In the heart of Michigan, a remarkable story unfolds, showcasing resilience, faith, and the unsung heroes of our society: caregivers. Jessica Ronne’s journey began in 2004 when a routine ultrasound revealed that her unborn son had suffered a stroke while still in the womb. Faced with the option to terminate the pregnancy, Ronne and her husband chose a path of faith, believing in God’s plan for their child.
When Lucas was born, he came into the world “screaming with life,” and Ronne embraced her role as a caregiver with unwavering love. However, life took another turn when her husband was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Over the course of three years, Ronne juggled her husband’s illness while raising four young children, including Lucas. In 2010, she found herself a widow at 33, yet her faith provided a foundation of strength.
“My kids got me out of bed every day. I had to keep living for them,” Ronne shared. It was through this crucible of grief that she discovered a profound resilience, leaning into her faith to find the strength to carry on. “Even as I buried my husband, I promised him that our children wouldn’t lose two parents—one to death and one to depressive grief.”
Today, Ronne is a passionate advocate for parent caregivers, a community often overlooked. Many families with special needs children face isolation, and Ronne has made it her mission to bring their struggles to light. In 2015, she married Ryan, a fellow parent who had lost his spouse to cancer, and together they welcomed a daughter, blending their families into a vibrant household of ten.
As the founder of The Lucas Project, Ronne works tirelessly to provide support, resources, and recognition for families like hers. Her advocacy includes developing care packages, resource databases, and support groups designed to ease the burdens of caregiving. “There are a lot of good people in the world who are willing to help if they know what the needs are,” she explained. Yet, she emphasized that society often fails to recognize the unique challenges faced by families with special needs.
Ronne has also produced the documentary “Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers” to shed light on the isolation and mental health struggles these families endure. “We have a tsunami of children with special needs aging into adulthood,” she warned. “If we don’t step in with resources, it will be detrimental to society.”
She believes the Church has a crucial role to play in addressing these needs, but many congregations hesitate due to fear of the unknown. “Helping doesn’t have to mean direct care for the child,” Ronne said. “It can be as simple as mowing a family’s lawn or bringing over a meal. Small groups within a church could adopt a family, learning together how to meet their needs.”
Ronne encourages caregivers to view their work as sacred, even amidst the chaos. “Caring for another individual is the holiest work we can do this side of eternity,” she stated. This perspective is central to her latest book, “Caregiving with Grit and Grace,” which emphasizes the eternal significance of caregiving.
In February, Lucas moved into a group home, a decision that Ronne once thought she would never make. “It’s been a transition for all of us, but he’s thriving,” she said, reflecting on the newfound peace this change has brought to her family. “For years, weekends were overwhelming. Now they’re relaxing. My husband and I can take a nap if we want to.”
As National Caregivers Month shines a light on the 16.3 million caregivers in the U.S., Ronne urges society to recognize their sacrifices. “Many caregivers think, ‘Nobody can do it like me. I’ll be fine,’” she noted. “But we’re exhausted. Let people bless you by providing a meal or some respite so that you can rejuvenate yourself.”
Ronne’s mission is clear: to ensure that the stories and struggles of caregivers are seen and heard. “I hope that caregivers feel permission to feel anger, joy, and pain,” she said. “It’s such a juxtaposition when you’re a caregiver, because there can be such joyful moments, but there are painful moments too. It’s learning to live in that tension of joy and pain.”
In a world that often overlooks caregivers, Ronne stands as a voice of hope and encouragement, reminding us all of the sacredness of caring for one another.