“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.
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"Hunter, what amazing little boy he must have been. The book was sad, but uplifting at the same time. Jill took you on the journey of caring for a sick child ,but she also showed you what knowing God can mean to each one of us. " — Jan (5 out of 5 stars)
"Hunter, what amazing little boy he must have been. The book was sad, but uplifting at the same time. Jill took you on the journey of caring for a sick child ,but she also showed you what knowing God can mean to each one of us. "
" I recommend a book by Mary Beth Chapman, Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope, to read about another prominent family struck by tragedy and the effect it had on their life of faith. "
" I did enjoy this book. I did think it was very inspiring. I liked how they focused mainly on their son's disease. I did not need to know about their struggling marriage. I would recommend this book. "
" As a Christian, this ARC book just kept striking me the wrong way on so many levels that I finally gave up at chapter 6. "
" I'm really surprised by the low ratings people gave this. I didn't find anything not to like! "
" This is a life changing book. A Must Read. "
" Such a sad story about their baby boy, Hunter but what an inspirational story of faith. "
" Very Touching story of a family who deal with the most heartbreaking events, yet somehow manage and come out better on the ither side. "
" This is one of those books I could not put down!! That is rare for me. I highly recommend it! "
" I cried on every page Jill Kelly's grief as well as total abandon for her son Hunter is palpable on every page. What an amazing story of how their lives are changed for Hunter having been in it! "
" I read this book after learning of a family who faced a similar medical situation as the Kelly family. It's very eye opening and insightful regarding a family with a terminally ill child. It wasn't the smoothest read and I skimmed through some of her "Journals." "
" A must read. What an inspiration Jill was. "
" Hunter, what amazing little boy he must have been. The book was sad, but uplifting at the same time. Jill took you on the journey of caring for a sick child ,but she also showed you what knowing God can mean to each one of us. "
" She's way too religious for my understanding/liking, but I can appreciate the struggle and love they had for their little boy. He was a miracle and thanks to his life (six years longer than expected), the world is more aware of the disease. "
Jill Kelly is the wife of retired Buffalo Bills quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. When her son, Hunter, was born with a fatal disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy, she and Jim founded the Hunter’s Hope Foundation to raise awareness and research funds for this devastating disease. They’ve shared their story nationally on Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, ESPN, and in USA Today, Reader’s Digest, and People. The Kellys reside in New York with their two daughters.
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