I haven’t written much about Jumby’s life before his arrival home with us for many reasons. The primary reason being the adoption has yet to be finalized due to the extreme sluggishness in which the wheels of bureacracy churn in these parts. The adoption officials in charge of stamping our adoption final and assigning Jumby with the Redneck surname are not keen on me publicizing some of the details of his past. So I’ve wisely held my tongue.
I will continue to keep his story under wraps until I have his birth certificate with his new name in my hot little hands because I can’t do anything to jeopardize his placement into our family fold. He’s already one of us and I don’t think I or my family could survive losing him.
Jumby didn’t have an easy life before he found his way to his forever home. His story is rather incredible and tragic, composed of the stuff that makes for an epic drama, made all the more incredible by the fact he survived and has since thrived.
But Jumby, my sweet new little man, is a hero. He’s my hero and a hero to everyone who knows the dark shadows that lie in his closet. He may not look like the hero Hollywood makes movies about or the hero legends are spun around and passed on for generations but he is a hero.
A blind, deaf, non-verbal, immobile real life representation of the true definition of heroism.
He even has his very own cape that velcros onto his dark blue pajamas. I made sure of that.
My little hero will never receive an award for his bravery, or have a street named in his honor. Heck, most people who see him won’t recognize the stoic grace he carries around with him every where he goes. But I do. I am his mother. Forever and always, Jumby is my little man.
My heart and my husband’s, and Fric and Frac’s heart’s as well, break every time we think about the trauma our Jumby has been forced to endure. As a mother, I find it hard not to spit fire and rage against the world, the people, who forced this path onto the boy who is now my son. I struggle to find the words to try and explain why such bad things happened whenever my older children ask me about it.
I can only tell them there is no such thing as fair in life.
My children have been forced to learn this lesson early on, with the sudden demise of their other brother. It saddens me that they can wisely nod their heads in acceptance. No child should have to learn that life has no boundaries, no fairness, and sometimes, sadly, no justice.
I can’t undo the damage that was inflicted on my son when he wasn’t my child. I can’t erase his pain or his suffering. There isn’t much I can do for this little boy other than to promise him a life filled with love, protection and safety for every breath his body holds now that he is a part of our family.
But this child, this boy who has seen hell and walked out the other side of it, riddled with scars from battles he never should have fought; he deserves more. Every child deserves more than what Fate has given him.
So when The Make A Wish Foundation offered to help Jumby’s dreams come true, you can bet the hairs on my chin I didn’t take more time than it takes to blink to agree.
It only seems fair after all, since Jumby made my dreams come true that I do what I can to help fulfill his.
On Friday, Jumby became an Official Wish Kid. Just like his big brother Shalebug did, years ago. Shalebug never got to use his wish; his time ran short before his dreams were able to come true.
But Jumby, my wee little hero-boy, will see his wish to fruition. It’s a small wish, not something significant or very meaningful to most, but to my child, it will make all the world of difference to him and remind him that wishes can come true, goodness does exist.
In a world where bad things happen all around us, to people too young to understand why, for children who live through greater hardships than most adults ever have to endure, the Make A Wish Foundation is there to give back to children the one thing life has often yanked away from them.
Hope.
The Make A Wish team has given my child the chance to dream like every child should be able to.
I can’t fix you Jumby, or erase the scars you bear on your body and soul. I can’t make you whole, the way you were once, but I can promise to be by your side as you walk your path and always help you chase your dreams.
Thank you Make A Wish Foundation, for helping me be able to do that for my child.
**To everyone who has ever donated and supported the Children’s Wish Foundation, I thank you as well. There are no words adequate enough to express what your kindness and charity provides to children like Jumby, to mothers like me. Thank you.**
Click either image to be directed to make a donation to help another child’s dream come true if you like.








Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 12:26
You are an amazing lady, Tanis. Jumby is lucky to have found you. Just as you are lucky to have found him.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 12:28
awwww!!! this should have been posted in tear jerker. this is so sweet. it’s amazing how a little boy who I’ve never met, has made his way into my heart. bless him.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 12:29
And father’s like me.
Thing 1 got a week in DisneyWorld last year from the good folks at Make a Wish. It is a special organization for special kids. Thanks to those who support it … and don’t get pissed when our kids get to cut the line. Cheers.
