Jean Woodlyn

Sweet Jean Woodlyn. Thursday at 2:00pm, I received a phone call from Jean Woodlyn’s mother. Through the sobs and broken words, we realized that Jean Woodlyn had passed away. As tears filled my eyes, I quickly became speechless. My heart broke into pieces as I listened to his precious mom sobbing…nothing dramatic, just true sobs of extreme pain from losing her beloved son.

Jean Woodlyn first came to Respire the week of Karnaval in February 2016. Everything was closed that week; however Belo and myself were at the clinic catching up on work. I remember Belo coming into the therapy room asking me to come meet with him and Jean Woodlyn’s mother. She was carrying her son ever so gracefully even though he was extremely difficult to carry. As she sat down, she placed Jean Woodlyn onto her lap; however he had to be placed on his stomach as his body was in a “U” shape due to severe spasticity. It was immediately evident that he was in extreme pain and discomfort. It was also evident that his mom, who loved him deeply, was at a loss as to how to help him. She was tired. She was hopeless. She was sad. I immediately worked with him completing an evaluation and gave appointments for future therapy sessions. His mom brought him every week, twice a week for therapy sessions. They live pretty far away from Respire; however they rarely missed a session over the last 2.5 years. Mom was also an active participant in the parent support group. She experienced a roller coaster of emotions and struggles over the past couple of years; however she always was an amazing advocate for Woodlyn. Something she would always tell other parents is “you need to be proud of your child. God gave you your child and you need to be proud”. And that she was…she was so proud of Jean Woodlyn.

Jean Woodlyn had a special bond with his mom. He was non-verbal, but she ALWAYS knew what he needed and wanted by his facial expressions and noises he would make. If he was upset, she was able to calm him simply by whispering into his ear. She knew when he was hungry. She knew when he was thirsty. She knew when he was in pain. She knew when he was happy. Nothing made him smile more than when he saw his mom.

Woodlyn will be dearly missed. Every Monday and Wednesday will feel a little different without his mom bringing him to therapy. But we are blessed to have hope in Jesus and in heaven. Through the heartache, I find myself smiling. Smiling because Jean Woodlyn is no longer in pain. He is now able to stand tall and run around and talk. I picture him flashing his award-winning smile as he is running and laughing. Jesus called him home for reasons we may never know. For now, I will find peace in knowing he is now completely healed forever.

Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”