4titude Award winner Tammie Aaron-Barada
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: 4titude Awards | Posted Saturday, August 11, 2007
Q: Please share the trial, set back or loss you have experienced:
A: We were potty training our two toddlers while I was working on my patent and writing the business plan for PottieStickers. We had just lost our 3rd child so I was very focused. The day after the World Trade Center tragedy on September 12, 2001 was when my world crashed, we found out my husband had cancer. The daily trips for radiation, doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy treatments resulted in placing our two toddlers in day care and in the hands of neighbors since family was over 800 miles away. A few weeks later my husband lost his battle with cancer. God knew I could only handle two children alone I guess. Now widowed with a handful of PottieStickers and two toddlers to raise, I was devastated and faced with financial challenges as my husband did not have life insurance. Determined to make it, I pursued my goals in honor of my husband and for our children. Aaron Barrada, Inc. was the first company to provide a toilet training reward system designed specifically for traveling children of today. I recognized and filled the void of today’s family-on-the-go-lifestyle toilet training. We have created a variety of products for kids: PottieStickers, PottieCD, PottiePal toilet paper holder, PottieKits, PottieCombo, PottieSong, PottieRules, PottieTime and RewardEmStickers. Additional information can be found at www.PottieStickers.com.
Q: Despite the pain you have endured, what beauty have you seen come out of this?
A: We donate a percentage of every sale from our whole product line to cancer research. We have educated many people about on potty training issues. We have won numerous awards and last week (July ‘07) was awarded top 100 people of PA with the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Praise GOD!
Q: To what or to whom do you credit this beauty?
A: “GFW” (God, Family & Work) is printed on Tammie’s products to keep her focused on life’s priorities. GOD is the only person to credit. Without HIM I could not have accomplished anything. HE gave me the strength and courage to continue after my husband’s death. I honestly do not remember the first 2 years. I simply threw myself into my work. Focusing on marketing, advertising and all the public relations I could get.
Q: What advice or wisdom do you wish to share with others having been though this experience?
A: Assemble a board of advisors to keep you focused and on track. They will let you know when you are going sideways or going in to many directions at once.
Q: If someone else reading this is going though something similar, do you have any resources to recommend they look into further for help or support?
A: Just do it. Never wonder “what if” about anything for the rest of your life. Know that you did it. There is no such thing as failure… simple God telling you that you are going in the wrong direction because he has something greater for you in store. You just need to find it.
Tammie Aaron-Barrada 106 Valley Hi Lane, Ruffs Dale, PA 15679 USA [email protected] 724-696-9558.
4titude Award Winner Wendy Williamson
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: 4titude Awards | Posted Saturday, August 4, 2007
Wendy Williamson
GotBreastPump.com
ZacharyWilliamsonMemorialFoundation.org
Q: Please share the trial, set back or loss you have experienced:
A: In November 2001, I became pregnant for my sweet angel, Zach. While getting the ultrasound, we discovered that he had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (the left side of his heart and aorta was not developing). Though three risky surgeries were involved, we traveled to Delaware where he could have the best surgeon. After eight long days of struggling for his life, it was time for him to leave us.
Q: Despite the pain you have endured, what beauty have you seen come out of this?
A: Definitely the most important thing that has come out of our experience is my faith. I spent a good year in a deep depression, wondering what I did wrong to be punished in this way, why did this happen to us, asking God what he wanted from me. I prayed everyday to just send me the answers. Then one day, two of my close friends each gave me the same book (the very same day – if that’s not an answer then I don’t know what is). I am sure many people are familiar with the book, The Purpose Driven Life. It is definitely a book that everyone will benefit from, and it provides so many answers to questions that we ask God about everyday. Also, through months of soul searching, I finally determined that I would begin a charity that could help mothers by donating breast pumps to mothers with financial needs. The charity has helped many new moms, and also inspired me to begin a website to answer many questions that we have during those early months in regards to breast pumping and breastfeeding. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passions with other moms on the website and am grateful to God everyday for the blessing of our Zach.
Q: To what or to whom do you credit this beauty?
