Some stories are best told in the words of the one who lived them. Here is “Being Brave” — H’s Story in His Own Words.
It’s been almost eight years since the day H’s world changed—and ours along with it. So much of that journey has been shared through my perspective as his mom, advocate, and witness to both pain and miracles. But today, H is ready to share a little piece of his own story. In his words. As he remembers it.
He’s still just a kid. He’s still healing. But he’s brave enough to look back—and kind enough to want others to understand.
So, with his permission, here is H’s story… told from his own heart.
Q: What’s your very first memory of when your body felt different or something felt “off”?
H: I woke up from my nap and when I did, I was shaking and I couldn’t walk.
Q: Do you remember how you felt when you couldn’t walk or when your legs were shaking?
H: I don’t remember. Now, I feel sad when my legs are shaking and my hands are shaking. I am sad because everyone at school asks me why I am shaking.
Q: What do you remember about being in the hospital? Was there a moment that scared you? One that made you feel brave?
H: I remember that it was a big room and there were doctors in there and I was in a bed. The moment that scared me was when I got the tube in my neck. That scared me because, at the end, when they took it out, I puked everywhere. Then I was crying. I remember being in the air watching me and mom, I was laying in mom’s arms and she was telling me to wake up. I felt brave when I came back to my mom that day. I was also brave in all of my appointments.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
— Joshua 1:9
Q: What was the hardest part of being sick?
H: The hardest part was when I was shaking a lot, I couldn’t even feed myself and I had to be in a wheelchair and I did not like it because I could not walk.
Q: Can you think of someone who helped you feel safe back then? What did they do or say?
H: Mom made me feel safe. She said that she would stay by my side.
Q: What was your favorite thing someone brought you or did for you when you were hurting?
H: My favorite thing that people brought me were toys and people just being nice to me.
Q: How did it feel to not be able to walk when you wanted to?
H: It felt really mad because I just wanted to walk anywhere and I didn’t have the power to do that anymore because my legs didn’t work.
Q: Were you ever mad or confused? What do you wish people had understood about how you felt?
H: Yes, because I didn’t know why I was shaking and I was mad because I couldn’t walk. I wish people understood what it was like being in the doctors all the time and the feeling of not being able to walk.
Q: What does the word “healing” mean to you?
H: It means that Jesus gave me the strength to walk again.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
— Psalm 147:3
Q: If your body could talk back then, what would it have said?
H: It would have said, “I don’t feel good.”
Q: Do you think people understand how hard it was—or do they forget?
H: I think people have forgotten how bad I felt. When some people go through a lot of things, sometimes they don’t remember.
Q: If someone else was going through something hard like you did, what would you want to tell them?
H: I would tell them to be brave because one day, it will all be over.
Q: If your story were in a book, what would the title be?
H: “Being Brave”
Q: What’s one thing about your journey you want to never forget?
H: One thing I don’t ever want to forget is how you stuck by me the entire time.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…”
— Psalm 23:4
Q: When you think about your future, what makes you excited?
H: It makes me excited that I don’t have to go through any of this anymore. It is all over and I don’t have to do it anymore.
Q: What are some things you can do now that make you proud?
H: I can walk, talk, and feed myself.
Q: Do you think your story could help someone else someday?
H: Yes because if they were going through hard and difficult things, I can help them understand because I went through the same thing.
Q: What kind of person do you want to grow up to be?
H: I want to be a helper.
Q: How do you think God helped you through the hardest parts?
H: He helped me, just like you, He was there the whole entire time. I also learned that God always stays in the same spot, He never moves.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8
Q: If your story were a superhero movie, what would your superpower be?
H: It would be helping.
Q: Can you describe what your legs used to feel like—and then what they feel like now?
H: They used to feel terrible and they hurt a lot. Now, they are much better but they still hurt a little when I stay on them for a long time. I have learned to not stay on them for long.
Q: What color would you give your feelings back then? What about now?
H: Back then, they would be pink (loved) because you were by my side and black (angry) because I hurt all the time and I shook. Now, they are yellow (happy) and pink (loved).
Q: What do you think helped you the most when you were hurting or scared?
H: You being by my side.
Extras from H
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Favorite songs from that time: “Sit at Your Feet” **This is what he said, the name of the song is
The More I Seek You** and “Shackles”
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Favorite food during recovery: Caesar salad
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What he wants people to know: “I want people to know what I’ve been through so they will understand why my hands shake and my legs hurt.”
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Final thought: “I’m glad that He was always there for me… and so were you.”
💛 The Heartbeat Moment
This is H’s story. His truth. His hope. And his faith in a God who never moved.
He may still have shaking hands and aching legs… but he also has a voice, a testimony, and a calling to help others through their hard things, because he’s lived through his own.
“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…”
— Psalm 107:2a
Thank you for listening to him. For seeing him. For remembering with us.
Because being brave doesn’t mean not being scared—it means standing tall even when your legs don’t work.
And H? He’s been brave since the beginning.
💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.
We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.
📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.
You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.
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