Making the heart-wrenching decision to take a loved one off life support is one of the most difficult choices anyone could face, especially when the prognosis is grim.
Ryan Finley was confronted with this agonizing choice when his wife, Jill, slipped into a coma. It began when Ryan found her unresponsive, not breathing. He acted quickly, performing CPR and praying fervently as he awaited paramedics, despite understanding that her chances were slim.
Although paramedics managed to revive Jill, her heart was weak, and her breathing was labored. She was rushed to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, where doctors placed her in a cooling suit to prevent further brain damage. However, she remained in a coma.
Ryan held onto hope, praying daily, but as weeks passed, doctors told him Jill’s chances of recovery were nearly nonexistent. Heartbroken, he was asked to consider taking her off life support.
In his diary, Ryan recorded his devastation. “Today could be the worst day of my life. I essentially have to decide whether or not she will die,” he wrote. Imagining what Jill would want, he felt she wouldn’t want to live like that, so he made the agonizing decision.
As family members gathered to say their final goodbyes, the machines were turned off. But Jill didn’t pass right away; doctors explained that her body was in a “last rally” phase.
In that moment, Jill began to murmur. To Ryan’s amazement, she spoke, telling him to get her out of there and suggesting they go to the Melting Pot or Ted’s, two of her favorite Mexican restaurants.
Source: YouTube Screenshot – Facing Life Head On
Ryan’s hope surged, and, against all odds, he believed Jill would recover. He was right. Jill began breathing on her own, later undergoing heart surgery and rehabilitation.
Reflecting on her experience, Jill shared that she had no memory of the coma but struggled with short-term memory and a few speech issues. Otherwise, she felt well and was grateful for the second chance at life.
Now, Ryan and Jill cherish every moment together, stronger than ever. “We cherish each day, each minute, each hour now,” Jill told TODAY. “Not that we didn’t before, but it puts everything in perspective.”
This incredible story reminds us of the power of hope and resilience.
A former prison guard from Mississippi loses her job for caring for an inmate’s newborn, and her perspective
Roberta Bell’s journey is a moving example of the courage and strength of compassion, demonstrating the enormous influence that one person can have when motivated by empathy. Roberta, a 58-year-old mother of five and grandma of eight who resides in the charming city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is regarded by many as a hero. Her life took an unexpected turn this year, showing the world the power of love and bravery to transform lives.
Roberta met pregnant convict Katie Bourgeois, who was almost out of prison, while she was a correctional officer at the Louisiana Transitional Center for Women. Katie was in a terrible predicament because she had no relatives to support her after her kid was born. Roberta took the crucial choice to take care of the baby until Katie could return home while Katie was unable to do so.
There were, however, repercussions to this choice. Roberta was sacked from her job at the correctional facility after her supervisor saw a conflict of interest in her conduct. For Roberta, though, it was a minimal cost. Kayson, Katie’s son, was born just over a week after she lost her job. Roberta had been looking forward to his visit to the hospital. She brought him home, clothed him tenderly, and held him in her arms, showing him the tenderness and love of a mother.
Kayson was under Roberta’s care for two months before Katie was able to see her son again. Even though Roberta was going through a difficult time personally, her compassion and selflessness were evident when she said goodbye to the infant to whom she had been so close. Millions of people were moved by her heartfelt and real narrative of generosity, which struck a chord with people everywhere.
Donations poured in from people moved by her story; diapers, formula, and other necessities arrived. Numerous kind presents from strangers adorned Roberta’s living room. Even more astonishingly, their contributions added up to an incredible $90,000. Even though she was unemployed, Roberta kept giving back, using some of the money she was given to assist a fellow pregnant prisoner who was having financial difficulties.
That was not the end of Roberta’s quest. Rather, it opened a new chapter in her life. Since then, she has started a new project that she is very enthusiastic about called The Serenity House. The Serenity House, which is situated in the serene Mississippi countryside, is being renovated to serve as a haven for women reintegrating into society after serving time in jail. Roberta is committed to giving these women a place where they can find direction, support, and a feeling of belonging, just as much as she had loved her job at the prison.
Roberta gladly answers every call that comes in asking for her assistance; her phone is always vibrating. Her experience is a prime illustration of how one individual, driven by compassion, understanding, and a steadfast faith in second chances, may significantly impact the lives of others.
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