This is the true story of a TBI survivor near and dear to my heart, Jennifer Barrick.
It was November 2006 and a much anticipated evening for the Barrick family as they watched Jennifer’s first participation in a choir concert performance at church. The video of Jen singing glory to God with a radiant face turned up towards heaven is simply amazing. Following the exciting event, the busy, happy family of four grabbed a big bucket of KFC and were driving just a few miles from their home when the unthinkable happened……
Out of nowhere a drunk driver speeding away from an arrest with his lights off, hit the Barricks head-on going about 80 mph. Jen’s dad said he didn’t see him coming or have time to react. The impact of the collision was so forceful the engine of the drunk driver’s truck dropped out onto the road.
Miraculously, all four members survived the accident, but fifteen-year-old Jen was not supposed to live past that night because her injuries were just too severe….
Nothing is impossible for God, and Jen did miraculously survive that night after hundreds from their church and community gathered in prayer together, pleading to God for Jen’s life to be spared. Having received a severe traumatic brain injury, Jen remained in a coma for five weeks and in the hospital an additional five months. Jen’s mom Linda related in her devotional, that one night the on-duty nurse told her, “She’s going to be ok…..I see God in her.” And that was enough to give her distraught mother a little ray of hope.
Usually a person with a TBI wakes up from a deep coma thrashing, cursing, and screaming which is a very difficult thing to watch, but not Jen. Jen woke up with God in her soul and Jesus on her lips. She was blind, weak, and could barely form words together to speak, but when she prayed she was strong and sounded like herself again.
I think my favorite recap from her amazing story was related from Jen’s mom Linda, and her mom’s best friend Pamela. During one especially difficult moment for Jen, Linda and Pamela were sitting with Jen while singing “Silent Night.” Suddenly, Jen’s face became radiant and she, even though blind, started smiling at something and said, “Amen!” Her face was lit up with joy clearly showing that she saw something and Jen’s mom whispered, “Jen, what do you see?” Jen responded, “It’s Jesus, don’t you see him? He’s…..right…..here next to me.” Pamela said they literally cried about that experience “all day” and I have thought about that recap with awe for years!
Many years later after a long and difficult recovery Jennifer’s story has touched the lives of thousands (mine included) as she and her family reach out to those who suffer through their Christian ministry Hope Out Loud. Jen and her family speak at churches sharing their story and offering hope to the broken while sharing Jesus Christ and helping many know the riches of a life lived in Him. Linda’s book,” Beauty Marks” has been influential in helping me to heal the devastating scars of my own trauma and it also gave me the courage to begin writing.
I highly recommend taking a moment to watch this video, which Jen’s mom has personally given me permission to share here on my blog. It is one of the most powerful stories of hope, faith and healing I have ever heard of.
Much love,
Viv
I may be slow in answering comments as I’m currently battling more TBI issues. I love you all. Hugs!🤗💜
Praise the Lord for nothing is impossible for God.Hallelujah.🙏
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Thanks so much! Amen! God bless you always!
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Prayers for you my dear friend and thank you for sharing Jen’s story. I may be shopping for gifts.
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I appreciate your prayers Beverley!! That would be great! I love all the jewelry which Jen designs and so will you!!
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Thank you for sharing Jen’s story. Christ is truly central in Jen and her family’s life.
Blessings to you viv and I praying for you dear friend 💙
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Thank you Manu! It means so much and I am grateful for you and your love. 💜🤗
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Romans 8:28 💗💗🌷
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Hi TR, that’s so perfect to think on. Bless you dear one and many hugs!💜🤗
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❤ 🙂 Peace be with you, Viv!!!
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Love you dear one!❤🤗
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Wow!!!! Beautiful video…tears….thanks so much for sharing..prayers for you as you are feeling not up to par🙏❤️
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I’m thrilled you watched it! Her story has truly changed my life and how I view things. Thanks so much for the prayers my friend. 💜🤗
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Yes I watched it and then afterward had my fifteen year old watch it..she was in awe of God’s work!!❤️
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I’m so glad for that. 🙂 I hope to meet her someday since we live near eachother. Bless you.❤🤗
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That’d be awesome!!
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❤🤗❤🤗
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I don’t always watch the videos others share, but I’m glad I watched this one! What an inspirational story of faith and determination. Blessings.
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I’m really glad you watched it David, I was praying that some would be able to since we’re all so busy. Blessings to you!!👍😊🍁
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Amazing! Thank you for sharing this powerful message of hope.
I know that this hope dwells also in you; praying for peace and relief.
