FRESH MANNA MINISTRIES FOUNDATION

                                               Who is my neighbor ? 

 Jonathan Woodcock and young man who has outlived his expected time living with the disease of   Duchenne  Muscular Dystrophy. This Disease  A genetic disorder whereby the muscles weaken and eventually atrophy. Muscles begin to weaken and groups, first the muscles in his legs weakened to the point he could no longer walk which put him in a wheelchair by the age of 9 years old. at age 11 years old, the muscles in the arm speak and weakening each year. In 1999, he had a major surgery to help him sit up straight, there was a metal rod inserted in his back.  By 2002, at the age of 17 he could not feed himself. He had lost all muscle strength in both arms, hands and fingers. His knee joints are contracted. There is no control of legs, arms or fingers. He has lost the use of all muscles, unable to control anything on his body, but his right thumb, and thank God for the right thumb. This right thumb operates his wheelchair and he can operate his computer using a special Mouse, a trackball mouse. He graduated from high school in 2003. He went on his prom and attended his school trip to Disney World in Orlando Florida with his classmates, a nurse and parents. Eventually the lungs were affected, so he began using a non-invasive ventilator in 2006, to help with shortness of breath. He also had a peg tube inserted for feeding because he lost weight. He was 87 lb. This way at night he would get cans of formula through his peg tube.  1 of 3  Jonathan continued in school through all of these odds he was determined. Jonathan start attending Camden County College attending in person not online in 2003.  After that, he transfer to Rutgers University In Camden in August 2006 he attended in person not online.  Jonathan loves to socialize, therefore through the rain, snow and sunshine he was in the classroom. Whatever nurse was on duty had the honor of escorting him to school and back in his wheelchair accessible van. This young man has a passion To succeed and become a certified history teacher. With a few setbacks in his health, Jonathan graduated from Rutgers in May 2011 with a Bachelor's Degree in History.  In 2013 he received his teacher certification and I guess you asked are wondering how did he accomplish all of these assignments with the use of only his right thumb Mobility God was on his side.  When asking who is My Neighbor?? This is My Neighbor a Young Man who is determined to live and see life as best as it can be. He does not eat anything by mouth he is completely dependent on nursing and Family Care. I have never seen such determination to live to be a part of life. He is extremely talented and gifted. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and with assistance goes to monthly meetings. He elevated within the organization from being a member to becoming the President in the organization serving a term of 2 years. Even though his Physical and Mobility restricts him his spirit is free.                         

  Even though he is unable to do anything for his self he is truly My hero because he enjoys life the air that we breathe the sunshine and the little things that we take for granted.

His dream in 2018 was to go on a cruise.  We, the body of Fresh Manna Ministries, started a go fund to raise funds to make his dream come true.  There were enough funds raised that paid for his cruise cost and his two nurses along with his cabin mate who has Cerebral Palsy and had Never been on a cruise or out of the country. His cruise cost all medical supplies, oxygen needed and scooter for roommate  all covered. And all tours were paid in full. We cruised for 8 days out of New York to Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.  Fresh Manna Ministries in motion this is Who We Are we are there wherever the need is. We need your help this could not have happened without the support of others.  Because of many many people seeing the vision and uniting  If ever there was one deserving  a trip like this it was this young man Jonathan.

Thanks to all who supported our efforts.

  So who is my neighbor ?????  Jonathan is my neighbor and my hero.  We Thank God for the opportunity to be a blessing in his life

                                     Fresh Manna Ministries.  

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