Hero is spelled: Judy Smalley

Judy Smalley, Physical Therapist and Owen Birk, age 7M

After a textbook pregnancy and uneventful birth story, we thought our son was born perfect, ten fingers and ten toes, that is all that mattered right?  Shortly after his birth we began our "special needs journey" filled with terror and heartache as his diagnosis slowly started to emerge with each absent milestone, each agonizing delay, each bottle he couldn't swallow, each lacking smile, and the constant irritable scream that still resonates within my soul to this day (five years later). 

During these very early months we were given the opportunity by the county that we lived in to obtain a free home health evaluation by a registered nurse.  This was a standard service for all new mother's regardless of economic status, so we gratefully welcomed the nurse into our home knowing all too well that our son was not following any "typical" developmental pattern - the nurse sadly agreed.  Our son's diagnosis story is a long one, but during the seven months we were working toward discovering that he had a rare brain malformation called polymicrogyria and a genetic mitochondrial disorder, we we fortunate enough to receive in home early invention services with included a variety of therapies, one of which was physical therapy which is where the very first hero of many walked right into our front door.

Hero is spelled: Judy Smalley because she was one of the very first of MANY people who would be involved in Owen's life not only as a therapist but as a cheerleader, and in my life as a friend and confidante.  Judy has the heart of a mother which she intertwines with her deep rooted Christian beliefs and a holistic therapy approach that includes body + mind + spirit = good health.  The early days of my sons life are blurry - at best - where the days and nights were one in the same.  There were non-stop tears from all parties in our family.  The heartache was indescribable.  The one constant positive force in our lives during that time was Judy.  I looked forward to her knock on our door, because she brought smiles and conversation into a place of isolation and grief.  My time with Judy was as therapeutic as the time she spent with Owen, and I am so very blessed to call her a friend even to this day.  When Judy would enter our home it was the one time each week where Owen would stop crying, focus his attention on Judy, and enjoy the gentle and healing touch she provided to his fragile body.  After she would leave our home, Owen would sleep without issue and experience several hours of lingering "peace" - this was nothing short of a miracle for a child with a high pitched and constant neurological cry that would sting the ears of anyone who heard it.  It was as if Judy had a way of telling him "everything is going to be okay" and she could magically wipe away his pain with just her touch.  She also had a way of wiping away my pain by sharing the stories of her experiences with other developmentally delayed children over the years, and how on many occasions she had witnessed them achieving far beyond anything ever predicted.  Judy not only brought healing and peace into Owen's life, she brought it into mine.  She was able to assure both Owen and I that we were going to be okay no matter what was headed our way, and I am happy to report she was right. 

When Owen turned three years old he was transitioned out of early intervention services, and out of the Judy's care.  It was a truly sad time to leave her, and the entire "EI" staff behind but she will always be that ONE bright spot in the early months of agonizing grief and worry, and the one person who gave us hope when there was no hope available. 

Judy Smalley, you are our hero of hope and always will be.

Anita Birk, mother of five year old Owen, is Founder and Executive Director of Mommies of Miracles.