Becoming an Overcomer

Becoming an Overcomer

I was born on January 1, 1968, with my feet turned backwards—a physical reminder of a drug that changed the course of thousands of lives. That drug was thalidomide.

Thalidomide was introduced in the 1950s and early 1960s to help pregnant women with morning sickness. It was affordable, available without prescription, and heavily distributed—even to doctors in the United States, despite not being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). My mother was one of the women given a sample at a clinic when she was struggling with severe nausea during pregnancy.

No one could have imagined the small pill’s impact on the rest of my life.

Doctors told my parents I wouldn’t live long. And if I did, I’d never walk. But my parents didn’t give up on me, and neither did God. Mom and Dad took me to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where, by the grace of God, the doctors were able to turn my feet forward. That was just the beginning of a long journey.

Hospitals became a second home

I didn’t have a typical childhood. Hospitals became my second home. I didn’t attend public school because I was constantly undergoing major surgeries—24 total. I went from a scooter to a wheelchair to braces and crutches.

I spent most of my childhood at Crippled Children’s Hospital School, which cared for children with severe congenital disabilities at no cost to their families. For me, this was a home away from home. The nurses became part of my life and of the other children —feeding us, wheeling us to breakfast, and getting us ready for the day.

Our large white schoolroom looked like a replica of the White House. There, I learned, lived, and prepared for each transition—from recovery to surgery and back again. When I entered sixth grade, I had my final surgery. I was still using crutches and braces until one year later, when the doctors released me. For the first time, I could walk on my own.

More than physical

I’m now 57 years old. I walk, but I can’t bend my legs. I have to use my hands to lift myself off my bed and couch. Thalidomide stunted my growth—I’m four feet tall, with short legs and long arms. I have all my fingers, but only nine toes. My heart was also affected. One valve closed up and required emergency surgery. Another murmur remains, but by God’s grace, it hasn’t caused problems.

I’ve faced more than physical pain. I’ve lived through abuse, rejection, abandonment, and manipulation. My mother didn’t want me, so she left me with my father, who became an alcoholic. He became very abusive towards me, so I had to grow up without my parents in my life. I had to grow up on my own.

I have searched for love in all the wrong places. But God has picked me back up every time I have been knocked down.

As a six-year-old child, I always talked to God. Even though I really didn’t know God as a child, He was my significant source of support when it came to protection and providing strength and help in times of need.

More than a survivor

I’ve become more than a survivor through trusting in God—I’m an overcomer.

Everything I’ve endured has taught me to lean on God in ways I never imagined. He gave me the strength to walk when doctors said I never would. He gave me peace when the pain overwhelmed me. He gave me a voice to tell my story—not for pity, but to testify to His power.

I had no intention of writing a book, but this came about when my typing teacher inspired me. She called me on the phone, and we began talking. She said, “Jackie, you should put your life story into a book.” I thought this challenge was too big for me. Writing a book, that’s not me.

As time passed, it seemed everywhere I went, I would hear “Write a book”, whether from TV or the Internet. I told God I didn’t know how to write a book. I had to change my mindset. When my mindset was changed, God revealed to me how to write my story and where to get the information to format into a book.

I have discovered that through sharing my story, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

The writing process was sometimes discouraging, as I struggled to structure the book’s content. I wondered if my story would actually inspire people. Would my story realise my hope of giving others hope and changing someone else’s life?

A lesson in resilience and faith

My story documents my resilience, inspiring readers to overcome challenges and find strength, healing, deliverance, and peace in their faith with God. I know there are people looking for ways to become overcomers.

Life is not always easy or fair; it is enough with God’s strength.

I pray thalidomide is never again used to harm others, even though it’s still out there today, treating cancer. I hope my story reminds others that God remains sovereign even in a broken world.

I wasn’t supposed to live. But I did.
I wasn’t supposed to walk. But I do.
Every day I stand is proof that God performs miracles.