I really don’t want to introduce her this way. After all, who wants to be defined by what holds them back? But, I think it’s important in understanding her story; how her weaknesses were made strengths.
She was born in a country that had very little room for girls, especially girls with a visual impairment. She spent much of her early childhood struggling for survival in a special-needs orphanage. Her visual impairment got her lumped into rooms with kids who had cognitive impairment, and so no attempt to educate her was ever made. She had an eye removed at 3, a cornea replaced at 9. Her only family was of her own making, bits and pieces strung together with what she knew of love – other kids, an occasional nanny.
When she joined our family at age 13, she knew a little bit of conversational English and a little bit of Chinese Braille, and a whole lot about wanting a family and parents. I was home schooling my little tribe of 3 daughters at the time and figured she could use full-time family bonding, so I taught myself a passable amount of Braille and off we went.
Imagine…you’re in a new country. New language. New customs. New food (lots of Ramen noodles and soy sauce…even on spaghetti…those first months). New family. New rules. You have to learn how to be a daughter, a sister. You have to learn not only a new language, but how to read in that language…and read in Braille. This was Wen Jun. I could barely make out the ABC’s, and so didn’t find fault in her when she would dissolve into tears at trying to read one page of “Cat in the Hat.” She was almost 14 and was at a pre-school level in math, reading, science, you name it. At a time where her first priority was bonding with a family, she was also having to do the impossible: get up to speed in an educational setting.
6 months after she came home, we moved to Colorado (again, big change) and were introduced to one of the best educational systems I had ever seen. They jumped in with both feet to support her. She started 7th grade, two full years behind her age group, and still only about at a K-1 level.
Here’s where I would like to jump ahead 6 years.
Wen Jun is finishing her last few months of high school. I’ve never in my life witnessed the kind of dogged determination I have seen in my daughter. She has spent thousands of hours studying, catching up, doing orientation and mobility training, learning new technologies, volunteering, and completing the rigorous requirements of the National Technical Honor Society. She exercises every day and eats a stricter paleo diet than this crossfitting mom could ever dream of eating. She spent the entire summer on her own in Beijing, volunteering at her former foster home teaching English and mobility to preschoolers.
This kid knows what she wants, and she goes for it.
But here’s the thing. She may not be able to enter college in the degree program she would like to do, this fall. Wen Jun would like to be a psychologist and help other kids who have come from less-than-fortunate circumstances. But, there are so many gaps in her education that she still has a lot of work to do.
We met with the counselors at the local community college this week. When we left, she was discouraged…a little teary. She was quiet most of the way home, but when we neared our driveway, she said, “Mom, I understand what they’re saying. I know I might not be ready for college. But, I’m not going to give up on my dreams. I’m really disappointed, but I want to figure out what options I have.”
I was so proud of her, at that moment, and also so pissed off. I wanted to stomp my feet and scream and yell about the unfairness of it all. This kiddo has an unbelievable work ethic, and A+ attitude and a wonderful, caring personality. Why is life so damn unfair? She didn’t have a choice in how her life began; why is she being punished for it?
But, I learned from her. I learned that “not now” doesn’t mean “not ever.” I learned that an unfair start in life doesn’t preclude you from chasing your dreams. And I learned that the attitude you choose to have about your hardships determines how you will face your future.
She’s 19, but she’s a miracle and a blessing. She may be 50 when she finally becomes a psychologist, but those patients will be the luckiest patients in town to have someone like her listening to them. She is traveling the tough road with grace and determination, and she WILL be a success.
Thank you, Wen-juney, for giving me permission to tell your story. I hope people are inspired by it.
It’s so easy in life to point out weaknesses in ourselves and in others. It is so inspiring to see someone minimize their weaknesses and maximize their strengths to accomplish something exceptional. Every time we excel at something others say we can’t accomplish, it opens the door to new things that will have the same opportunity for the same outcome! Wen Jun pushes past what the world tells her she is capable of doing on a daily basis.
In 5 1/2 years of being with us she has gone from a kid who was uncertain of herself to a woman that I listen to her advice and wisdom. This is because she is beyond her years in emotional maturity and wisdom. In a room of 100 19 year olds today, she would be the most mature and stable.
Love this girl. Can’t wait to see each hurdle she kicks down in her journey. She WILL have a story that someone will write about due to accomplishing something great. Oh wait, that has already happened. Now it’s just adding to the story.
She is her father’s daughter, that’s for sure. None of us would be where we are without your unconditional love and support.
I will show my two daughters this, I will take every word of this story and clear my pity party attitude and replace it with Wen Ju’s attitude, and I will continue to thank God for my blessings, for the are greater than I could ever imagine. Thank you Linne Family ❤️
THIS is what I hoped for by telling her story. Love you, mama!
Wenjun…. I have seen you grow and blossom , you are such a fighter ! I am and always will be your cheer leader. Larry , Deb, thank you for nurturing her daily and pouring all your love over her, she is an amazing , strong young lady and I love her with all my heart ! Wenjun you rock girl!
Fly my butterfly is always something that Guillaume tells me when the time gets rough…
To you my precious Wenjun : “Fly beautiful butterfly, you wlll make it, I know that I know you will make it !
Love
Delphine
Thank you for being her first mom. She loves you and so do I.
I’ve never met Wen-Jun, but feel like I’ve known her now for years. She’s been my Facebook buddy and I’ve watched her grow and mature from a distance. What an incredible story! My money is on Wen-Jun!! Of course, I’ve know her dad since our college days, and his wonderful bride for a while, too. I really shouldn’t expect any less…it’s in the blood…regardless of where it originated. Wen-Jun is a first class example of not accepting “no” as an answer, something I witnessed in Larry many years ago. This world needs more Wen-Juns, but I’m glad we have the original and look for great things from this very special young woman!! Most of all…I hope one day soon to meet her face-to-face!!!
Aw, what a sweet and wonderful comment, Tom. I hope she meets you someday, too, and you can bond over bacon!! ️Xoxo
Thank you friend, love you
Sharing on my blog’s FB page!
Thank you!! Hope her story inspires many.