A Mother's Love

As I've mentioned several times on my blog that I love to visit the Millry State Lake for peaceful writing time, yesterday was no exception and exactly what I needed to wind down from a busy, yet fun and eventful week. With just a few fishermen casting their lines from the shoreline, I sat at my favorite table beneath the pavilion and tossed around ideas for this Mother's Day post. After a flip through the pages of my proposal for T.J.'s story, The Human Candidate, a portion from the middle section jumped out at me and ultimately became the focus for this special post.

The photo below is a snapshot of one of my dearest friends, Anita McDonald and her family on summer vacation last year. Anita is the mother to Alyssa, age 5; Tucker age 16; and T.J. age 21. She is the wife to Carey McDonald and is the most selfless person I have ever met.


Before I share Anita's experience, I would like to say this post is dedicated to all of you mothers out there who have stood by and watched as your child has suffered from a disease or an injury. You, too, are my hero, and I admire your strength and determination to make life easier for these special kids.

An account from the day that changed Anita's life forever: September 25, 2010:

After meeting with doctors from the University of South Alabama Medical Center and learning her oldest son was completely paralyzed from the chest down, Anita took the elevator down three levels to the waiting area of the hospital in order to mentally process the upsetting news. With tears streaking down her cheeks, memories of the twenty-one years spent raising her son drifted in and out of her mind.

She was angry at first but eventually realized life would go on regardless if her son could walk or not. T.J. was the same person on the inside, and that was all that mattered to her.

A few minutes later, she returned to the elevator to break the devastating news to her father. Indeed, this was an announcement she did not want to make, but with all the other family members falling apart at the seams, this was something she had to do.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a young man in a wheelchair stuck his hand inside. Anita took a deep breath and watched him push himself inside the elevator. Trying her best to contain her emotions, she was unable to hold back the warm tears that filled her eyes. As if time stood still, she envisioned her son trying to go about his daily life in a wheelchair. It was a thought she could not imagine.

Anita swallowed hard once again and was able to regain her thoughts. Somehow the tears went away. Realizing this moment was no coincidence at all, she took advantage of being alone with the young man in the elevator. In almost a soft whisper, she tapped him on the shoulder and asked what led to his paralysis. He turned his head with a warm smile across his face and replied that he, too, was involved in a car accident, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.

Anita explained T.J.’s situation and revealed the diagnosis her son had received. The young man detected the concern in her eyes, so he did his best to calm her fears by stating that many years back, he was also given the same diagnosis: doctors said he would never walk again. But with much enthusiasm, he assured Anita that he could stand and walk with assistance now. "Tell your son not to give up! Miracles happen every day,” he said to her, and in that moment she made a promise to remain hopeful and optimistic that her son would walk again. When the elevator doors opened on the third floor, Anita ran toward her husband and family with a smile on her face and a new outlook on her son’s diagnosis.

This moment led to Anita's decision to research rehabilitation centers across the United States, and ultimately began the week long process of transferring T.J. to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

More snippets of T.J.'s story to come in the following weeks, but for now, I leave with a quote from Julie B. Beck that was posted on the overhead during church today:

"Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities."

Wishing a blessed and happy Mother's Day to all the women out there who give so selflessly to their children and family. Much love, Tory

Easter 2011

The kiddos and I enjoying our Easter Sunday together - Tory, Courtney, Catie, Carlie and Conner


Courtney and me


Courtney, me and Mom posing for a few pics...


Catie and me


The cutest twinkies in the world - Carlie and Conner


Gram with a few of her grands...

I hope you all had a blessed and happy Easter surrounded by those you love most! Love, Tory

Away we go...

I must confess, it's relatively rare these days that I sit at my computer and wonder what I'm going to type. Hah! If only my fingertips could move as fast as the thoughts in my head. Indeed, the impact of TJ's story weighs heavy on my mind, pressing my heart with each word that he shares during our interviews.


Usually there is plenty of time for laughter...he makes certain of this!





The struggles TJ has faced, the obstacles he has overcome, yet through it all a smile has remained on his face. He is one of the sweetest, most heartfelt 21-year-olds I've ever known; so poised and confident that everything happens for a reason. As the mother of a six-year-old little boy named Conner, I pray each day that my son will look to TJ as a role model and follow his example of dealing with the uncertainties of life in a positive manner.