A: There is no question that God gave us this incredible gift. Some people may think that it is morbid that we think the death of our son is a gift, but we feel that it is a gift to have been able to spend eight days with this incredible little baby. He touched, and changed, more lives in his eight little days here on earth than just about anyone that I know.
Q: What advice or wisdom do you wish to share with others having been though this experience?
A: The most important thing that I want other parents, especially moms, to know is to not deny your feelings of pain. Whether you lose a child at birth or at 10 years, there is still an extreme amount of pain that must be dealt with. In addition, take this gift that God has provided for you and figure out how to take the pain, and wisdom, to help benefit others. I have learned first hand that God will never give you anything that you cannot handle. But you must realize that He is talking to you, and you need to listen and determine what great tasks He wants you to accomplish. Just open your mind and your heart and listen.
Q: If someone else reading this is going though something similar, do you have any resources to recommend they look into further for help or support?
A: The first, and most important, thing is to get references from your doctor or nurse for a good counselor, support group or therapist to help you through the feelings of grief that you will, and must, go through. Also, as a Catholic, I was very lucky to have the support of the Elizabeth Ministries. This allowed me the support and understanding from someone who had experienced the same type of loss. iVillage is a great place for message boards, and the “Loss of an Infant” message board is a very good place to talk to many other mothers who know what you are going through.
4titude Award winner Sarah P. (Photographer and mom)
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: 4titude Awards | Posted Saturday, July 21, 2007
Our most recent 4titude Award winner is Sarah P. a very good friend of mine, the Mom 4 Life photographer and a wonderful example of someone who is truely living out God’s love as a mother. I invite you to read her story below and also to visit her photography website Bellysimo Photography.
Q. Sarah, please share the trial, set back or loss you have experienced:
A: In 2002, my husband and I were working at a local children’s hospital. We met a 2 year old boy who was a foster child and spent more than 9 months of the year admitted to the hospital. He was a very sick little boy and had been put in isolation and unable to leave his hospital room at all. I could not stand by and watch him waste away. So we decided to bring him home and, when he was admitted to the hospital, stay with him and be his advocate. The doctors and nurses told us that he would not live until the age of 5. Our response was “That’s okay, then he’ll have a family and know love for three years at least.” Within months of bringing him home his health began to take a turn for the better. In his first 36 months of life we estimate he lived 27 of them in the hospital. In the last 4.5 years (he is 7.5 now!) he has only been admitted for 30 days total. His medical needs are still some of the most intricate you can live with outside of a medical facility, but he is a happy, vibrant, thriving 7 and a ½ year old boy! We are learning that his developmental needs are more intense than anticipated, but he still excels to his highest potential at everything he does!
Q: Despite the pain you have endured, what beauty have you seen come out of this?
A: Our son has proven everyone wrong. His diagnosis is such that doctors still, to this day, often suggest that to parents of similar children that they “let their children go because their quality of life will not be good.” It makes me chuckle a little as I see my son getting a coin for losing his first tooth, learning to ride a bike, going to school, giggling as he plays in the waves at the beach, and going to sleep at night whispering “I love you, Mama.” He has more quality of life simply BECAUSE of his disabilities. I’ve seen a miracle before my own eyes and get to experience it every day.
Q: To what or to whom do you credit this beauty?
A: Without a doubt, I believe that God planned that we would have our son. Every step I can trace, even being a young child and telling my Mom I would adopt special needs children someday, is evidence to me that I was being prepared for such a thing as this. When things are difficult and I feel like I do not have the strength to mother a child with this intense medical and developmental needs, I have a Higher Power to lean on and let Him take charge. He brought me to this… he will carry me through it as well.
Q: What advice or wisdom do you wish to share with others having been though this experience?
A: I cannot count how many times other Moms say “Wow, I could never do that. You’re amazing.” On a journey such as this, you are given strength for the moment. Not for the week, or sometimes even the day! There is still a strong possibility that our son’s future will be short. But I do not live each day thinking about that. I live in the “I’m a SUPERHERO” being exclaimed through the halls… I live in the grin that’s so big it shows 3 sets of dimples… I live in the joy that shines from my little guy. All of the other “normal” milestones that every parent thinks about and looks forward to are just icing on the cake and often come as a surprise to me because I don’t EXPECT them. They are a gift. Grace for the moment.
