The surprise ‘angel intervention’ linking SMA, Helene, and football
Connections are newly apparent in the wake of a natural disaster
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t always know what I’ll cover in this column when the time comes. It sure eases the anxiety level when I have a clue, though.
Our SMA assignment with our third baby, Jeffrey, led me to appreciate “angel intervention” in all facets of life, including the column. A tiny blue feather sparked one column, while a new addition to our columnists’ group influenced another. The discovery of another columnist’s heartbreaking ties to Hurricane Helene’s wrath here in North Carolina enabled me to share her story.
Helene’s impact on this column continues. Much about the monster storm here has revived reactions from our SMA journey almost 28 years ago, including stress, optimism, gratitude, and survivor’s guilt. A video I watched the other night documented one man’s determination to help fellow victims muddle through (or bypass) red tape and return to their repaired houses after months of existing in survival mode.
Lo and behold, angel intervention struck.
Putting together the pieces of serendipity
My husband, Randy, and I left our native Fort Worth, Texas, in the mid-’80s for Columbia, South Carolina. Randy coached high school football, and I taught kindergarteners with orthopedic and multiple handicapping conditions. We moved again twice, ending up in the North Carolina mountains (Ashe County) on the last day of 1995. A newsworthy blizzard days later welcomed us memorably to our new way of life; it also symbolized a couple of upcoming life-altering circumstances.
Randy began a new head coaching assignment in a neighboring county in the summer of 1996. As he was hired to “clean up the program,” we expected some turmoil and weren’t disappointed. Neither of us, however, expected the surprise news that we were having a baby! “Baby B” would join our other two children, Matthew and Katie.
The pregnancy served as a distraction of sorts for a uniquely difficult coaching situation. As was typical in Randy’s previous (and subsequent) coaching jobs, some of the football parents stepped up quickly with support and friendship.
Near the end of the school year, the school board voted not to renew Randy’s contract. They gave no reason, but we had to believe something good would come from the decision.
Meanwhile, baby Jeffrey’s arrival in the middle of May overshadowed concerns about the job loss. Our bonus baby was beautiful! His abdominal breathing bothered Randy, but the medical folks assured us he was fine. Jeffrey was better than fine in most ways! He was patient, agreeable, and content.
He wasn’t fine in all ways, though. At 2 months of age, Jeffrey was diagnosed with SMA. We understood then why Randy had been removed from his coaching job: to be available during whatever time we had with Jeffrey. It was less than 6 months.
‘You hold that cross, and hold it tight’
Images of catastrophic destruction from Hurricane Helene’s savage September strike on a substantial chunk of North Carolina remain fresh and plentiful. While it’s impossible to ignore the continued despair and growing frustration of those affected, I prefer highlighting the good stemming from it. There has been much.
Late Saturday, I watched a documentary centered around the Mountain City, Tennessee, area — just across from Ashe County and the North Carolina border. It was an uplifting account of primarily one man, Bill Gore. There’s no shortage of material; I was sorry when it ended.
Two quotes from Bill, a staunch Christian, stood out:
1. To one family he was helping: “You hold that cross, and hold it tight.”
Boy, did we learn to hold on tight to that cross after Jeffrey’s diagnosis, during our brief active SMA duty, and after his death. We knew that if we didn’t, we’d crumble.
2. To the videographer about all the supplies that “happen” to appear as they’re needed: “That’s what he does. He provides the things that we are unable to provide for ourselves.”
Through SMA, God provided a perfect opportunity for us to put prayer and faith to work — something we couldn’t have fully grasped otherwise. He kept us upright during the grueling trials of Jeffrey’s brief life. What a relief it was when I managed to hand it over to God, displacing my self-imposed belief that keeping Jeffrey safe was solely our responsibility.
Angel intervention for others
The focus of this featured documentary was on Bill’s tireless efforts as an assessor to help bring some normalcy back to the lives of those who’d lost so much. The credits included an acknowledgement to Bill’s wife, Cindy, as well.
I then realized they were football parents who’d befriended Randy and me during Randy’s coaching job before Jeffrey was born!
I messaged Cindy through Facebook. She responded that Bill had had a stroke two weeks before Helene, but that by God’s grace, he’d recovered enough to contribute significantly to the recovery efforts.
Whether it’s called “God’s grace” or “angel intervention,” I’m not sure what — or if — any of us would do without it.
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
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