July 29: From Tragedy to Triumph

After her newborn son was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, Alexis Spellen felt helpless. Sadly, her son didn’t survive.  The nurses who assisted her during this time, however, changed her life—and her career path. Their compassion and support fueled her desire to become a nurse herself.

Eighteen years later, Spellen is a nurse consultant in New York City’s Washington Heights, helping create long-term care plans for seniors. She works with patients and their families, making sure they are well-informed about their health and how to best stay engaged in everyday life, often with the help of home aides, nutritionists, physical therapists and social workers.

Spellen’s dedication has inspired her two surviving sons as well: one is a registered nurse and the other is in nursing school. She believes that, out of every tragedy, you can still create positives.  As she told the New York Post’s Cara O’Flynn, “When the tragedy occurred, I knew what I needed to do, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I guess it was my calling.”

What is God calling you to do?

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,

Plans…to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah

29:11)

Lord, help me navigate the storms of life.