home.  I know he has the best guardian angels watching out for him constantly.  He is precious, positive, pure, and practically perfect in every way.  Today, and every day, we honor you, Bridger Trey!

Meltdown Miracle

This past year, Bridger has started to have some major meltdowns.  They hit at a moments notice and include intense screaming, crying, and tensing his whole body.   It's almost impossible to console him at times like this.  He is continually our science experiment as we try different strategies to help him through these moments. 

 Just this last week, out of nowhere, during his ABA session a major meltdown ensued.  He was SO mad.  I always start by giving him his communication device (tobii dynavox) to see if he will use it to communicate to me what is wrong.  When he's this mad, he tends to just push it away, and that's exactly what he did.  

I tried all sorts of his favorite things, and nothing helped.  And then.... much to my surprise, he took his hand and pointed it towards me.  I got the vibe that maybe, just maybe he wanted me to hold him?  SO I picked him up and held him tight while rocking him.  And slowly, he started to calm down.  

The tears stopped, he relaxed in my arms, and then.... he started to look up at the ceiling, so intently, at one specific spot.   I got goosebumps, as I felt a wave of the spirit come over me.  I knew, without a doubt, one of Bridger's angels was near.  Tears spilled from my eyes and I desperately wanted to know who our angelic visitor was.  I have a strong feeling it was my sweet daddy.  

 I'm grateful to know we have angels near, always ready to help in these moments we need them most.  I pray often for Bridger's guardian angels to be near.   This moment was precious and confirmed those prayers for his guardian angel are being heard.

Christmas Miracle

One of the highlights of this past Christmas was with our angel Bridger.  We had all my family over for a Christmas party.  As the night was winding down, we all gathered around Bridger as he was showing off some of his latest skills.

Bridger is now four and a half years old.  This boy has put in hours and hours at therapy.  Doctors didn't think he'd live to see his second birthday, let alone sit by himself.  I'm here today to tell you he has proved doctors wrong on so many levels.

We all gathered around Bridger and started chanting his name.  He was so happy and was loving it!

In the midst of these cheers for Bridger, I instantly thought of one of my favorite quotes from Elder Holland:

"Keep trusting. Keep believing.  Keep growing.  Heaven will be cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

Now, I wish I could have eyes to see those angels there in the room cheering on Bridger, with us.  I can definitely imagine one of them, being my dad, with that signature grin and loving voice.

Poster Boy...

What took months in the making is now a completed project!  Several months ago, I entered Bridger into a contest on how he could make a difference in our community.  Adaptive swings are something this community has needed for a very long time, so we wrote in the proposal we'd like to add an adaptive swing at one of the parks.  We were hopeful that maybe he'd get chosen, but knew the reality of the situation, that many hundreds of kids in the contest would all be deserving.  

A few weeks later, I got a call from a rep of the company to let me know Bridger was selected as one of the top 5 finalists and they would split the money 5 ways!!!  After the fundraiser was complete, we ended up with nearly $7,500!!!  So, instead of just ONE adaptive swing, we ended up installing SIX!!!!  It was incredible how it all worked out.  These swings are already blessing the lives of countless kids, just like Bridger, in our community, who need adaptive equiptment.  I have received several videos from community members showing me their cute kids enjoying the swings.  My eyes get teary everytime I see them being used!  Thanks to @teacollections, a childrens clothing company, for making this dream a reality for us!

Strength during a Storm

Countless experiences have taught me that every sincere prayer uttered is heard.  I'm always astounded at the answers and how they come.... some answers come instantly, and some years later. I need to document a recent experience I had with prayer for my family, friends, and others who ever doubt if there is someone listening.

It's difficult to even put into words what it's like raising a child like Bridger.  This has been the most challenging/rewarding thing I've ever experienced.  It has tested us beyond my limits, and thankfully Heavenly Father has been there to help carry us through.  

I try my best to maintain an eternal perspective as Bridger continually suffers and battles countless physical issues and discomforts;  this isn't going to be forever, it is just a small moment.  Bridger will eventually be exalted and be made perfect.  

Several months ago, Bridger started doing amazing...  He was having fantastic nights where he'd sleep through the night, his vomiting was decreasing, and overall, he was happier and pleasant during the day.  We were so excited about this and weren't sure what brought it on- as nothing we had done had changed.  

Sadly, this didn't last forever.  The yuckiness came back, he started throwing up every night before bed, during the night he'd wake multiple times crying, hurting, and throwing up, and then again in the morning he'd awake early and throw up again.  He was miserable and sad all the time and acted like he was hurting. Days were hard, nights were harder--- it just seemed like he couldn't shake it and the there was no end in sight.  When Bridger isn't doing well, it starts to take it's toll.   During this time, I took him into the doc over the course of two months at least a dozen times for consultations, antibiotics, and such as they kept saying it was an ear infecion.  We also saw the ENT twice- and he would say the opposite- NO ear infection.  SO, what's a mom to do.  One doc says one thing, one says another.....all of which resulted in no diffinitive answers.

On the way home from the last doctor visit, I lost it.  After leaving with NO answers again, my emotions were on my sleeve.  As I drove, I prayed out loud through the tears, asking Heavenly Father what to do.  I try and try and try....and fail and fail and fail.... and can't seem to find anyone to figure out what's wrong or help relieve him from his sufferings.  Watching your child suffer continually is the most difficult thing to endure.  I poured my heart out and put it all out on the table.

When we got home, we continued about our day and then later that same evening, I received a text from a friend I hadn't touched base with in a while. 

In her text she said: "I'm reading this book that I'm loving.  There is a chapter in here that I can't help but share with you":

Some would call this pure coincidence....  To me, this was a direct answer from a loving Father in Heaven, to me, a mother questioning how to continue on raising this precious son with so many needs. After reading this, which I know was a direct answer to my pleading prayer that day, I instantly fell to my knees in gratitude to my Father in Heaven for the way he spoke to my heart and calmed my storm.  This answered prayer has lead me to have more strength, more gratitude, and a deeper love for my Father in Heaven. 

I'll be ever thankful to this sweet friend for acting on a prompting and being the instrument in God's hands to provide the answer I was so desperately looking for.

Just as we are promised in James 1:5- "If you lack wisdom...ask of God."  I can say without any reservations, he will answer, he will help you through your storms.

GQ with the Leg Cross

Bridger has some little quarks that just get me everytime.  Right now, this is one of them.  He has this thing for crossing his leg!  It's the dang cutest thing ever!  It never fails-- in his carseat, everytime he falls asleep, he first has to cross his leg.  In his wheelchair, I will find him randomly crossing his leg, too.  Mr. Leg Crosser--- you are the cutest!

Kindred Spirits

So many stars have aligned for our family to meet the Jeppson family.  We have had TWO separate and distinct experiences that have led me to believe that we are being brought together by angels from the other side.  There is no other way to explain it.  Seeing these boys together is something that will leave you speechless with your heart about to explode.  And notice their hands, that was all on their own.   I wonder what these two would say if they could talk with each other.  They are both unable to speak, but their actions communicate volumes. .  The stories they would tell....  Someday.  I know we will get to hear all about it.  I can hardly wait!!!