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Thanks Kathy, I’m thankful for those prayers! God bless you always dear friend. 🍊🍁💜🤗
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Thank you for sharing Vivian. I enjoyed the video. Prayers to Jen and her family, and I’m praying for you and your family too. There is always hope in our Jesus. I love you! ❤️
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Dawn, I love you too precious lady!! There is hope….always, and I thank you for encouraging my heart by this comment. It made a difference!💜🤗
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You’re welcome! 🥰
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🤗❤🤗❤
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This is a truly amazing story! Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope you are well. It is a joy to see that you have written a post for us. You are a constant inspiration for me, sweet Vivian! God bless you every day!
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You’re very welcome dear Cindy! I am currently unwell but that is normal for me, so I push through to brighter days ahead. I thank God for you and your ministry here on WordPress. It is a blessing to me.💜🤗🌻
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And you are a blessing to me! Love ya! Blessings!
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love you too!❤🤗
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Powerful testament! Vivian, thanks for sharing. May the grace and peace of the Lord continue to work through you.
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You’re very welcome Richard. Many blessings to you and thank you.🍂🍁
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Hi Viv! I’m just popping in to say, Hi! Hope you are having a great day! Love you! Blessings!
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Awwww, this makes my day Cindy!! So good to hear from you dearest lady, how are you?
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I am well! Praying for you my friend. God is faithful.
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Thank you so much! My heart rejoices knowing He is!!❤💜
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What an amazing story of hope…and redemption!
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Oh Dee yes!! Were you able to watch the video? I may have shared it with you before but it’s amazing!💜
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I sure did! Incredible 🙌🏽
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😄👍🤗😊🤗❤❤
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What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing! You’re in my prayers friend! ❤️
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Thank you Neighbor!! I am thankful for the prayers and support!!💜🤗
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I haven’t been able to do screens much lately (and, thus, haven’t posted anything on my own blog in a while either), but I’m really glad I took the time to read and watch this. This is what my aching heart needed today. Thank you. ❤️
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I’ve been thinking about you dear Rebekah. ❤ And you are in my prayers as well. I struggle with screens too and understand how frustrating it feels to be cut off in (yet again) another way. Hang in there. He’s holding us.🤗
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The fact that you have me in your thoughts and prayers while you struggle with so many of your own issues means the world to me. Thanks so much. 💙💙💙
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🤗🤗🤗
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I do not want to be a bother to you at all. I know you have so many struggles of your own, but … just wondering if there is a possibility of you being willing to let me contact you privately somehow? I have a question, but I don’t want to ask it publically.
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Sure! vivianjs@juno.com
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What a beautiful video
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I’m glad you watched it. 👍😊
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What a testimony to the power of prayer! I pray you are feeling better, too❤️
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Hi Deb! Thanks so much for reading! I appreciate all your prayers! Much love.😃💜
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Good morning Viv! I pray you have a beautiful day! Blessings sweet friend!
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Thank you. I’m in a bit of pain but not terrible yet. It means so much you care about me.🤗
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Reblogged this on Stories of Hope and commented:
My other blogs in this area are at
http://www.facebook.com/livingwithheadinjury
http://www.headbraininjury.wordpress.com
http://www.traumaticbraininjurytbi.wordpress.com
https://headinjurytbi.wordpress.com/
https://livingwithheadinjury.wordpress.com/
http://www.livingwithheadbraininjury.wordpress.com
https://thenurseanewbook.wordpress.com
and
https://anoneextraordinarylife.wordpress.com/
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
“Knowledge is the gateway to understanding…and understanding is the gateway to a better life.”
Shining a light of hope in the darkest corners
Helping promote better understanding and awareness of what is often termed “The Silent Epidemic” (and/or “The Hidden Handicap”)
“Inform, educate, uplift and (perhaps even) inspire”
from https://craigsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/12/02/thoughts-from-an-injured-brain-timothy-giles/
from a Google search (to rescue me from “sheer utter chaos”). Thanks “BIG G”
and by that, I mean God… rather than Google! https://craigsbooks.wordpress.com/2019/12/02/thoughts-from-an-injured-brain-timothy-giles/
Share, encourage, uplift and help spread hope, love and light
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is brilliantlight111312121-1-2.jpg
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Thanks Craig. I hope you are well!☺
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I hope the video blessed you as well.
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still got to watch this eve (when I get a “mo”)
stay well, Viv
“not so nomal” me
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It’s soooooo worth it. Let me know how you like it. Bless you friend. ☺
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