Kim Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 1:32 am
My Maddy is a Wish Kid, too…and the gift that they provided for her has been amazing for her. Instead of a trip (which would have stressed her out!) they gave her a big-screen television. She watches it every. single. day. and gets really annoyed if we walk in between her and her sporting events. LOL
I think Make A Wish is an amazing charity, and the stories I’ve heard from other Wish families have been simply amazing.
I’m so glad Jumby will get to live his wish, and I so wish that Shalebug had been able to live his….
{{{hugs}}}
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 12:36
Oh, beautiful. I am so glad that he is getting a wish, and I hope that his life is full of many, many good things from this day on.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 12:40
Oh, good, you guys finally decided on a wish?! So glad for you guy…wish that adoption would just be final already!
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 12:47
I hope you get him a great big fabulous dream but I can well imagine that everyday that he has spent as a part of your family has been the BEST dream ever ! Yes and this is up there with the good tearjerker stories.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 13:09
Beautiful.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 13:11
oh lady…. you are the best thing that could happen to sweet jumby.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 13:27
You have such a heart-wrenching yet heart-warming story. If families like yours don’t inspire the rest of us, I’m not sure what could. I hope Jumby enjoys that well-deserved wish and carries it with him forever.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 13:48
T~
I don’t know you, never met you, but I always feel like we share the same skin (us being mothers) … UNTIL you speak about Shalebug and Jumby…
I’m not worthy to lick the dust off your slippers…
AND I don’t think I could ever be the glorious strength you are…
Just know I love you…
m²
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 14:07
So wonderful… I’m adoring your super-hero boy. Sniff. Love!
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 14:31
I am so touched by this I had to comment but I don’t have words to give you. My heart is to full of this to limit it like that.
just… hugs. OK?
xo
b.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 14:41
I’m so glad Jumby gets his wish. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 14:43
Gosh, I just love reading your blog. What a special person you and your children are! I can’t wait to read (for want of better words) the full story.
So happy Jumby gets his wish!
xx
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 15:20
Kevin said it right: Never give any of these kids shit for cutting in line at Disneyworld.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 15:23
You are an amazing lady. I think part of what I love with you is your ability to see past the bad to the good that is always there trying to peak through. Your kids are so lucky to have such a loving mom
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 15:46
You are truly an inspiration!!! Thanksgiving has true meaning when it’s filled with people like you!
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 16:00
You’re awesome, Tanis. You know that.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 16:01
Jumby was so lucky to have found you. I can’t wait to hear about his wish!
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 16:10
We also got a Make A Wish trip to Disney World for our whole family and my parents got to go too because there was no way we could handle 4 kids(one with severe disabilities and leukemia). We didn’t know, of course, but it would be the last vacation we would take as a family. Three months later, Noah died, but we will ALWAYS have the Disney trip….our other kids remember sooo much about it and I could not believe the treatment we received. So many of the rides were handicapped accessable and Noah had a blast…even though he couldn’t see and was at a 6 month old cognitive level. We, as a family, were spoiled rotten and we should have been. Anyone with a child who has severe special needs should!! So, WHAT is Jumby’s wish??
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 16:55
So cool. For everyone.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 17:10
Here in the U.S. We celebrate a small holiday later this week. It’s called Thanksgiving. You, my friend, just summed up everything that holiday stands for. Right on!
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 17:13
You already made his biggest wish come true – you made a safe and loving home for him. There need to be more people like your family out there, too many children that need a family.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 17:17
Damn, Tanis. I love you.
Yeah, I know you have no idea who I am. But I love you.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 17:36
Tanis, you’re my hero.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 17:37
Wonderful organization. So glad they will help make Jumby’s wish come true although I suspect he feels pretty much like it already did with the love of your family around him.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 17:39
We have many reasons large and small to be thankful. You are amazing to be so strong and to share with us your challenges to help each of us grow and be strong for our challenges.
I’m thankful to have read this post by you today… know that your family will be in our prayers and warm wishes.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 19:32
It would be nice to imagine Jumby’s wish so as to help it come true…. Can you let us know what that is? I’d like to help see it really happen.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 19:34
Whatever Jumby’s Wish might be… I think he already got the biggest wish of all fulfilled. Every kid in the world needs a family (blood or otherwise) that treasures their presence.
