A Burden to Blessing: Kelly’s Chronic Pain and a New Blessing

Kelly not only has endured quadriplegia for the last 18 years after breaking his neck in a horrific jeep accident, but he has also had to live with chronic, severe pain every day and night. His excruciating constant pain has taken such a toll & has been a hindrance on our lives.

After being seen by numerous doctors, specialists and even referred to Craig Hospital, a leading facility for Spinal Cord Injury, without any help from any of them …we finally pursued Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix AZ. We were referred by a specialist, but unfortunately were once again at a standstill, Barrow referred him elsewhere after not accepting the referral.

After persistent prayer & perseverance, we called Barrow ourselves and got an appointment scheduled…finally after almost 18 years! Kelly was seen by two different Neurosurgeons and the ending result was not what he had his hopes up for. There was little to nothing that could be done, and what could be done comes with extreme risks. Kelly didn’t have any peace with getting the procedure done. Let alone, with getting nothing done. He once again was faced head on with his constant, chronic pain with no end in sight.

BUT…God opened different doors for us. The silver lining in this journey is that we had only been down to Phoenix a handful of times the whole 17 years we had lived just 2 hours north. Now because of the few trips to Barrow and breaking down 5 times costing upwards of $2,500 from May to August 2015, doors were opened to visit VMI (one of the main van conversion factories & dealerships in the nation) one day while in Phoenix for an appointment.

We have driven the same converted van for 18 years and we hadn’t even been planning on buying a new van, it just wasn’t in the works. We knew we needed one but we didn’t think it was possible. God made it possible! He opened every door needed for us to purchase a new van…and it just so happened on Corina’s Birthday.

Then the van was converted and we were recently blessed to bring it home! We give God all the Glory for opening all the right doors at just the right time. We feel that the last several years of not getting into Barrow happened because God knew the right time for us to travel to Phoenix and wander into VMI. God knew that the doctors did not have good news for Kelly’s pain but He also knew He’d make the way for this blessing of a new van.

This all happened just as we began expanding our outreach in the community and have been asked to speak at different events. We can now travel to Flagstaff, Phoenix and beyond to tell our story and encourage others that they too can turn their burdens into blessings & their pain into purpose!

Many days we feel tormented & tortured by our burdens and pains. We persevere each day knowing that God promises that “Joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Although our circumstances are rarely “fixed”, God blesses us in different ways. We encourage you to be on the lookout for God’s blessings in your life. Whether big or small, these blessings are enough to press on through your daily struggle. Know that with God’s love, you can do all things!

Love, The Taylors

Similar Articles: Experiences, Inspiration