Devon Ledbetter is a writer and editor based in Florida. She holds a BA in English from Florida State University. She currently formerly worked as a Digital Editor with Love What Matters and has previously had works published with College Magazine and Her Campus. Her favorite pastimes include beach trips, baking, and concerts. You can learn more about Devon through her portfolio https://dnl16b.wixsite.com/ledbetter-portfolio
“This body is forever mine, full of layers that have built me to where I am now.”
“When people say we blessed Tonya by adopting her, I tell them it’s the other way around. She has taught us how to love and care unconditionally.”
“After 30 minutes of driving down dark roads to a ‘surprise,’ I‘d been convinced he was taking me somewhere to kill me. Just as I was praying to God to let it be swift and painless, the guy pulled up behind a building, put on a headlamp, and jumped in a dumpster. Not the free meal I’d had in mind.”
“The short drive to the hospital was filled with anxiety and confusion. Our oldest son kept asking us where we were going, all he wanted to do was play and have fun. I held my tears and started to pray, but I had a gut feeling this was the beginning of a long journey for us.”
“It was hard to hold friendships from school. Someone in my ‘family’ told me I would probably lose all of my friends because of this. I remember getting stares and whispers from a lady at a local parade. I had just assumed this was the new normal for me.”
“I have whispered those words to him countless times since—through tears and smiles, surgeries and miracles, at appointments and home.”
“We live in a society where people often live on automatic mode. Let’s take the time to slow down and appreciate the little things.”
“Confidence isn’t the absence of doubt, but knowing you are more than your flaws.”
“We were asked to consider what medical conditions and/or special needs we were open to pursuing. We thoughtfully poured over the extensive needs list and then came to the conclusion if we had a biological child with special needs, we’d figure it out. And so we just said yes. To whatever child needed a family.”
“I see you searching the internet for a toy and not a therapy item to give. I see you wrapping gifts you know you’ll be unwrapping for your child.”
