The Gift of Unconditional Love at Family Retreat
Mike and April’s son Wolfheart (Wolfie) was two years old when his sister, Helena, was born.
Soon after Helena’s birth, the doctor appointments began because she wasn’t gaining weight and seemed to lack strength in her body.
“We saw every specialist under the sun, and no one had answers,” recalls April.
Helena started having frequent seizures at age three. Genetic testing showed a rare mutation, which only two other girls in the world were diagnosed with. Helena had uncontrollable seizures, both physical and cognitive disabilities, and was non-verbal. She required 24/7 care. Mike and April were devastated.
As April says: “I have a very special connection to Helena. I’ve seen her suffering. I am the one who holds her during the hard times. I am ‘her person.’ There is a lot of love in that, but it’s also overwhelming because I am the one always caring for her.”
Caring for Helena leaves little time to be a mom to Wolfie and a wife to Mike. In 2020, the family registered for their very first Joni and Friends Family Retreat, for the respite and time off it offered. Unfortunately the retreat was canceled due to the Covid-19 lockdowns.
In May of 2021, the couple welcomed baby Haskell into their family. Two days later, hardship continued when what was thought to be a clogged milk duct turned out to be breast cancer.
“I was recovering from a C-section, Helena needed me, Wolfie [nine years old at the time] needed me, my baby needed me.” April grew worried, especially about Helena.
She wondered: “Who is going to take care of Helena if I die? I am ‘her person.’”
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation followed for April. But in the summer—despite many obstacles—they made it to Family Retreat.
For April, going to Family Retreat felt like a victory.
As she said: “I wanted this so badly for my family but specifically for Wolfie. He had missed out on so much between COVID, Helena’s needs, and my medical needs.”
Family Retreat delivered everything that April and her family had hoped for. Here’s what they had to say:
“Family Retreat was beyond what we could have ever imagined.”
April
“This is like a dream! And I don’t want it to end. Will we ever go back again?”
Wolfie
“For the first time I can remember, I felt safe and comfortable to leave my children in the capable hands of our amazing volunteers. We were so lucky to have them. They were intentional about allowing each member of the family to get what we needed.”
April
“Everything we experienced at Family Retreat was a gift! It may not happen again for another 51 weeks, but we are so grateful for the love, encouragement, and joy we experienced at Family Retreat this year.”
Mike and April
For Mike and April, the unconditional love and care at Family Retreat were true gifts.
They had not attended worship and a teaching message uninterrupted since Helena was a baby—let alone had a date night! Now their family has found a local church and have new relationships and resources. They have hope for the future.
When you give to Joni and Friends Minnesota, you make it possible for families like Helena’s to find respite, restoration, and renewed faith.
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