A Beacon of Joy is the triumphant story of a little girl born with cerebral palsy, a condition that would manifest as multiple handicaps over the course of eight years. Yet despite the challenges, Mary’s buoyant optimism and infectious joy show how much children with severe disabilities have to teach us about living fully in the present and opening our hearts to life’s possibilities. Mary’s struggle for accurate diagnoses and her determination to succeed reveals the hand of Divine Providence and God’s willingness to comfort us and provide for our needs when we pray. Her journey reminds us of the power of steadfast trust in the plan God has for each of our lives. When after eight years, God chose to take Mary home to Him, she left behind not only a legacy of hope and unshakable faith, but also the inspiration for her mother’s chronicle of practical and spiritual advice, invaluable to medical professionals, spiritual leaders, and anyone blessed with the responsibility for caring for a special child like Mary. About the Author Sue T. Bastaja, R.Ph., J.D., earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at Ohio State University and her doctorate in law from the University of Kentucky College of Law. A full-time mom and self-employed Xango® distributor, Ms. Bastaja also serves as co-chair of the board of directors for Partners in Play and as a parent representative for the Family and Children First Council, which provides services to families in need. When Ms. Bastaja is not working on behalf of disabled children and their families, she enjoys photography, scrapbooking, and making skateboarding videos with her son, Robert, with whom she shares their home—and memories of Mary—in Powell, Ohio.
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