Q: If someone else reading this is going though something similar, do you have any resources to recommend they look into further for help or support?
A: Our situation is so unique that I would just suggest finding a support group – in person or online – that is specific to your child’s needs. Having other parents like you who do the SAME (or similar) thing day in and day out is PRICELESS to being the parent of a special needs child. If you’re like me, even your child’s care can be improved by the vast experience others have who have been doing it much longer than you!
4titude Award winner Stephanie P. (Blog writter and mom)
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: 4titude Awards | Posted Monday, June 25, 2007
Our most recent 4titude Award winner is Stephanie P. I invite you to read her amazing story and find awe in the healing power of God.
Q: Stephanie, please share the trial, set back or loss you have experienced:
A: My oldest son Noah began to have unexplained seizures at 2 ½ years old. They were so awful that he would have hundreds of different types of seizures a day. I couldn’t leave the house and no doctor or medication would help. We were told he might end up in an institution. The mama cat in me rose up and I knew that this was not in the plans for my son!
After learning about a special diet to treat seizures called the Ketogenic Diet, we found a doctor that was willing to help and Noah was seizure-free within 4 days of the diet. The diet is very strict and monitored by a dietician. It is not easy by any means, but it is definitely easier than watching our child have seizures all day long. Noah was able to come off the diet just before starting Kindergarten almost 1 year ago. He’s been seizure-free almost 3 years. It’s amazing. You can read the full story about Noah here. ( http://adventuresinbabywearing.blogspot.com/2006/05/full-story.html )
Q: Despite the pain you have endured, what beauty have you seen come out of this?
A: I’ve seen myself shaped into a strong woman, a more informed parent, a grateful person for many little things, the simple things in life, and I have been able to share our story to countless families, helping them get the care they need and encouraging them through the difficult times of starting the Ketogenic Diet.
Q: To what or to whom do you credit this beauty?
A: I am thankful for an ever and always faithful God.
Q: What advice or wisdom do you wish to share with others having been though this experience?
A: I tell everyone in similar situations to never lose hope, no matter what doctors or people may tell you. Have faith. Anything and everything is possible.
Q: If someone else reading this is going though something similar, do you have any resources to recommend they look into further for help or support?
A: I would be happy to talk with anyone that has questions. I also encourage parents of children with epilepsy to ask their doctor about the Ketogenic Diet, and if the doctor does not support it, get another opinion!
4titude Award winner Jane Perillo (snanimals.com owner)
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: 4titude Awards | Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007
The recipient of our first "4titude Award" goes to Jane Perillo, owner of www.snanimals.com. I recently came across her website that offers some really cute hand painted shoes and accessories for children. However, what really got my attention was the story behind this company. As you might have guessed from looking at my website www.mom4life.com, I am all about the people behind the products and not just the products they sell. This company, named snanimals was started in loving memory of their daughter, Emma who was diagnosed on 7/14/05 at the age of 22 months with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. She was one of 3 surviving quadruplets born 14 weeks early. Emma was a bright little girl that could read and spell at 2 1/2 years old and loved animals. Her love for animals spurred her mom to make her an pair of zebra panted shoes which was the start of snanimals. On January 19, 2007, Emma passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. Emma’s mom Jane says, "We are devastated and sorrowful but believe she lives on in every pair of shoes we make. So when we say they are hand-painted with love, it is more love than you could ever know. 5 % of our on-line sales will be donated to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association in memory of Emma." Please visit: http://www.phassociation.org/ for more information on pulmonary hypertension. Also, visit: www.carepages.com and after signing in go to "ouremma" to read more about Emma’s journey.
The 4titude Award is given to moms who have endured a trial, set back or loss in their life that has spurred them on to do create something of value out of their pain. If you know of someone that would be a good canidate for the 4titude Award, please contact us!
