056: Humbled and Blessed by Blue Hearts and #CarterStrong with Jennifer Fortin

Time passes very slowly when you’re in a hospital waiting for updates on your child’s surgery. But for Jennifer Fortin, seeing the Facebook updates on her phone in the hospital waiting room opened up a floodgate of tears.

People from all over their community had started the hashtag #CarterStrong for their little boy, posting blue hearts, buying t-shirts, and sending prayers. And at that moment, Jennifer understood the complex ways in which people come together in moments of need.

Carter is now a strong and happy 10-year-old boy, but when he was 7, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor which turned into a brain cancer diagnosis. Brain surgery successfully removed the tumor, and after several rounds of radiation and chemo treatments, he finally got the “all clear.”

But the journey this family embarked on has taught them resilience, strength, the power of community, courage, and the impact of helping others in small ways. 

Today, Jennifer joined me on this episode to share some wonderful tips for parents currently in the thick of their journey or for those of you supporting a family. From how to find your community to how to source strength and ask for help, Jennifer reminds us that “the more you look for your blessings, the easier it is to see them.” 

Key Takeaways with Jennifer Fortin

• The challenges in processing a difficult diagnosis.
• Supporting your children during hard medical journeys.
• Balancing care between the siblings at home & your hospitalized child.
• How others can support families in small yet helpful ways (laundry, cleaning, meal trains, a coffee)
• Why sharing your story with others can help you or another family.

Show Notes:

Get Full Access to the Show Notes by visiting: MatteasJoy.org/56.

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