Category: Brothers

Heroes 

by C.C. Hasty, posted in Blessed, Brothers, God Is Good, Heaven, Prayer, Wheelchair

Yesterday, we were finally able to meet the emergency response teams that helped save our boys lives on August 16, 2015. It was such a terrific experience for all of us. They took the time to clarify assumptions that we had such as we thought Jackson and Alex were the last to be airlifted to Vanderbilt when indeed they were the first. Alex did insist that they get his brothers out of the vehicle first. They remarked on how much the brothers cared for one another. They were each concerned about their brothers as they were extracted from the vehicle. We knew it was a miracle that Jacob is capable of walking today, but after hearing about the complexity of his extraction and the severity of his injuries, it is even more apparent now. They showed the boys the tools that were used to help get them out of the vehicle. Allowed them to see inside of the fire truck and ambulances, and even ride in the fire truck. The heroes from Rutherford County Fire Dept., EMS, and SORT Team went above and beyond the call of duty on that fateful day. They continued to care about our boys well-being, even after their job was done. I am forever grateful to each and every one of them. 


Love & blessings, 

C.C.

Treating Him The Same 

by C.C. Hasty, posted in Brothers, God Is Good, Mom, Uncategorized, Wheelchair


This was on old crate froma factory in Nashville that I absolutely loved. I had huge plans of making it into a flower planter. Jackson, however, decided he needed to tear it apart with tools. He is going through a phase of wanting to build things and using his imagination to think of alternate uses for items. I definitely want to encourage this kind of learning in normal circumstances. My vintage crate had an intended use, and it definitely wasn’t meant to be broken into pieces.

Jackson hardly ever gets in trouble, but this morning I had to lecture him about respecting other people’s personal property. I explained to him that this was something that I loved and it can never be replaced. 

It has always been hard to discipline Jackson. When he was little he would look at me with his big blue eyes and say, “I sorry.” It is even more difficult now. And yet, it has to be done. Regardless of his circumstances, he still has to learn what acceptable behavior is. 

Had the culprit been one of our other boys, the punishment would have been more severe than a lecture.  Jacob would have been expected to know better. Joshua as well, but he is still at the age where he makes mistakes and does things without thinking of the consequences. With Jackson, a lecture was enough. With tears in his eyes, he apologized and sincerely meant it. 

One of these days, a lecture won’t be enough. He will grow older, come into puberty and all of the teenage drama that entails. Although disciplining him will still be difficult, I pray that I step up to the challenge. At the end of the day, regardless if he is in a wheelchair or not, I am responsible for teaching him. It is my job to make sure that his knows right from wrong, how to treat others, and always strives to be the best that he can be. 

As we always say, Jackson is the same now as he was before the car accident, he just gets around on wheels instead of two legs. That means treating him the same and having the same expectations as we do for all of our other boys. 

Love & blessings, 

C.C. 

Basket Case

by C.C. Hasty, posted in Blessed, Brothers, God Is Good, Graduation, Mom, Uncategorized, Wheelchair

I have spent the past couple of days planning for Jackson’s surgery and Alex’s graduation. How can one do both emotionally and not be a basket case? The answer is simple: by the grace of God.

9 months ago our boys were life flighted to Vanderbilt.  We didn’t have time to clean the house, make sure the laundry was done, the pets were taken care of. Pack bags. In fact, for several days we only had the clothes on our backs. After multiple surgeries and several months later, we were all finally home together. This time, Jackson’s surgery is planned. We know how long the recovery should take. We are not naive to be oblivious to the possibility of complications. Of course we are not happy that he has to be put to sleep and cut open again. But we don’t have a choice. We knew from the beginning that the surgeons were creating surgical hernia’s that would someday need to be repaired. We didn’t care. We wanted him to live. As much as we worry for him, we also know that God is the one in control. I say it all the time I know, but it is so very true. Since that day on the side of the road I have learned that He is always in control, not I. It isn’t ideal for my husband and I to miss a week or two more of work, but God provided for us before, and I have to believe He will do so again.

While planning to be in the hospital with Jackson, I have also been planning for Alex’s graduation. I still can’t believe he is old enough to graduate. He is my baby. He has had to overcome so many obstacles this year to make this happen. More than most adults ever experience in a lifetime. I am so very proud of who he has become. I was amazed at the strength he had during and after the accident. His love for his brothers and people in general. His heart is so very pure and true.  Last week he met with Pastor Randy and I could see God working and putting everything together. He has a purpose and I know that he will do mighty things for the kingdom of God. And so does he. I can’t wait to see it.

I am not a basket case because I am blessed. I am blessed that my son, despite every opportunity to throw up his hands and give up, will be graduating high school. I am blessed because our boys are alive, and even though Jackson has to have surgery, we know that he will be okay. No matter how bad my day is, I can always look back on what I experienced on August 16, 2015 and find hope and gratitude in God for what He did then and continues to do. He really is an awesome God.

Love and blessings,

C.C.