Hope

This story comes to you in a different format. This is raw, real, and powerful just the way it is written…from a mother. As a matter of fact, one of the most inspiring mothers I have ever met. One who makes me a better person. One who pushes me to be grateful, to appreciate the little things, and most of all, to have hope. When I received this message from her with the nomination of her daughter, I knew this was such a beautiful gift to share with all of you, because knowing them has been one of the most meaningful contributions to my own life. For the purpose of the showcase, I will call her daughter “Hope” in order for her to remain anonymous.

So here I am at 11:57 pm

December 13th 2020

And just saw your inspiring positive – quite impactful plea for phenomenal women…

I want to share with you the phenomenal woman in my life and that would be my daughter. At the age of 13 she started having not so good days, that turned into not so good weeks which turned into not such great years.

This time period created an amazing amount of trauma, fear and pure sadness. My daughter who loved dance, track, swimming, and nature slowly but steadily ended up having to have a wheelchair as her main transportation.

Each day we would start with our usual, “this isn’t forever this is just for now” positive affirmation but as each day got a little more tiring that phrase was a little more less believable.

On those most difficult and challenging days when seizures and episodes became an every day it was almost a dare for my girl…she would inwardly say “nope, you can’t do this and you won’t do this…I am not ok with this”, and each day she battled an internal war with all her might – fighting the POTS – she tirelessly taught us all about tenacity, endurance, strength, courage and the ability to dream…

December 2019 she didn’t need the wheelchair anymore and she followed onward to uncharted territory and followed her dreams and is now living an incredible adventure (still fighting the battles but of course with flare and gumption) but nonetheless following her dreams to go to a place that transforms her everyday and makes my heart burst with incredible emotion and love.

To think that this mother and daughter never gave up the fight, never surrendered even when it felt like there was no other option. They let other people in to help them when they needed it the most. To cry unbelievable tears, to laugh like you didn’t know if you would ever laugh again. To move beyond the POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome) and create the life you know you deserve and follow your dreams. It is unthinkable for a young teenager to go through this during those particularly crucial years of development and becoming a woman, socializing, education and preparing for her future. She did it with such grace and determination, and it was worth it. Every moment. She can spread her wings now. She can feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair…she is remarkable. She is HOPE.

Words of wisdom and empowerment from Hope:

I asked Hope what she feels has been the most valuable lesson she has learned in 2020, and this is what she had to share.

“The most valuable thing 2020 has taught me is to take risks and enjoy the moment, because you never know what can happen in a blink of an eye.” 

I asked Hope to share her message of strength and empowerment for other women to start 2021 with a positive mindset, and this is her inspiring response.

“My message to other woman is to be true to themselves and never mistrust or underestimate the strength you have. If you have a dream, even if it seems impossible, go for it! Do whatever you can to make it one step further to possible.”

WOW! What an incredible honour to hear from Hope’s mother and share this message with you. To think about what makes her so phenomenal already and she’s in her early 20’s now, can you imagine what is still to come for her? The possibilities are endless! Thank you for reading Hope’s story, and let’s keep supporting and empowering each other as we continue our journey to live our best life!

HOPE YOU ARE PHENOMENAL!!!