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Mom Celebrates Son's First Job: "No One Thought He Would Live to Be an Adult

"Joshua has changed each one of us"

By Amy ChristiePublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Photo credit: justthebells10/ Instagram

Heather and Luke Bell of Michigan have eight kids. After learning they couldn't have any more kids of their own, they started fostering to grow their loving family. Joshua was the first child the couple adopted, and now he's making all of them proud by starting a career.

His adoptive mom is excited and close to tears knowing that he can actually begin on his first job when he wasn't given that many odds of growing up.

What are the details?

Heather and Luke own a masonry company and a poultry farm. They first met Joshua while going to foster care classes after getting their license.

Heather still remembers the special moment when she shared a look with Joshua.

"He was adorable. I saw him and fell in love immediately, and I wanted to see if he was able to be adopted," she said.

"Joshua was shaken, which caused some cognitive issues. No one thought he would live to be an adult," the adoptive mom shared with The Epoch Times.

Even though they could get no clear answers about Joshua, the couple refused to give up on him.

They rallied around him with their other kids, and everyone supported him as he gradually started to overcome obstacles.

"He always smiled, even when he had to struggle," Heather recalls.

Joshua is now 21, and he can do things no one imagined he would achieve. He interviewed for his first job, and he was chosen to start at a local grocery store.

Photo credit: justthebells10/ Instagram

"He had an interview with the manager, and he got the job right away. He was proud and excited to tell his dad that he got the job. He started the next week," the proud mom said.

Heather shared his first day at work on social media, and they both received many positive comments on love and the wonderful bond families share that helps them surpass all struggles.

"Hope the job is going well. I love it when people beat their odds. Good job, mama. Good job, Josh," one user wrote on seeing the touching footage.

Joshua's duties include helping to keep the sidewalk clean, bagging groceries, supporting customers who can't push their carts, and unloading their groceries inside their cars.

He likes his job and particularly enjoys that he can clock in himself, make his own lunch, and always stays organized to keep track of his schedule.

"He's doing such a great job; he tells everybody we meet that he has this job,' Heather said, adding that many customers reached out to tell her what a great employee Joshua is and how positive and hard-working he is each and every day.

The couple wasn't fazed one bit about Joshua's history or potential health issues, and time has definitely proven them right.

"We knew Joshua could be and do anything he wanted to do, so we worked hard with him to help him overcome many obstacles and help him the best we can to have a great life," Heather explained.

As his adoptive mom revealed, Joshua was excited to be with them and finally have a home where he could feel safe. And that's what helped him become stronger each day. The couple and all his siblings celebrated every milestone Joshua achieved as he learned to crawl, talk, walk, feed himself, and even cook.

The bond they shared also made it possible for Joshua to be confident about communicating his needs.

The young man had a "hockey skating party" for his birthday, and Heather is constantly amazed by the difference love has made in his life.

He's funny, smiles most of the time, and has become his dad's "second man" around the farm. Joshua also loves going shopping with his mom and is close to his siblings, who all care for him.

Heather and Luke fostered kids for ten years and adopted six of their eight kids.

As far as Joshua is concerned, they believe he is a fighter who will always work hard to set aside misconceptions and defeat all odds against him.

"I want everybody to know how proud I am of Josh. He was born healthy, but then he was shaken and had to fight for every accomplishment. I believe that Joshua is thankful for each day he has," the mom added.

Heather also feels that Joshua changed their family permanently, giving them a lesson in positivity, determination, and dedication.

"I feel that Joshua has changed each one of us in our family, just because of how he's overcome so much; he's a blessing to our family," the proud mom concluded.

© 2022 Amy Christie

Photo credit: justthebells10/ Instagram

Originally published on NewsBreak

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About the Creator

Amy Christie

Passionate writer and journalist, striving to create meaningful connections.

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