HAPPY VALLEY — It’s in her nature to nurture.
She’s coaxed countless seeds into flowers and herbs, and coached her pet cockatiel to tweet the theme from “The Andy Griffith Show.” Her menagerie includes three dogs, two birds, a pair of goats, a cat and some chickens.
At 35, Gypsie Jones’ knack for nourishing will soon be tested in a whole new way: motherhood. Jones, a paraplegic since a 1989 auto wreck threw her 50 feet from the car, is both ecstatic and a wee bit apprehensive about the birth of her daughter next month.
“I was pretty lucky,” she said of the wreck.
“I’m here to do something.”
She and husband John, who has a fledgling dump-truck business and does odd jobs, were married in 1996. And the fruits of her garden help bring in a few dollars at north state flea markets.
“The last few years, we felt like adopting,” she said, after resigning herself to never getting pregnant. “I said, ‘I give up. I accept it.
’”
Then she met a woman who predicted she’d be pregnant soon, with a baby girl. Two months later, that came true.
“It’s really, truly thrilling,” she said.
It’s considered a high-risk pregnancy because of her age and paralysis — she won’t actually feel the contractions — but she’s optimistic she’ll have a natural delivery. She’s been closely monitored by doctors.
But what concerns her is mobility.
While she has a beautiful crib, she says, it needs to be modified to accommodate access by wheelchair.
A friend of a friend got her in touch with Jennifer Cutuli, who works with the Children First Parent Partner Program through the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council of Shasta County.
Jones needs not only the crib adapted with a special gate, but also a changing table that allows her to roll her wheelchair underneath.
“Those are the two big needs,” Cutuli said. “I have the whole plans (for the crib), even down to the screws you need. I have just done hours and hours and hours of Internet research.
”
But so far, no one’s come forward to do the work. Cutuli said she approached the mechanical engineering department at Chico State University, to no avail.
Over several years and between surgeries, Jones went back to school and ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, and she’s done some group counseling.
But for the moment, she’s focused on her new life.
“When you have a newborn child, there are all kinds of different issues, like getting the child from the floor or from the changing table,” Jones said. “I can’t use a stroller.
The first months or so are going to be really difficult.”
On the eve of Mother’s Day, Cutuli thinks Jones will be a great one.
“She’s pretty incredible,” Cutuli said.
“I think she’ll be the can-do-spirit kind, knowing there are challenges she can overcome. She’s got a really supportive husband, and they’ll make a great team.”
Jones picked up a few lessons from her parents.
“Always keep trying,” she said they taught her. “There is no such thing as ‘I can’t,’ and really, just depend on yourself.”
She’s realistic, knowing her jungle of houseplants and animals that surround her are going to have to share.
“Now they won’t get as much attention,” she said. “My baby will be the world.”
Reporter Janet O’Neill be reached at 225-8216 or joneill@redding.
com.
Posted by cn on May 12, 2007 at 7:15 a.m.
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Congratulations!
Posted by myfourlittleones on May 12, 2007 at 8:36 a.m.
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Everyone that can show a child love, respect, and responsibility, should get a chance to be a parent. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I pray that your life will be filled with happy giggles, chubby legs, and lots of smiles.
Posted by GusMcCrae on May 12, 2007 at 8:38 a.m. ( )
A much better story than the Blind Senior Citizen of Shasta County giving birth.
Posted by Pluto_Grande on May 12, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. ( )
Where can we see the plans?
Posted by californiamom on May 12, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. ( )
contact the lions club to help build that crib and changing table!
!
Posted by sonomajer on May 12, 2007 at 6:46 p.m.
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I'm confused...
her husband does odd jobs. Why can't he modify the crib? If it's outside of his skill set, why doesn't she hire a carpenter or handyman.
That's what I do when I need something done around the house. Someone with a bachelor's degree ought to be able to figure that out. If she and her husband can't handle this issue without the help of service agencies, how are they going to handle the inumerable difficulties that go along with parenthood?
Why, exactly, is this newsworthy? I disagree with GusMcCrae..
.this belongs in the circular file along with the blind senior citizen giving birth.
Posted by dorene on May 12, 2007 at 10:38 p.
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sonomajer you must be confused. The story is to share how people can overcome horrible circumstances that come their way and to excel in life and to share there experiences with others.
This is a awesome story and I pray all goes well for them. I hope that someone with the experience and knowledge of building the crib to standards of the wheelchair will come forward to do this as they will bless this family as well as there own. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Give freely, love unconditionally and spread good cheer. I much rather read stories like this instead of the high crime rate and the murders that this county has seen. Thank you Record Searchlight
Posted by sonomajer on May 12, 2007 at 11:26 p.
m. ( )
Sorry, dorene. Still confused as you still haven't explained why she doesn't just hire a handyman or have her husband do it.
Her pregnancy is something she and her husband chose to undertake. She was able to do hours and hours of reasearch, so why not just provide a paid handyman or carpenter with those plans? It is HER responsibility; she did CHOOSE the pregnancy.
However, since you're spreading good cheer and unconditional love, perhaps YOU will pay for the modifications.
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