There Is Nothing I Cannot Do! A Special afternoon with Jen Bricker

Last Friday I had the pleasure of spending a few splendid hours with my beautiful friend Jen Bricker.

Jen Bricker and Valerie Remy-Milora

We had gathered with a handful of friends for the screening of Eva Longoria’s Versus: Romanian Roots.

Jen Bricker and friends

I met Jen when she first moved to Los Angeles six years ago. She and I are kindred spirits and we bonded immediately. She had moved to LA with her aerial partner to pursue new opportunities and explore new outlets for her art.  Her dream was to eventually branch out on her own as a solo artist and travel the world as a motivational speaker.

She had no idea yet how she would achieve this and was keenly aware of the many obstacles that stood in her way,  but she had that spark in her eye and the spirit of a warrior.  Jen has never been one to let obstacles stand in her way. If anything, they fuel her passion all the more.

That is the spirit that connected us and touched my little Sabrina in a special way.

When Sabrina first met Jen, she was barely two. The two of them sat on a bench at the martial arts studio we frequented, chatting vivaciously and laughing their little hearts out for over and  hour.   On the way home, Sabrina sat unusually quiet for a while before saying with conviction “Maman, I want to be like Jen… I want to cut my legs off.”

My heart tightened.

I took a deep breath trying to find the right words to answer her…

Then realized the profound beauty of what my young daughter had just said.

You see Jen was born without legs. Yet she is an aerialist and competitive power tumbler. She has never wallowed in her misery focused on what she did not have. Rather she celebrates everything that she is, each and every day, and lives by my favorite motto: The is NOTHING I cannot DO! NOTHING!!!

There is nothing I can not do graphic image

As a mother of three girls, that is the most important lesson I want to impart on my daughters, and if I were to judge by Sabrina’s magnetic response to Jen, I think I am on the right track 🙂

At the tender age of two Sabrina felt the power of that way of being and knew she wanted to make it her own.

Jen’s dream is now her reality and I’ve had the privilege of being part of her journey.

My heart fills with joy as I witness the countless  lives that are being transformed by this special lady.

Her story is one faith.  It is a story of courage and perseverance.  It is a story that defies logic and transcends reality in so many ways.  t is a story of complete and unquestioning obedience to God!

I suspect you’ve seen Jen on one of her countless television appearances  — most of them with her biological sister, olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu, her childhood hero.

I’ve celebrated each new milestone in Jen’s journey and watched the many portraits of this phenomenal woman that have aired. None of them captures her story, her spirit, as beautifully as this one by Eva Longoria.  Make sure to watch this beautiful portrait of a truly exceptional woman 🙂

I pray you will someday know the joy of meeting Jen in person….

Enjoy!

Valerie Signature

Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says:

    Jen sounds like such an amazing woman. What an inspiration she is.

  2. She seems like someone who radiates positivity. It’s awesome that she has been so inspirational for you and your daughter!

  3. I think that a lot of us can be inspired by her! Thank you for sharing this story with us.

  4. It’s refreshing to read stories of wonderful people living their dreams. I do hope I get to know her someday.

  5. I loved hearing that your daughter was so impressed by here and found inspiration in her. So many people can’t get past a physical appearanace, it’s great your daughter saw her as a person first.

  6. What an amazing woman! I love the “there is nothing I cannot do” quote – so inspiring and something I need to start repeating to myself throughout the day!

  7. I love this message…. I think we, as adults, lose that dream sometimes when we get swamped down in day to day stuff. Great inspirational article!

  8. That is so touching! I love the kids can pick up on people who have real determination and drive – and even better, want to be like them.

  9. Oh my gosh, what an inspiring woman! What a story, you are blessed to have a great friend.

  10. I LOVE that quote!!! Jen sounds like an amazing woman – I hope I’d get to meet her!!

  11. Love this! It looks like you guys had a blast. Nothing like spending time with good company.

  12. Thanks so much for sharing Jen’s story. She seems like such an amazing woman!

  13. Wow! Jen sounds like an amazing person, and quite an inspiration!

  14. I’m making sure to DVR her segment. I don’t want to miss it. She is such an amazing person.

  15. Jen sounds like an amazing and inspiring woman. How lucky for you both to have found such a great friend in each other.

  16. Wow! So inspiring. Jen sounds like an amazing woman!

  17. What a great post! Sounds like you’ve found a great friend in Jen, a real gem that is hard to find!

  18. what a good friend, i now you are glad you got to be friends

  19. Jen sounds like an amazing person. So inspiring!

  20. What an inspiring post! I’d like all young girls to read it.

  21. Sarah Phillips says:

    Well this article just brought tears to my eyes. What a powerful message. Jen sounds like a beautiful person…a true inspiration. Your daughter could see that instantly and I’m sure young girls and women of all ages do too. Thank you for sharing <3

    • You are most welcome Sarah and I’m thrilled you were so moved by this article. Jen is a special lady and a real inspiration to everyone who meets her. But I love that you get the bigger message of this piece… Children see with the heart! They connect with our mindset, our way if being… And they trust that! They don’t judge or stop to think about the obstacles, they respond to what is good and empowering! Motherhood has truly been the greatest blessing because through my girls I get to be reminded of these simple and beautiful truths 🙂

  22. This sounds like a great afternoon.

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