Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "The Person Within"Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
27 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Another fabulous chapter, Wendy. It's lovely reading how gradually his natural intelligence is showing, and how nice he loves music. Music helps so many people with mental problems, the specialists are learing this and using it now. Another excellent breakthrough!! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024
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Another fabulous chapter, Wendy. It's lovely reading how gradually his natural intelligence is showing, and how nice he loves music. Music helps so many people with mental problems, the specialists are learing this and using it now. Another excellent breakthrough!! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 11-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024
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Yes, music is working even with people with dementia who haven't spoken for months - they will sing along to a song from their past. It's incredibly therapeutic. Thank you again, Sandra. I am greatly appreciating your reviews.
Wendy
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for sharing this story. I believe everyone has a special gift, sometimes gifts. It sounds like Jonathan loves music. I have a good friend who has a son with special needs. I'm not sure of his diagnosis by doctors, but he is definitely challenged. Yet, he loves music, like Jonathan. Nick will sit in front of the stereo for hours, listening to his favorite songs. You and your husband (and Bella, Anna, and Joe, as well) will be rewarded someday for fostering a disabled child. I know it must be difficult.
This would have been a good entry for the True Story contest.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2024
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Hi Wendy,
Thanks for sharing this story. I believe everyone has a special gift, sometimes gifts. It sounds like Jonathan loves music. I have a good friend who has a son with special needs. I'm not sure of his diagnosis by doctors, but he is definitely challenged. Yet, he loves music, like Jonathan. Nick will sit in front of the stereo for hours, listening to his favorite songs. You and your husband (and Bella, Anna, and Joe, as well) will be rewarded someday for fostering a disabled child. I know it must be difficult.
This would have been a good entry for the True Story contest.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 01-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2024
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Thank you so much for your lovely review, and in particular for the six stars, which are greatly encouraging. I do appreciate your support a lot. It was rewarding, although difficult.
Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
I love that family picture! Your whole family was blessed to be a blessing to Jonathon and blessed because you had the eyes of love to pay attention to not only his physical needs but also able to see his unique gifts in music and his internal GPS! Wow!
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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I love that family picture! Your whole family was blessed to be a blessing to Jonathon and blessed because you had the eyes of love to pay attention to not only his physical needs but also able to see his unique gifts in music and his internal GPS! Wow!
Comment Written 31-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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Thank you very much Helen. Lovely review, very encouraging.
Wendy
Comment from BethShelby
It is amazing that you were able to understand his special kind of intelligence and not his many moods.I was surprised to know he biological father would pick him up and takeeee him to his grandparents. It makes me look at severely handicapped people in a differient light.
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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It is amazing that you were able to understand his special kind of intelligence and not his many moods.I was surprised to know he biological father would pick him up and takeeee him to his grandparents. It makes me look at severely handicapped people in a differient light.
Comment Written 31-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2024
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Thank you Beth. I'll write an update on both his parents very soon. He didn't come very often .... I always appreciate your time and reviews. I hope you will continue to enjoy.
Wendy
Comment from Navada
I connected strongly with this chapter, Wendy, because I am a musician. The stories of Jonathan responding emotionally to different genres of music and to his siblings' piano practice is lovely, and my favourite anecdote is his siblings propping him up between them so he could play the piano himself. How truly beautiful. xx
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2024
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I connected strongly with this chapter, Wendy, because I am a musician. The stories of Jonathan responding emotionally to different genres of music and to his siblings' piano practice is lovely, and my favourite anecdote is his siblings propping him up between them so he could play the piano himself. How truly beautiful. xx
Comment Written 31-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much for your lovely review. Paul mentioned an American Leslie Leske, a blind and mentally disabled man who was a savant in the musical area, a brilliant pianist, a fascinating story. The article mentioned "splinter" savants and I wondered if there was a little of this in Jonathan, just a fragment of that special gift. Many thanks too for the six stars - it is so encouraging to know people are still engaged with his story.
