Faithfulness & Perseverance

It’s been 18 years since Kelly’s tragic jeep accident leaving him quadriplegic paralyzed from the chest down and has been an amazing journey! After falling in love & getting married at a young age, having 2 daughters and buying our first home…we were just getting our lives started together when Kelly had his accident. Our lives were completely turned upside down. Nothing was the same. I was just 22 years old, Kelly 27, and our girls 3 and 5. It was so traumatic, horrific and so heart wrenching not knowing if Kelly was going to live or die or what each day would bring! It was all so foreign. We just wanted our normal life back the way it was. Anything we had faced as a young couple was all so trivial compared to this!

Now after 18 years of taking care of Kelly as his only caregiver every day and night, it has taught me many things in life. But having to endure so much, it’s mostly taught me faithfulness and perseverance! God spoke to me at such a young age. I clung to the verse “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. God has been faithful to provide all of our needs as we have trusted in Him and as we’ve been faithful and persevered! The staff at the Hospital and Rehab Center told me I couldn’t bring Kelly home, that I wouldn’t be able to take care of him and that I wouldn’t even make it through the first weekend. My Father as well told me not to bring Kelly home, that it’s too hard of a road for me. As others told me I couldn’t and shouldn’t, I was faithful and persevered.

I am filled with a passion to share our amazing journey of all we’ve been through and go through on a daily basis to help and encourage others! My hope for others is that when you are in the midst of a struggle – think about the big picture. I’ve had women complain to me about their husband’s lack of affection, laziness, loss of a job, etc…when Kelly can’t even hold my hand. So many times the things people complain about or get upset over in their marriage, or relationship, are so trivial compared to what I have endured and what I’m faced with each day. Our journey has been extremely hard, yet so beautiful! What helps me get through each day, is to look at the glass half full instead of half empty, be thankful for even the small things & count my blessings. This is my hope for you!

Corina

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