As I listened to the stories of Victoria Arlen’s recovery and achievements at her celebration parade, I turned to my friend and said, “Who do you think drove her to swim practices an hour away?” Though Victoria was critically ill for several years, she will manage to graduate with her senior class this year. Who helped her get back on track academically? Who coordinated with the school and took Victoria to countless medical appointments? Who spent many hours on the phone dealing with insurance issues? Who made sure Victoria’s three brothers were also well loved and cared for? Who listened to doom and gloom messages from medical professionals, watched her daughter in a vegetative state and declared that she would make it out of this?
Before Victoria could encourage others to rock their abilities, her mom had to believe in her and fight for her.
I know this. You know this. Victoria knows this. So we celebrate Jaqueline Arlen as the second Super Hero I met this week.
No one makes this kind of amazing recovery alone. Certainly there must have been accomplished medical professionals, flexible and hard working teachers, wonderful therapists (3 cheers for PT and mobility!), a generous community, and a loving family to bring Victoria back. Jaqueline herself must have needed the strength of other’s support to have that fighting spirit to stay positive and committed to her daughter’s recovery.
This is the kind of village it takes to love a girl back to health; a girl who went from being a competitive swimmer to not being able to speak or walk to being a young lady with a four Olympic medals. And Jaqueline was at the head of it all.
Check out this telling video of just how much function Victoria lost and how much she gained: (subscribers may need to go directly to the blog)
Jaqueline the Super Hero has also agreed to a blog interview. This blog has been built on telling our stories and encouraging each other through some difficult trials. So, what questions do you have for Jaqueline? Remember, you can also ask questions of Victoria.
Where did her faith come from? How did she know V had such potential?
The video was amazing. That girl has an amazing heart and persistence, and is a hero to us all along with her family and friends. To smile no matter the circumstances – joy.
PS. Did I see a stander I there?
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