Wendy
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You are most welcome. There are so many things to love about Jonathan's journey with your family. :)
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
Your love sure shines through. With all my health problems, I could not do what you do. I wanted to but was told in no uncertain terms that I could not add any more stress to my life. I brought bears and books to care centers, and that had to do. I admire your choices and your strength. I wish you and yours the best. Karen (You got my last star)
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Your love sure shines through. With all my health problems, I could not do what you do. I wanted to but was told in no uncertain terms that I could not add any more stress to my life. I brought bears and books to care centers, and that had to do. I admire your choices and your strength. I wish you and yours the best. Karen (You got my last star)
Comment Written 30-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much for your most encouraging review, and for the greatly supportive review. I am no longer offering full-time care, but our life-journey together continues - and with plenty of dramas to come. Thank you again for your interest - I hope you'll continue reading.
Wendy
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Good icon picture. You smile with your whole face. Have a good week. Karen
Comment from Paul McFarland
Great job, Wendy. The part about the piano brought back to mind, Leslie Lemke. If you have not heard of him, you should check him out on Google.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Great job, Wendy. The part about the piano brought back to mind, Leslie Lemke. If you have not heard of him, you should check him out on Google.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Thank you Paul, for a wonderful review, and six stars! I'm so glad you are still reading and enjoying these stories. Thanks too for the info about Leslie Lemke, and the article I read also talked about savants and "splinter savants". This "splinter' skill is definitely what he had - extraordinary understanding and memory in a couple of very narrow areas. It was an amazing read! Gave me goosebumps. Thank gooodness his foster mother recognised that genius within him. One wonders how many other disabled people have similar abilities which go unrecognised. Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Music transports most of us, but it seems Jonathon is particularly atuned to the emotions of different music. Reading this it becomes obvious that there is so much within disabled people like Jonathon, and it takes special people to find it.
Well done to all of you,
valda
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Music transports most of us, but it seems Jonathon is particularly atuned to the emotions of different music. Reading this it becomes obvious that there is so much within disabled people like Jonathon, and it takes special people to find it.
Well done to all of you,
valda
Comment Written 29-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Thank you very much Valda. Yes, music is the key also for people with Alzheimer, interestingly. Some people join in singing songs they knew from prior times, yet have not spoken in months. Thanks again for a lovely review.
Wendy
Comment from LJbutterfly
This is a beautiful story of an entire family coming together to make the life of a special little boy joyful. I enjoyed your descriptions of how music affected Jonathan, especially when he was able to play his own keys on the piano. There were probably many times he must have been a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing this delightful story.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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This is a beautiful story of an entire family coming together to make the life of a special little boy joyful. I enjoyed your descriptions of how music affected Jonathan, especially when he was able to play his own keys on the piano. There were probably many times he must have been a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing this delightful story.
Comment Written 29-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Yes, he did bring joy, although many people couldn't understand that, and thought of him only as a burden. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and insightful review.
Wendy
Comment from patcelaw
My goodness what can I say if I had more than six stars to give you I would've given you 10 12, 20 I don't know but you are an amazing person to have done what you did with Jonathan it's just marvelous. My heart is very touched by your story. as you know, from reviews in the past, I had cousins who had never spent a day in school, and yet their faith was so strong and they understood about Jesus and his love for them. I am sure that there is a special place for you when you get to heaven , God bless you. Patricia.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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My goodness what can I say if I had more than six stars to give you I would've given you 10 12, 20 I don't know but you are an amazing person to have done what you did with Jonathan it's just marvelous. My heart is very touched by your story. as you know, from reviews in the past, I had cousins who had never spent a day in school, and yet their faith was so strong and they understood about Jesus and his love for them. I am sure that there is a special place for you when you get to heaven , God bless you. Patricia.
Comment Written 29-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much Patricia! The six stars are a huge encouragement and validation for my writing. Jonathan too knew about Jesus - his eyes would shine when I talked to him about Him. It's the work of the Holy Spirit with his spirit, and one doesn't need to be academic to understand spiritual matters. Thanks again.
Wendy