A Survivors Message of Faith and Thanksgiving
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| Andrea Wright today as she shares her lessons in faith and thanksgiving. Photo: Urban News |
Andrea Wright is a young lady whose measure of faith was tested when she
experienced a life-changing event. Active and enterprising, she once
owned a small Florida business, Tropical Concrete of Volusia. After
learning of her grandmother’s terminal illness, she sold her concrete
business and, as a natural caregiver, moved home to Asheville, where she
cared for her grandmother until she passed.
Soon afterwards Andrea began working for Eagle-Market Streets
Development Corporation. Later, she landed a position with Mountain
BizWorks as their Resource Specialist and business developer — work she
loved because it allowed her to help the community and the people within
it.
That all came to an abrupt end when a medical incident left Andrea
totally paralyzed on the right side of her body for over two years,
unable to walk or care for herself. It’s a lesson in faith as Andrea
tells her story:
“My first thoughts were ‘This is it! Now is my moment to cross on over!’” recalls Andrea.
“I was in such excruciating pain during my medical crisis that I wanted
to just give up on life. My prognosis for recovering at that point was
very slim to none. I thought I wouldn’t be able to care for myself, I’d
have to depend on someone else to take care of me. Completely! Someone
to fix my food, feed me, take me to the bathroom, bathe me, put me to
bed, help me turn over in bed — among numerous other things.”
All the while she was thinking, “I was the caretaker, that’s what I do! I’m the one to help others!”
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| Andrea with her therapist, Travis Edwards, taking her first steps after her paralysis. Photo: Urban News |
She then remembered how her grandmother had been handicapped. “She was
the most faithful and resilient person I’ve ever known,” says Andrea.
“So I had to make a decision right then. Was I to give up on life, or
get better?” She made the decision that, as she puts it, “I can’t give
up. I can’t feel sorry for myself!”
Andrea discovered that she had that same fortitude and resilience as her
grandmother. Dwelling on words of faith, she battled to overcome the
odds that were stacked against her.
“I began to take torturous regimens of physical therapy — and started
seeing results. I had (and have!) a great support system of family,
friends, and a great team of doctors. They were always there. Then, the
depression set in, and oh, what a monster! I began to lose things that I
had worked hard to achieve — valued job, good credit, my car. My
brother Robert would call every day to make me laugh. My mother Devolia
and all my sisters and brothers would never leave me alone. Someone was
always there to hold my hand, and tell me how strong I am. Through it
all I never stopped smiling, because I had to believe in my measure of
faith — that I would get through this roadblock in my life!” recalls
Andrea.
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| Andrea excecises and walks at least one a day to keep physically fit. Photo: Urban News |
In order to get through this ordeal Andrea had to rethink the positives in her life.
“I know that God loves me. I have a wonderful family that took turns
caring for me. I even had family members who traveled from other states
to care for me. I have wonderful caring friends, and my pastor Odell
Suber stopped by; and other people called, or sent a card to say, ‘Hi.’ I
have great doctors and therapists who truly care.”
“So what is it that got me through this journey? On reflection, she
concludes, it was “Faith, love, courage, encouragement, and
thanksgiving. Who could ask for more?”
You would be surprised if you were to reflect, to see how soon the
entire world would perish if faith were to cease. Faith is the great
secret of our being, the underlying condition of our continued
existence. And who doesn’t know that we would never accomplish anything
useful without this effort?
All useful things would go undone if it were not for faith.