I admire TJ the most because he is willing to put himself out there for all to judge with a keen eye, even sacrificing his privacy in order to help millions who are suffering and in pain. He believes that for every disabled person he inspires, his efforts are well worth every minute spent.

This privilege I have been given to write TJ's story is an enormous responsibility - one that I do not and will not take lightly under any circumstance. He is one that can, and will, inspire many people; and I will do my best to convey his story while respecting those who have given him the opportunity to move forward with his life.

Now, before I sign off for the night, I promised on March 23rd that a special event would take place today. So...



for those whose names are listed below, please shoot me an email at toryminus@yahoo.com , and I'll reply with the necessary information for you to receive your T'shirt and poster that was donated by TJ's family members and friends.

Tameka Harpole
Julie Musil
Jan
Rhonda Renee
Christy Middleton
Emily Feely
Emily Martin
Kevin
Bud Ranta
sasF79


Most importantly, I wish to say THANKS to all who have supported this project and prayed for TJ a full recovery. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Love, Tory

ONE BIG TEAM!

"We are sorry to inform you that your project is not a match for us at this time." It's the sentence that every writer dreads to receive in their inbox. Yet, unfortunately, this happens all too often to newbie writers before they are successful in gaining literary representation for their projects.

From the first query letters I sent out for The Human Candidate, I realized that finding a literary agent was not going to be simple. There had to be a substantial amount of research performed and a polished proposal to support my qualifications for being the perfect person to write this incredible story. So, instead of allowing self doubt to get the best of me, I rolled up my sleeves and went to work!

Now some of you following this blog may wonder why TJ chose me to write his story in the first place. Well, I hope that in the near future you will have the opportunity to shake this young man's hand and ask him this and other questions for yourself. But for now, I'll do my best to provide you an answer.

From the moment I stood by TJ's bedside in Atlanta, I knew from the look in his eyes and the calmness in his voice that he chose me for a reason. TJ knew that I was willing to go the extra mile without compromising the respect and dedication of those who had worked tirelessly to help him and his family. He knew that I would adhere to his wishes regardless the outcome or the pressure from others to reveal more than I should.

TJ and I relate to one another's pain and sufferings in life and understand when the other says, "Sometimes you just have to make the best of a bad situation and find a way to move forward!" We get that disease and injury spares no family...it's not a question of "If" but "When" a close family member, neighbor, classmate, or co-worker is diagnosed with a chronic illness or becomes injured as a result of an accident. We understand that life is worth living and worth helping as many people along the way.

For TJ and his family, it is such an honor to take part in this remarkable journey, and I am forever grateful for the confidence they have found in me. Above all, I thank God for giving TJ and me strength to persevere, and our families and friends for supporting our efforts to bring this story to life.

Much love, everyone, and have a wonderful weekend! ~ Tory

The Human Candidate: TJ's Account of Hope and Courage

A series of posts re: The Human Candidate...

It's so hard to know if this is the right way to do this, but holding back any longer will only make T.J. and I go stir crazy! I am going to spare you the rabbit chase and pretend as if I am speaking to one of my closest friends. In other words, you are getting raw, unfiltered honesty, which in my opinion is the best way to deliver an important announcement. Okay, everyone...this is the secret project I've been working on since November 2010!

Almost six months ago, my mom called shortly before 8 o'clock on a Saturday morning to tell me that a close family friend named Timothy (or T.J. as most refer to him) was involved in a terrible automobile accident. Mom could barely get the words out. T.J. had suffered a severe injury to his spinal cord and was being air-ambulanced to a regional medical center some 60 miles away.

I had known and loved T.J.'s family for a very long time, which made the news of his accident extremely difficult to process in my mind. His mother Anita was one of my best friends and had raised my four children along with three nephews at her daycare in Chatom. Indeed, this family was special - some of the sweetest and most generous folks in the world. I could only imagine how terrified Anita felt. She and T.J. were extremely close; she would be devastated if he took a turn for the worse.

After being airlifted to a regional medical facility in south Alabama, twenty-one-year-old T.J. underwent extensive surgery for injuries suffered to his spinal cord. Despite the meticulous care he was given, he never regained movement or sensation below his chest. But typical T.J., he never gave up hope that one day he would walk again. Upon his request, his parents made contact with the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and within twenty-four hours he was transferred to the renowned treatment and rehabilitation facility.

