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Hope Givers, Now Available!
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We all have our stories. Our Hope Givers grant us the space, grace, encouragement and resources to share those stories and to rise from the challenges that we face.
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Hope Givers is the story of the author’s journey through caregiving, terminal illness, grief, and those hardest ubiquitous lessons of adult life. These stories are complimented by thought leaders, professionals and friends whose wisdom and perspectives bring resources and comfort to our toughest times.
Somewhere among these pages, you will find a moment of connection and insight. It's an indisputable truth that while life is complicated and difficult, hope is reserved for each and every one of us. Proof of hope is evident on every thoughtful page.
Reviews
"Hope Givers is a powerful and inspirational culmination of stories, lessons, and resources for cultivating hope while overcoming adversity. Jodi and her many guests reflect on their most vulnerable experiences and share that hope, love, and company are the most essential tools needed to achieve resiliency and success." -Sammi B., Certified Child Life Specialist
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"Jodi's book is an incredibly powerful tool in navigating the challenges that life often throws our way. Despite the hardships and pain, Jodi provides empathy, perspective and wisdom in recognizing and respecting this while seeking out and appreciating the ways in which hope can provide meaning and resilience in working through grief. Jodi has embodied the idea of turning pain into purpose, and I am inspired by her daily."
-Betsy Piccolo, LPC
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Jodi and her brother Jamie, who is a Hope Giver as well.
"Written from the heart. This wonderful memoir relates the transformative value of learning from others when dealing with grief and the many other challenges that life throws in your way. Honest, compassionate, inspirational.’ -Fred Weber, Founder of Weber Scientific, SCORE Mentor
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"Hope Givers will show you how to cope with challenging situations and gain hope. Most importantly, it will show you how to help others gain hope as well.’ -Jack Tatar, Co-Author, “Cryptoassets: The Innovative Investors’ Guide to Bitcoin & Beyond”
"You can’t build a healthy life without a strong foundation. If you were denied that opportunity- for whatever reason- you have the power to build your own."
"Anything that requires change, requires work. There’s no way around that. Anything that requires work, demands action. Sometimes, just the thought of the process is enough to stop us in our tracks."
Sarah has a problem. Every year she and her father march in the Fourth of July Parade. This year is different. Sarah's daddy is sick and can no longer walk. To make matters worse, he relies on a wheelchair, an UGLY wheelchair. Sarah has to decide whether she will listen to her pride and break a father-daughter tradition or listen to her heart and embrace a new one. Through her compassion, Sarah learns not only to accept her father's new wheelchair, but his disability as well. The Stars That Shine is a lovely tribute to all children who live with a disabled or terminally ill parent. Enclosed are resources for ALS patients, their caregivers and children. Although this story is about ALS, the message resonates with all families who live with similar challenges.
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Kevin and Jodi O'Donnell were a young couple raising a toddler when Kevin was diagnosed at age 30 with ALS, a rare and terminal disease. Having never heard of ALS before, the diagnosis dramatically changed their lives. Through her caregiving journey, Jodi later realized that families facing ALS needed better information and support. Drawing on over 20 years of experience working with ALS families, she helped create “Someone I Love Has ALS: A Family Caregiver’s Guide,” a resource written by caregivers and professionals to support others navigating the disease. Although Kevin passed away in 2001 at age 35, their experience led to a greater purpose—the founding of Hope Loves Company®, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and grandchildren who serve as caregivers for people living with ALS.