Y’all remember my friend Traci and her boys, right?
(Us and the Hutchersons- 2013)
Well, I’m *finally* allowed to announce some really fun news about her eldest son, Jonathan, today- but first, I wanted to share a little bit about why his Gift is even more extraordinary.
On July 7th, two days after Jonathan was born, Traci rolled down the hallway at the hospital in a wheelchair, surrounded by “It’s a Boy!” balloons attached to the handle bars. Her heart full of joy, and her eyes swollen from crying because nestled in her arms was a little boy who couldn’t hear the sound of her voice. Or so she thought.
You see, Jonathan failed three separate hearing tests in the hospital, and the nurses told Cy and Traci that he would have to have special testing done to see if he could hear at all. Unfortunately, the first appointment available for that special hearing test was three months away.
Questions raced through Traci’s mind during that time:
“Can Jonathan hear us?”
“Will he ever be able to speak?”
“Will he ever hear my voice say “I love you?”
Through a series of events, Cy and Traci’s pediatrician convinced them that Jonathan didn’t need to take those special hearing tests, only to find out two and a half years later that he only had 50% of his hearing, and needed to be fitted for hearing aids. It was quite a roller coaster ride, but they were thankful for the very spirited, happy, and healthy toddler that he was.
Traci’s Mom paid for Jonathan to take speech lessons, and helped them pay for doctor’s visits and hearing aids because as Traci put it, “we were broker than broke“.
Those of you who have followed Traci’s blog for a while know how close she was with her mom, Wanda. If you aren’t familiar with her Wednesdays with Wanda series, I encourage you to click through that link.
Wanda adored Jonathan and was always so proud of him…especially when she heard Jonathan sing his very first solo when he was just two year old. He sang “Victory in Jesus” a cappella in front of their church congregation. Traci said, “Cutest thing you ever did see, and Mom was there grinning from ear to ear“. 🙂
Wanda was also at Jonathan’s school when he sang “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Chris Tomlin in his very first talent show.
Traci said, “Little did any of us know that a little over a year later, Jonathan would be singing Amazing Grace at her funeral, as she requested. I believe all of heaven opened up that day as my 10 year old son sang with all of his might for his Nana. It was one of the saddest, yet most beautiful moments of my life, and I will never forget it! I know that Mom was beaming with grandma pride in heaven as he sang“.
Now, just 6 years later, Jonathan will be singing on one of the biggest music stages of his life: NBC’s “The Voice”!
We’re not exactly sure which night they will air his audition this month, but if you’re interested in watching and rooting for “our nephew” Jonathan with us- The Voice airs at 8/7 Central on Monday and Tuesday nights!
Congratulations! That’s such amazing news. I also have a deaf son (now with a Cochlear Implant & Hearing Aid) and every one of his accomplishments seems like a mountain he just climbed – a mountain double the size of one either of my my other two ever have had to face! Love hearing this story. – Vicki @ EntriWays.com
Perhaps you can make a video of it and post it here so that we could hear and see it.
Love from the Netherlands ?!
Ingrid
The Voice is on Monday AND Tuesday nights, Layla! And we have been watching for him!! Thanks for sharing more of his story, brought tears to my eyes…. ~Kim
Completely and unashamedly brought tears streaming down my face. I am so touched by this beautiful real life moment. How amazing and super cool all rolled into one. Rooting for him for sure!! Sounds like one special guy with a larger than life talent. Go Jonathan!
Thanks for sharing Layla. I had tears in my eyes too. Will try to watch for him on the Voice! So exciting!
What an inspirational story. What a wonderful story of the outcomes a grandmother’s love can accomplish. We all think we face struggles everyday, but this is a true story of strength and perseverance. Thank you for sharing.
I read Traci’s blog, so I already knew about Jonathan and The Voice. I watched on Monday night but no Jonathan. Last night, due to a wind storm, we had no electricity during the time the show was on. I was so disappointed but decided to not use my phone to see if he was on. So, it looks like I didn’t miss him!!
Omg the “voice” is TOTALLY my happy place!!! I have many jobs but I work like a dog to see it because of story’s JUST LIKE THIS!!!!!!!!
I will be watching ???
Also the voice is on on MONDAY and Tuesday’s at 8pm. I’m in Michigan so I think we’re eastern time.
I’m so excited:))))
Lisa from Michigan
Layla, this made me cry. Your writing seems to have that affect on me a lot. 🙂 Such a heartfelt story. We don’t have cable, but will see if I can watch it online. What a blessing. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
How exciting Layla! Sending lots of love and blessings to you all . . .
Like Donna, and others, your story made me cry too. What a blessing this young man is. We always watch The Voice……..and now, have a new star to root for!!!!! We’ll be clapping and cheering him on, from MO.
WOW!!!!! Bless this young man and his family….God is good!
What woondeful news. So excited for every one. Please Please let us know when he will be on.
Oh, I’m not sure when they’ll air his audition, Roseann! We just need to tune in and watch…maybe it’ll pop up next week! 🙂
We love watching “THE VOICE’ as a family! We will be watching and praying for him! Such an amazing back story!
AMAZING!!! Will be rooting for him from Florida!!
I am very happy for this young man and his wonderful family. I will be on the look out for him!
As a mother of a child that has hearing aids though I am so mad at a health care system that couldn’t schedule testing for three months and a pediatrician that thought he knew better than what standard medical practice would indicate thus depriving a child of help and a family of the free early intervention services they were entitled to. AND a healthcare system that excludes coverage of a medical necessity such as hearing loss / hearing aids even for children. AND the state and federal elected officials that allow businesses and health insurance companies to get away with those exclusions because they would eat away at large profits. AND voters who think as long as this particular issue doesn’t affect them that it is okay to ignore it.
My daughter is 12 and her newest set of hearing aids would have cost us $5500 out of pocket. We could have gotten the same exact pair at Costco for half that, but hearing aid provider companies lobby to ensure that Costco is not allowed in most states to provide hearing aids to children. No, these companies want to keep their huge mark-ups at the cost of children getting what they need to learn, succeed, and just hear their loved ones speaking.
Sorry. Rant over.
My husband and I watch The Voice without fail, so we will be watching for Jonathan. Our daughter is profoundly hearing impaired and does not wear hearing aides nor did she choose to get a cochlear implant. She is Deaf and proud of it. She works at Rochester School for the Deaf. Her husband, who is also Deaf, is in his second year of medical school at The University of Rochester College of Medicine. Isn’t that amazing–there are only about 100 Deaf doctors in the world. We are so proud of both of them. I can’t wait to her your Jonathan sing!
Yes, I heard rumblings of this event to come…and so happy for Jonathan and his amazing family….will be sure to DVR this so I will not miss a show….So very wonderful!!!
That’s so cool! My cousin was on the 2nd season. He made it pretty far, now he sings on a cruise ship 🙂
For you info, The music group Home Free, that won on The Sing Off in December 2013 found one of their member on a cruise ship. Now, they have made it big. Find their videos on YouTube. Hope your cousin has the same blessings.
Amazing!!! this grace that defies all the odds that try to bind us.
PTL will be watching!!
Omy goodness that is amazing!! Congratulations and sending goodluck vibes his way!!
Lauren | Lovely Decor
xx
Wow!! Watched him several years ago on a KY gran ol opry (?) or some such contest. He’s so much older now!!! We record The Voice. He must be really talented to even audition on TV!!!! Wow!!!!
Exciting!!!