Based on many factors surrounding T.J.’s condition, doctors determined he was the perfect candidate for a clinical trial using GRNOPC1, a drug containing embryonic stem cells and designed to regenerate damaged spinal cord tissue. Therefore, on October 8, 2010, T.J. agreed to participate in a clinical trial procedure (the first of its kind) in which doctors injected the injured area of his spinal cord with over two-million embryonic stem cells.

Please take a moment to watch this video from ABC:

Geron Corp. Begins First Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment on Patient for Spinal Cord Injuries - ABC News

After months of researching, interviewing, and planning the best way to announce this super-secret project, T.J. and I have determined it is best to begin this journey slowly, as we are hopeful some of you out there reading this will support our efforts to bringing The Human Candidate to life. Anyone interested in learning more about this project may contact me through email or leave a comment below. I assure you, you will receive a response!!!

In closing, I would like to encourage all of you to support T.J. by leaving a few words of encouragement in the comment section below. On April 8th, 2011, T.J. will draw 10 special winners from those who have commented - winners will receive an autographed poster and T'shirt w/ T.J.'s logo on the front pocket. Stay tuned to Head in the Clouds as more details of this drawing will be posted in the following days.

Most importantly, your prayers for T.J. for a full recovery is abundantly appreciated. Have a great Friday, everyone! Love, Tory

Decide what to be and go be it!

Yesterday after work I made a dashing trip to Mobile in order to purchase decorations and presents for the kiddo's b'day party this weekend. With Mardi Gras festivities taking place in downtown Mobile, I feared most party supply stores would be overflowing with enthusiastic parade-goers and such. To much surprise, however, I was able to zig-zag through traffic, find a great parking spot at Party City, and mark everything off my list in less than thirty-minutes.

So with extra time on my hands, I phoned the BFF's that live in Mobile, Dana and Tarah, and asked if they could join me for a few hours of shopping. Unfortunately, Dana was committed to parental-duties for the night, but Tarah was available to meet. Because it had been over a month since seeing her last, I was thrilled she had not made plans for the evening.

After traumatizing the crowd with our squealing embrace, Tarah and I decided to grab a bite to eat at Chick-fil-A before hittin' the shops. As I scanned the menu (They have the best fries in the world, right?), Tarah reached inside her purse and pulled out an Avett Brothers CD. "This is for you," she said with a sheepish grin on her face. "The best songs are #3 and #5!" This was such a nice surprise as music has always been one of my favorite gifts/happies.

Tarah knows me well! I listened to the CD on my drive home to Millry and quickly fell in love with #3 and #5. I didn't expect the lyrics to stir emotions the way they did, but just as the written word, I was able to step out of the chaos of daily life and reconnect with that which is simple and tranquil. Though the video below doesn't reflect my interpretation of the lyrics, I wanted to share #3 from the CD: Head full of doubt/Road full of promise. My favorite line - Decide what to be and go be it! Have a great weekend, everyone! Love, Tory

Endurance and Faith

For the past few days, I've tossed around ideas for this post, from adventure stories of the amazing kiddos, to an update on the dayjob (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE), but I quickly realized this post should not be about me at all, it should be about someone else.

Now, some of you are probably thinking, "Uh, oh! Where's she going with this post?" Hah! I assure you, my goal is to be uplifting and enthusiastic for what's to come in the near future to readers across America and abroad (our neighbors across the pond have shown great interest in the topic as well). This is the first in a series of posts that will shed light on a project I have been working on since November 2010, an account of hope and courage, as well as a story of selfless determination to help millions across the globe.

My intentions are not to tease you with sketchy details or to dramatize the significance of the story, but to pique your interest so you will not feel uninformed when the time arrives to reveal all details about this amazing project. You all have been so supportive and encouraging of my writing, and I do not want you to feel short-changed in any way.

Most importantly, you should know that the subject of this story is a true hero, a young person who has made a courageous choice to help you and me, and millions of other people worldwide. It is his prayer that many will benefit from the fruit of his efforts. Indeed, he is a testament of endurance and faith.

In closing, I would like to say that it has been an honor to know this young man, and it is my privilege to convey his story to you.

Have a great weekend, everyone! ~ Tory