This is the most personal post I have ever done. For a few months I have had it in the back of my mind. You may or may not remember a news story that was all over the internet this summer about a letter written to the mother of a child with autism. The letter was absolutely horrific. I was and still am a little skeptical that it was even real, who could possibly be that cruel and inhumane and selfish? This story is what really got me thinking –
More people should meet Jared.
Maybe I should be a voice, however small, for anyone with disabilities or who cares for someone with disabilities. And so this week, being the most consciously thankful week of the year, I thought I’d introduce you to someone I am so thankful for, Jared.
He’s my younger brother. He was hit by a truck while riding his bike when he was 3. He suffered severe brain damage, specifically his brain stem. His mind is very functional, but the connection from brain to body is damaged.
He cannot do anything for himself.
He can’t walk, talk, or eat.
But he is not defined by what he can’t do.
He is all about what he CAN do:
he can smile,
he can brighten a room,
he can lift spirits,
he can invoke an overwhelming feeling of gratitude,
he can teach selflessness and kindness,
he can bring laughter and joy
he emulates all things good.
He CAN do so much.
Jared is the most patient, optimistic, and happy person I have ever known.
He enjoys the little things. A lot of those little things are things we take for granted.
When he was younger, we could lift him and carry him with little effort. I used to put him on my hip and carry him all around the house. But he is not little anymore, he is 24. It’s a much bigger challenge to lift him into or onto anything.
This summer we went on a family trip to Bear Lake. Since our last trip there, they have installed a new handicapped accessible chair for the pool. We were so excited to use it to get Jared in the water. It’s been a very long time since he got to swim. It took my brother Josh, my husband, and my dad to successfully and safely get him on the chair. But then, he got to swim!
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I don’t know who loved it more, us or him. I mostly took pictures and cried with a smile on my face. Seeing the love and selflessness that surrounds Jared is amazing.
On this same trip, we were also able to get him out on the lake for a boat ride.
Best picture ever.
My girls love to do anything they can to get Jared excited.
With what little control he has of one arm, he loves to knock things down. He loves to watch my kids jump, dance, sing, and just be their silly selves. He loves to watch us jump, dance, sing and be silly too; and we do all of these things. : )
I feel so blessed that my kids have so much opportunity to put someone else before themselves.
This is my little Lila trying to help lift him into his bed. He thinks that’s pretty funny!
My amazing mom. Her and my dad go above and beyond to give Jared as
much opportunity as they can. They are truly saints.
A four wheeler ride with my sister Meckenna and Josh.
Look at Jared just smile as my Josh and my dad help him get comfortable.
All my siblings: Josh, Jared, me and Meckenna.
Most recent family picture, last summer at Meckenna’s wedding.
From Jared I have learned forgiveness, joy, patience, endurance, and true charity. He teaches everyone who meets him, people are drawn to him, his life has been devoted to blessing others and helping us see the good.
I love him.
My hope is that by ‘meeting’ Jared, you’ll feel uplifted.
That we will all be motivated to serve people around us, to put others needs before our own and reap the joy. That we will all try a little harder to be more optimistic. And that we’ll be slower to judge, and quicker to love.
I’ve got to share this quote that represents Jared so well.
Let’s choose to be happy!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for allowing us a little peek into Jared’s life. People are so quick to judge someone on appearences and do not know what they are missing by not getting to know someone who is different than them. I took care of people with intilectual disabilities for 15 years.
Oh my gosh thank you so much for posting this. Im a friend of josh and saras btw. It was so very uplifting, humbling, and inspiring. I want to be a better person just from briefly ‘meeting’ Jared. Thank you, Jared!!
Thank you so much sillygirl! Wishing you a very wonderful holiday season too!
Love your blog, especially today! Jared sounds like a terrific person to know and he is so very lucky to have you!
Have a wonderful holiday season!