*blinking hard*
BB
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 19:37
Well done… you and your family deserve high praise, indeed!
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 19:47
Oh I am shocked..I didn’t know Jumby had anything that made him applicable for MAW. I’m sorry. And I’m glad that you two have found each other.
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009 at 22:21
I’m so happy for you and Jumby! That’s so awesome.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 0:04
That’s so wonderful. I’m so glad Jumby has found his forever home in your family. He deserves a nice, soft place to land after everything he’s been through. He deserves every happiness, as do you.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 6:15
Hi Tanis, I found your blog through my buddy @outnumberedisme (don’t hold it against me tho). I work mostly with kids with special needs and particularly with kids who have PTSD either from physical, sexual, emotional, or medical abuse. I just wanted you to know that your blog about jumby has really touched me, I love to see the other side, the happy, joyful side when the child is in a loving, supportive home and has the chance to heal and be whole. You are providing such a gift for Jumby as I’m sure he is providing one for you as well. You are a remarkable lady; your story is inspirational and I look forward to future posts. Congrats to Jumby on make a wish and keep living in the joy,
Amy
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 6:48
Very cool, T.
That sweet, sweet boy….
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 7:22
*sigh* I love stories like this. Especially when told so beautifully.
Make a Wish is a wonderful foundation and I will always support what they do. Living next door to Disney World, I get to see the magic they invoke time and time again. Every time I see the family I always get affected by the magic in their smiles. People may poo poo Disney, but chances are they’ve never felt the magic of the place.
Hugs to you and your family too for giving Jumby the joy and love every child should feel. You are an angel.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 7:46
Tanis, you are my new hero and I hope that I get a chance to meet you in NYC at the Blogher ‘10 Conference which I just bought a ticket for.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 8:02
Thank you! I was stressing out about how much work i had to do and that i will never get it done and then i wasted a little more time and read your lovley post about your lucky littl man and it put things in prespective! What do i have to be stressed about when there are people in this world suffering more then how they will get their job done! You made me cry but you also made me feel better so thank you!! I hope all of your falies dreams come true!! You are a wonderful person!
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 9:14
I get teary eyed when I think about a child being frightened or hurt. You are an amazing family and I am so glad that Jumby has found his way to you all.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 10:12
But I already told you that I’d autograph a photo of myself for him – you don’t need to go through the foundation for that!
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 10:41
He is so totally my hero. Mostly for annoying you daily with his present from Auntie Mr Lady. I love that kid.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 11:06
I wish I were half the woman you are Tanis. You and your husband are unbelievable and your kids are lucky to have you.
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 at 12:52
I cant wait to read about Jumby’s wish. You are an amazing mother (despite the foaming at the mouth when speaking with Tech Support) haha! Your story inspires me in some way with every post.
Thursday, 26 November, 2009 at 6:35
You are an amazing woman. An even more amazing mother. I hope you realize that.
Thursday, 26 November, 2009 at 9:16
Make a Wish is a fabulous foundation. So glad to hear that Jumby gets to have a wish. Hope all of the legal adoption paperwork crap gets figured out soon and you can rest easy…
Thursday, 26 November, 2009 at 9:51
It’s amazing what these kids have to endure. Unless you live it with them you just can’t truly appreciate it. Wonderful news about Make A Wish!
Thursday, 26 November, 2009 at 10:04
That is fantastic. What a lucky little guy. What a lucky mom.
Thursday, 26 November, 2009 at 18:28
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love you blog. I am so grateful for people like you in this world. Also, I’m from Arizona and one of the founders of Make-a-Wish lives up the road from me, like one house down. Such a neat guy, very modest about the whole thing. Hope you all get to enjoy Jumby’s wish, you deserve it.
Friday, 27 November, 2009 at 7:07
I am thinking that Jumby’s already had one wish come true – to have a family and a mother like you.
I can’t wait to hear about his wish happening.
Saturday, 28 November, 2009 at 18:04
I just discovered your site and this post blew me away. It is when I encounter stories like this that I temporarily lose and then completely regain faith in humanity. There just might be hope for us yet.
Thank you for your strength and for sharing your story here.