Without a Word
How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything
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Without a Word
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Narrated by:
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Jill Kelly
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By:
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Jill Kelly
About this listen
“Your son has been diagnosed with a fatal genetic disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy. There is no treatment and no cure. I will do everything I can to help your son. But the disease has already progressed so fast that I don’t think he will live to see his second birthday.” With these words, pro football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, were catapulted from a seemingly fairy-tale life of celebrity into a world of private struggle and medical uncertainty. What the public didn’t know, however, was that behind the scenes lurked more than a family’s pain at the dire prognosis of their only son. Hunter’s illness exposed the troubled depths of a marriage that had long been shadowed by uncertainties of its own. For eight years the future was unwritten, with Hunter defying all medical odds and his parents pursuing every means to save his life. Meanwhile, Jim and Jill’s marriage continued to fail yet was held together only by their love for their kids and their determined hope for Hunter. Though Hunter’s illness prevented him from ever speaking a word, his will and unconditional love spoke volumes to his family and all who knew him. And in time, the light of Hunter’s silent, all-too-brief life shone into the darkened corners of Jim and Jill’s lives, leading them to authentic faith, a restored relationship, and the establishment of a foundation that is reaching other families with terminally ill children around the world. Without a Word transparently shares it all: The heartbreaking moments... and those Jill would love to relive. Moments that add up to a time filled with unimaginable pain... and indescribable joy. Moments that silently transformed the hearts of every member of her family... and changed their lives forever. Moments that may even change your heart and life, too.
©2010 Jill Kelly (P)2010 Oasis AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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"Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone’s life to be changed forever." This is what Laura Sobeich prayed when she found out her 17-year-old son had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her son to God’s will. At that point, Zach Sobiech was just another teenager battling cancer. When his mother told him to think about writing good-bye letters to family and friends, he decided instead to write songs. One of them, "Clouds", captured hearts and changed not one life but millions, making him an international sensation.
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4 out of 5 stars
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What an emotional, inspirational read!
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What listeners say about Without a Word
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeanie Lemon
- 02-05-23
Inspiring & Spiritual
This was a wonderful and extremely emotional true story of the Kelly Family. In their own voices, they take the listener on a journey through the years they were able to enjoy and love life with Hunter.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sandra524
- 12-15-22
LOVED this book!
I love when an audiobook is read by the author because you get a feel for the spirit in which it was written. I really enjoyed the story, it touched on so many things that touch my own life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Peter E. Wells
- 01-27-18
Great read - have never read a book with 5 narrators before
The book was narrated by 5 authors, which was a first for me.
It is obvious this family wants to help people by sharing their story, which is nice.
Not sure I can relate to everything they say, but they have a wonderful heart.
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1 person found this helpful