Echo Spring 2023 - 29

which includes not understanding how to read facial
expressions or how to process others' emotions. Jeremy
also lives with sensory issues, especially when he is
surrounded by too much noise and too many people.
As those challenges increased, he would check out to
drown it all out. " He is better at that now, or maybe we are
better at seeing it, " Faith shares. At age 17, however, Jeremy
was still having 2-year-old temper tantrums when he didn't
understand what was happening.
Balance, and even medication, has been key for the family,
yet it hasn't always been easy as Faith balances Jeremy's
needs with the needs of the rest of the family. " I had to make
sure not to spend all my time with Jeremy. " When he was
young, the Huslers were blessed with a community of people
who would step in and help and friends who would take
Jeremy to their home so Faith, Dean and Justin could spend
time together.
" I needed to rest, and he needed time away from me, " Faith
shares of the stresses of working just a half-day with Jeremy.
When he wouldn't listen or would scream or hit Faith, she
would step back and say, " We will try again tomorrow. " Faith
was quick to embrace that some things are just not important
to fight about.
Faith wisely knows she isn't the only one who lives a life not
expected-one that is full of joy but also a lot of stress and
sorrow. She focuses on the importance of prayer, community
and not stressing about unimportant things.
" It's not all up to us, " Faith shares with tears in her voice. " The
Lord gave us this boy, and He has helped us through it all. The
Lord knows what's going on with your child and your life. "
She emphasizes that often " good Christians " don't tell others
what's going on in their life. " But tell people what is happening
and what you need, " she encourages. " It's hard. The Lord will
help. Don't give up. Keep praying, and keep sharing what
you need. "
Faith (Haines '84 & '87) Husler spends time at the
Paddison Memorial Library in Kernersville, N.C.,
where she and her son, Jeremy, often visit.
Photo by Kimberly Dallas Pardue
ECHO 29
Echo Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2023
