On this episode of Hard Beautiful Journey, I welcomed my friend Jessica Janzen to discuss her harrowing journey of losing a son to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
Pregnant with her second child, Jessica was overjoyed with bringing her baby boy into the world. After his birth, the doctors hit them with the devastating diagnosis of SMA, and just six months later, on November 22nd 2016, he made his way up to the heaven skies.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction to Jessica Janzen
[06:01] Book: Bring The Joy
[06:32] Backstory on Jessica
[08:42] Diagnosis spinal muscular atrophy
[11:31] Writing her first book
[12:41] Medication for SMA
[16:37] Creating connection along the journey
[18:22] Self-esteem and self-worth
[21:27] Dealing with negative feedback
[23:30] Strategies to keep yourself motivated
[26:51] Who do you look to for inspiration?
[29:29] Community over competition
[34:28] Future plans in the works
[36:09] Expressing gratitude
[41:37] Connect with Jessica
“In the aftermath of all of the hurt and heartache and turmoil and pain, we’ve chosen to use pain as rocket fuel.”
Despite being consumed by grief, Jessica turned her heartache into fuel. She gathered her strength to write her first book, Bring The Joy, started her own apparel company and is working on a course to help people get unstuck after loss and grief. In the face of her success came opposition from strangers trying to bring her down. Yet, with the help of her loved ones, she pushes through the hate – an inspiration to all of us.
Connect with Jessica Janzen
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Thanks for listening,
Tiff
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