An education in faith, inspiration: Meet Michelle

Michelle shares a hug with her friend Stephanie Seay

I first met Michelle at her brother’s wedding at Faith Baptist Church in Covington in September 2001. Six years ago, she and her family packed up their belongings, left their home in Seattle, Wash., and traveled here to settle into a new abode.

She and her family are a part of the ministry at Faith Baptist Church, serving there wholeheartedly in tangible ways. Always willing and ready to serve, Michelle is most appreciative for opportunities to lend a helping hand.

Just like a sunflower turns to follow the sun, Michelle turns to follow the “Son.” She for sure has the joy, peace and love of Jesus down in her heart to stay and she’s so happy. I wanted to get to know Michelle, so I extended my friendship.

Michelle enjoys a late summer day in a field of sunflowers, where her happy smile outshines them all.

Little did I know that when praying and asking God to help me be a blessing to her, he already knew the delight of a friendship was going to make my heart grow three sizes.

You will often find Michelle at a bookstore meandering through the aisles and sometimes with a Starbucks chai latte or peppermint hot chocolate in hand. Listening to the Beach Boys’ album “Sounds of Summer,” Kokomo, being her favorite song, makes her do a happy dance. Baking, decorating and eating cookies, texting a friend, watching Disney movies — “Frozen” being her favorite — or coloring are just a few of the things you will find Michelle doing on any given day.

Michelle often enjoys a Starbucks coffee.

I asked Michelle if she enjoyed going to watch the Seattle Mariners play football. Smiling, she said, “Stephanie, the Mariners are a baseball team.” She is so forgiving and does not hold a grudge. Hey, at least I knew the geographical location of Seattle.

She knows how to celebrate birthdays, and not just her own. Nachos topped with just about everything make for a tasty meal at a Mexican fiesta in her honor. Balloons, cupcakes and, of course, presents create a fun-filled atmosphere for celebrating life. I bet you don’t look as bonito wearing a sombrero as Michelle does.

Actually, she loves celebrating any occasion. If you bring your little goblins by her house to trick-or-treat, she not only gives out candy but shares a big happy grin that will stand out on a spooky night. Always excited about Christmas, Michelle looks forward to celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. Mesmerized by all the lights, she is reminded that the birth of the Savior, the Light of the World, is why we celebrate.

Michelle loves celebrations, complete with Mexican sombreros and a full plate of nachos with everything.

Michelle and I enjoy being together, whether it’s singing praises at church, eating tacos or chicken alfredo over a meal, sharing a cup of tea, visiting with her friends over Zoom, searching for words in a word search, putting together crafts, or coloring a picture. You should see Michelle’s collection of coloring books, pencils, pens, crayons, markers. Crayola would be proud.

One thing she really loves to challenge these four eyes of mine with is jigsaw puzzles. I prefer the ones with larger and fewer pieces, but not Michelle. The more tiny pieces the better. Puzzles have never been a favorite pastime of mine but I press on just for her.

One of Michelle’s favorite pastimes is working jigsaw puzzles.

Always, and I mean always, she wants me to choose our activity for the day. Her favorite words are, “What do you want to do?”

If I say a negative word about myself, she gently says, “That’s not true.”

Every human being comes with unique and individual needs. Distinctive circumstances and personalities grant irreplaceable blessings.

A story of significance

Born in Kennewick, Wash., to Steve and Nadene Walters, their second child, Michelle Ann, was born Aug. 17, 1980. She weighed six pounds, five ounces, measured 19 inches in length and had lots of dark hair.

Circumstances beyond control presented a home birth with paramedics assisting. Upon delivery, it was evident Michelle had severe, life-threatening issues. She was immediately transported to the local hospital for assessment and treatment. Physicians diagnosed her with a birth defect called Myelomeningocele (Meningomyelocele), also called Spina Bifida Cystica.

Soon the precious one was airlifted to a hospital better equipped for providing the care she desperately needed. Surgery to close the opening in her lower lumbar spine and for placement of a shunt due to hydrocephalus on her brain was vital for survival. Difficulty breathing required intubation and a ventilator. Further evaluation revealed paralysis of her vocal cords due to them being in a closed position.

Medical professionals, as a team, decided all life saving efforts had been exhausted and she should go back to the local hospital for comfort-care only.

Advice and input from a co-worker of Steve’s changed the dynamics for Michelle’s care entirely. Necessary calls were made and soon she was headed to the Children’s Hospital of Seattle.

Upon arrival, assessments were made and plans of action were quickly put into place. A specialized ENT knew it was urgent and necessary for Michelle to have a tracheostomy. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, surgery was successful and breathing on her own was restored.

Instruction, training, encouragement and support from a phenomenal group of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers and friends helped get the family headed in a positive direction. Two long months later, Steve and Nadene were on their way to home, sweet home, with their daughter. A divine miracle indeed.

Steve and Nadene continue to trust in God for the well-being of their daughter. Although a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair, Michelle remains content in any given situation. She, too, trusts Jesus for providing her “daily bread.”

I heard a Pastor say, “Faith doesn’t always understand God’s means but it always trusts God’s motives.” God purposefully gave Steve and Nadene the high honor of being the ones He deemed suited for the demanding tasks of caring for Michelle. Resting in the knowledge they all are safeguarded by God continues to give them eternal hope. Remaining strong, they continue caring for Michelle, supporting and helping her to function as normally as possible.

Michelle recently celebrated her 43rd birthday — with tacos, cupcakes loaded with sprinkles and the pressing together of a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle. We finished it before I turned into a pumpkin, just before eight o’clock. Thanks, Wylder and Lylah, for your help!

Happy Birthday Michelle!

I am grateful God took me out of my comfort zone and that Michelle allowed me into her world. It is gratifying that God’s goodness is not limited by my expectations and familiarities. Michelle’s selflessness, warmth, kindness, optimism, and “attitude of gratitude” inspires me to be a better person. Her unconditional love draws me nearer to the Heavenly Father whose power is made perfect in weakness, and not just in her life but in mine as well.

“God will either give you what you ask or something far better,” said Robert Murray McCheyne

Please pray for Michelle as she continues forward with optimism and enjoying life in ways most of us will never experience.

Michelle hasn’t let her disability hold her back from enjoying life.

Michelle has the most severe form of Spina Bifida. It happens when parts of the spinal cord and nerves come through the open part of the spine. It causes nerve damage and other disabilities. Seventy to 90 percent of children with this condition also have too much fluid on their brains. This happens because fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord is unable to drain like it should. The fluid builds up, causing pressure and swelling. Without treatment, a person’s head grows too big, and may have brain damage. The paralysis of her vocal cords is an extremely rare condition as well.

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Read more about Spina Bifida at

www.spinabifidaassociation.org and learn of ways you can help support further research.