Jocelyn is Jude’s mother. Her husband left her nine years ago for another women. At that time, Jude was three years old and had every capability. Three years later at the age of six, Jude was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Jocelyn was told that Jude would only live until he was nine years old. He is now twelve years old. Jocelyn said that Jude used to be able to hold eye contact and respond, but he is no longer responsive and stares blankly. She is afraid he may have lost his sight because of the progression of the disease.
When Jude’s symptoms progressed, Jocelyn quit her job to take care of Jude full-time since she is the only caretaker in the family. She was treating his disease with medicine, but the treatment got to be too expensive with her unemployment. Also, Jocelyn has three other children ages nine, fourteen, and seventeen. Her eldest daughter is in her first year of college. If it wasn’t for her scholastic achievement, she would not have been able to attend college.
Within the first two years of taking care of Jude, Jocelyn said she had wanted to give up, but it was her faith that kept her going. Jocelyn’s story breaks my heart as well as strengthens my faith. She is a fighter. I’ve worked with adults with disabilities the past two summers. I understand to some degree how much is involved in loving and caring for someone who has a disability. It takes someone who is selfless and incredibly patient. It is most definitely not for the faint of heart. Hearing everything else that Jocelyn has been through shows that she is a woman of strength and courage. Her perseverance in her faith is incredible even when everything seems to be against her.
My Filipino friend, Tina, and I had the opportunity to hear Jocelyn’s story while taking surveys of the community demographics. As I heard Jocelyn’s story, my heart began to break for both her and her family. At one point, I almost thought that I was going to have to leave the home to “keep it together”. I didn’t. I sat there in her home and let the Lord break my heart for what breaks his. I teared up as she spoke. After hearing her story, I had the opportunity to pray with her and Jude. As I prayed, I choked up and couldn’t really hold back the tears; her story weighed and still weighs heavy on my heart. She began to cry, as well. After I finished praying, I looked at Jude, and he looked right at me and slightly smiled. I took it as a reminder from the Lord that he is with them and keeping watch over Jude even when I am unsure of how to help as my heart is heavy.
Please keep both Jocelyn and her family in your prayers. Pray for me as I struggle through what to do with how the Lord has broken my heart in this way. Thank you!
Much love,
Emily
Sent from my iPhone
