I mentioned in my personal information page that God really provided a miracle for my son Chad. I really want to share the story of that miracle with you, as it has been such an inspiration to so many. Chad was instantly and totally healed from mental retardation and autism at the age of six months. God so graciously healed his physical body as well as endowed him with a tremendous capacity to learn. As a result, he graduated Valedictorian in his high school class. I have enclosed his address to the graduation class, as this clearly describes what God did for my son. I will be eternally grateful for all of God’s goodness and especially that He so graciously returned my son’s captivity and gave him a normal and tremendously productive life.

Mr. Heppner, members of the school board, principals, teachers, parents, relatives, and friends. In preparation for tonight’s speech, I was contemplating what type of presentation I would give. Instead of being political, comical, or moralistic, I would like to tell a story that my mother shared with me. My hope is—that by sharing it with you, this story will leave a lasting impression.

The story begins a little over 18 years ago. A couple was about to give birth to their second child. They had been blessed with a beautiful baby two and a half years earlier, and they felt ecstatic about the arrival of another child. During delivery it was discovered that the umbilical cord had wrapped itself around the baby’s neck. The doctor moved quickly to remedy the problem.

After the delivery the doctor concluded that the child appeared to show signs of mental retardation due to the lack of oxygen to the brain during the delivery. His tongue wouldn’t stay in his mouth, and his body coordination was erratic. He also showed many signs of autism. My mother shared how this mother sat for hours holding and consoling this child who couldn’t be quieted because of muscle spasms and fear. The only way she was able to put the child to sleep was to hold him tightly in her arms while he screamed until shear exhaustion would result in sleep or to place him in his crib and hold his head and body down against the muscle spasms until, again, exhaustion granted sleep.

Many tears and much prayer during those long months of early childhood were shared between this mother and son. Often desperation and despair almost overwhelmed the mother as she helplessly watched her beautiful child caught in this hopeless situation. The doctors, after several months, hinted at the possibility of institutionalizing this precious child, but the mother wouldn’t give up. For six months she prayed and cried out for help. God in His infinite mercy heard her cry.

Through a friend, she heard about a Scottish evangelist who was ministering nearby, who seemed to help people. She had been working with a young girl who enthusiastically invited her to come. Because of the difficulty involved in arranging care for her mentally retarded child, she didn’t go the meeting for over a week’s time. Finally, arrangements were made and she attended the meetings. She saw and experienced things in that meeting that caused her to hope. She knew there was finally help for her child. The baby couldn’t attend a regular service, because he was so uncontrollable, so the evangelist and pastor agreed to meet with her the following Sunday afternoon. The mother took her two children that day and met with the ministers. Very tenderly and with great compassion the evangelist prayed for her two boys. Both were touched, but the screaming tormented child did not leave that meeting the same. He left smiling, relaxed, and totally normal. One minute he was autistic and screaming. The next moment he was normal.

You might wonder why I am sharing this story with you tonight as part of my speech. I admit that it is rather unusual—but so is my story. For you see, I was that child. I was the child my mother held so tight and prayed and cried so many tears for. I was the child who was uncontrollable and inconsolable. But God touched me then, and I wanted to share with you the miracle He performed in my life. I was born retarded and possibly autistic, but tonight I stand before you—a trophy of God’s grace, as valedictorian of my high school class.

Each of us has our own special story. I am glad to have the opportunity to share my story with you. As Samuel Johnson once said, “Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.”

Following this address there was a standing ovation, and many faces were lined with tears. I have met many Lyndenites since who have spoken of the impact that this story has had on their lives. Chad’s story has primarily been shared person to person, and I have shared verbally in many services about the tremendous outpouring of grace upon my child. In this Web page, I trust many thousands will be blessed, as well.

As the Psalmist so fittingly states, “Oh, that men would praise the Lord!”