Many people reach out to ask me about Hasya’s health and growth over the past three years. Even doctors and dietitians are astounded at how healthy she has been and how well she has done. In light of her recent scoliosis news, it’s truly miraculous that we have gotten her through four winters without one single bout of pneumonia. Only God! I am constantly sharing with people what we do, the supplements we use, and how we keep our young lady healthy.
Considering that she couldn’t even hold her head up or sit in a wheelchair for more than a few minutes at a time, I never imagined that we would see the day that Hasya would stand in a supine stander. Last month, it happened.
As some of you may remember, a few years back I joined a direct sales company because we had seen Hasya experience some benefits from their products. I ended up leaving that company. That season put me on a quest to find the best possible nutrition that we could provide Haz. I would stand in the health stores for ages reading labels, comparing ingredients, researching a gazillion supplements to try and find the cleanest, healthiest food to feed her growing bones and body. Around the same time, we discovered that Hailee was highly gluten intolerant and had plateaued in her growth at eight years of age. She only weighed about 35 pounds. I became a mom on a mission to find the best nutrition available to feed my children who desperately needed to grow.
We tried many things. I would receive samples in the mail from different companies, and we would try them for a while. With her fragile immune system and delicate digestive system, I struggled to find the right thing for Hasya. Diarrhea, constipation, skin rashes…I just couldn’t find anything that would make her thrive.
One day, while back at my computer once again researching, I stumbled upon a company that I had never heard of. I read the reviews, scrutinized the labels on their products, and watched every Youtube video I could find. I loved what I was reading. The founder of the company openly professed his faith in Jesus Christ (even on his bio on the company website). His business practices seemed to be all about honoring the Lord, walking in integrity, and caring for people. Along with a clean, quality product (as a soon-to-graduate health coach, I’m picky about what I feed my family), integrity and humility are super important to me.
Impressed by what I was reading, I tried a few of the products on myself first, and then on my daughters and family. Where most protein shakes contain labels with tons of ingredients (most which cannot even be pronounced), this shake contained just seven. Seven! And I could pronounce every one. Bonus! They later came out with a vegan option onto which we switched Hasya. I wanted to give her more than just whey protein (which is wonderful for most people, but I felt like Hasya needed more than just that). I wanted to add more fruits, veggies, superfoods and antioxidants into her diet. The vegan shake provided her body with all that.
And so began a new journey toward getting Haz healthy and stronger. We fell in love with the products. Hasya’s hair began to grow again and her skin glowed. Everywhere we went people commented on how radiant she was looking.
It’s taken a little over three years for our young lady to more than double in weight. She is finally wearing size 6/7 clothes. For her, that’s huge! She spends most of her days either sitting in her wheelchair or in her standing frame. Gone are the days when all she could do was lay down. Hasya goes where we go. When I run errands, she goes with me. When we go out as a family, she is never left behind. Though she is almost completely blind, she loves being close to us. Touch is everything. If anyone had asked me three years if this is what her life would look like, I would most probably have said no. My wavering faith.
Our beautiful Bulgarians. Thriving.
Four years ago, while paper chasing for these two angels, my biggest fear was whether I would have the knowledge to get Hasya to a place of health. Weighing just 14 pounds at 14 years old, I wondered how in the world we would ever get her to a place of wellness and vitality. When I held her tiny body in my arms on that day in 2012, I was a whole lot scared of what was to come. Everything felt uncertain. Would I fail? Would I even know what to do?
It’s been such an incredible journey for me. I have learned more than I could ever have dreamed of learning about wellness, what we feed our bodies, and trusting the Lord to lead and guide me in all these things. Going back to school to learn more about nutrition, wellness and helping my children to become strong and healthy has been such a wonderful journey.
I am so thankful for a Father in heaven who equips us, leads us, and always makes a way.
He has been faithful.
