Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacquie A. McIver.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jacquie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a single parent and caregiver, my son who has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and a host of other medical challenges, I have searched and prayed for a way to help others who face the same daily challenges that I face. Establishing Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc., grew out of that vision and search.
Part of my search has meant looking for and embracing the meaning and purpose in my child’s life. What I have learned along the way is that loving my child has also meant learning to embrace my child’s disabilities. In such a way that I am still able to refuse to allow him to be defined by his disabilities. Children diagnosed with disabling conditions can and do live and thrive beyond their disabilities and find significant meaning in life.
Since we, in large part, drive the direction and continuity of our children’s care and even their right to live with purpose and dignity, it is key that we always have the right resources, support, and encouragement at our disposal. Let me tell you a little about my handsome little boy named Jeremiah, for whom I named this organization. I’ve already shared with you the medical diagnoses my son received after his birth. Now, let me share with you how this little boy has changed my life for the better.
Any mother or primary caregiver can relate to the tremendous sacrifice required to raise a child, but when raising that child includes coping with the major life disabilities which hamper their ability to run, laugh, speak, or even eat, the feeling of not being able to fix what is wrong with them can be overwhelming. This was what I faced when my 1 pound, 15-ounce Jeremiah was born and given only 24-hours to live. I learned, at that very moment, that I needed to lean on something or someone greater than myself. When I asked God to let my son live, I had no idea what was in store for him or how life was going to proceed for me as his mother.
Doctors gave me the early childhood prognosis that Jeremiah would likely not walk or talk and that he would have significant developmental delays. I found out some key things about myself in the process of having to steel myself against the dire medical reports that have been on-going. As I have steadfastly and as a woman of faith – I stood on my belief in God’s ability to do the impossible, and without losing hope, my Jeremiah is currently reading at an age-appropriate level, his ability to speak grows stronger with each new day, and his smile positively changes everyone’s day.
I am glad that, in my search for hope, faith, and grace to navigate the challenging journey of loving and raising a special needs child, I have found Jeremiah’s Voice! It is important to connect to a community and fellowship of other people who are like-minded and who believe that all things are possible if you have hope. As a community of parents and caregivers, we believe that it is imperative that each person has a voice, so their needs are met and so people see their value and worth for who they are as people. We believe that children with special needs should not – and need not – be defined by their disabilities; instead, they should be given every opportunity to live life to its fullest! This is what invokes the motto for the organization — “Living Beyond Disability.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, the road hasn’t been smooth, to say the least. However, there have been some outstanding moments that have changed the lives of those families who are caring for children with special needs. This road has exposed those individuals who believe that only certain people should have opportunities to live a full life. One of the biggest bumps in the road is helping others see our children as human beings. When people see my son, Jeremiah in his wheelchair and he’s rocking his head back and forth, they stare at him and some have even made negative comments. Here’s the honest truth about what Jeremiah’s Voice is all about; it is to be a conduit to help everyone to fully understand that every human being should have a right to live life. We take our motto of “Living Beyond Disability” to heart and want to help the community to know that differences are what makes up who we all are in this world.
Unfortunately, due to this pandemic, life has changed for us all and now we must find alternative ways to navigate through life. Our family needs have changed because many of our children are considered part of the high-risk population. However, we know that life for our community must continue to go on. We are working on ways to meet the needs of our community.
Please tell us about Jeremiah’s Voice.
Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity founded to provide opportunities for parents/caregivers of special needs children and those living with disabilities to have fun and enjoy their lives more fully, as well as meet their daily needs. We want to raise awareness, build tolerance, sensitivity, and foster a community that embraces differences.
Our vision is to be the voice of inspiration and hope for parents/caregivers of children and adults with special needs. It is our mission to provide advocacy for the individuals we represent by equipping them with information, resources, and opportunities for living a fulfilled life beyond their disabilities. Our unique purpose is to provide a place for parents/caregivers of special needs children and adults living with disabilities to connect while growing to understand the greatness of our special needs angels. We provide support for parents/caregivers by serving as a beacon of hope as they walk this journey.
What we offer to our communities:
• We teach and model the importance of finding purpose in this journey and emphasize the value of “hope” as an integral component for a full life.
• We connect with other like-minded people and organizations to provide additional resources and information, so the parents/caregivers and those living with disabilities can make sound and informed decisions.
• We equip families with resources and information involving all aspects of caring for a special needs child and/or adult.
• We provide a method to help families with special needs children and adults and identify unique opportunities to provide them with more fun in life.
• We educate families and the overall community to provide more inclusivity for those with disabilities.
Prior to the pandemic, we were proud that during our launch in 2018, we were able to send a family on a 5-day/4-night vacation to Disney World. Our plan was to do this at our bi-annual Celebrate Life Event so that families would get to experience what a vacation feels like. Jeremiah’s Voice understands the unique preparation that it takes to go on a vacation. During our event, we were able to celebrate the lives of families who were caring for children with special needs. Additionally, those who support our community through education, medical, and overall community support. We’ve had to place a hold on this initiative until it safe for our families to travel.
Around the holiday’s parents and caregivers with special needs, children are faced with unique challenges from isolation, financial strain, lack of resources to outright exhaustion and burn out. To help reduce the stress, anxiety and potential holiday sadness that can occur during this time. We are very proud of one of our signature annual initiative: Jeremiah’s Voice Presents – Hope for the Holidays. It is designed to help families by providing a fully catered holiday meal that feeds up to 6. Coupled with gifts for the children with special needs, which are age-specific and disability-appropriate. Many times, our children don’t always get much during the holidays. We want our families to be included and have a heartfelt holiday season. Our Hope for the Holidays program grows each year and we are gearing up for the 2020 holiday season.
It is our sincere thought that as we listen to the needs of our families and help bridge relationships with business and community stakeholders, then we can see everyone living beyond their disability. We believe that no matter what, if we have “Hope” and never give up that nothing in life is impossible. No one person is better than another, but we are all here to serve and uplift one another along life’s journey.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Yes, I have a team of individuals who got behind my vision and they believed in what we are doing. Many of these individuals are past and current board members. Additionally, we have some outstanding companies and organizations that provide financial support by sponsoring our initiatives. One of my biggest champions is my god-daughter Iesha Liles. She believes in the vision of Jeremiah’s Voice and believes that we will continue to do great things. She was there when it was just an idea on paper and now she is still here helping to ensure that we positively impact our target community. I have several of my friends who rally around our vision and support us by bringing awareness through local media.
Contact Info:
- Address: Jeremiah’s Voice, Inc.
1001 E. Hebron Parkway
Suite 118-180 Carrollton, TX 75010 - Website: www.jeremiahsvoice.org
- Phone: 469-575-5097
- Email: info@jeremiahsvoice.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremiahsvoice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremiahsvoiceinc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeremiahsVoice
Image Credit:
Invision Light Photography – by Tremayne (Tre) Abraham
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