When complications from the flu took 4-year-old Jade DeLucia’s vision and nearly her life, her family turned to prayer. Now, the little girl is defying the doctors’ expectations and her parents are praising God for her miraculous progress. But they still need prayers!
Jade DeLucia of Eastern Iowa was your typical 4-year-old girl until complications from the flu had her fighting for her life.
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Just days before Christmas in 2019, Jade was battling a cold, but it didn’t appear to be anything serious.
"She was still running around and playing with her sister, so I didn’t really think too much of it," her mom, Amanda Phillips, said.
Unbeknownst to the family, Jade had the flu and complications suddenly caused her health to take an unexpected turn for the worst.
On Christmas Eve, Jade’s parents found their little girl unresponsive.
“I yelled at him,” Amanda said when recalling how she and Jade’s dad tried without success wake their sick child. “I was like, ‘We have to go. We have to go to the emergency room. This isn’t right. Something’s not right with her’.”
Emergency crews air-lifted Jade to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital where doctors braced her parents for the worst.
“I didn’t think I was going to see her again at that point,” Amanda recalled. “I really didn’t. Just from looking at her, I really honestly didn’t think I was going to see her.”
The hospital put Jade on life support and moved her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). They revealed complications from the flu were behind the little girl’s terrifying fight for life.
"She had a condition called acute necrotizing encephalopathy, secondary to influenza B," Dr. Theresa Czech explained.
Support For Girl Facing Life-Threatening Complications From The Flu
Jade was in a coma. The family says an MRI showed extensive brain damage and the doctors didn’t have much hope.
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"If she wakes up, we may not have the same child," the medical team warned, according to an update on the GoFundMe fundraising page.
With little Jade DeLucia in the hospital fighting for her life, friends and family jumped into action.
A neighbor set up a fundraising page to help with Jade’s medical bills. Her grandmother, Courtney Frey, took to social media asking for prayers. A family friend set up the Facebook page Jade's Journey to request prayers, provide updates, and organize additional fundraising efforts.
Jade’s sudden and unexpected complications from the flu are a reminder of just how quickly life can change.
“Love your babies and hold them dear. You never know what could happen,” Jade’s mom advises.
But what happened as prayer warriors cried out to the Lord on her behalf shows God is in control!
Miraculous Recovery Shows Jesus Is Healing Jade DeLucia
Jade spent about 11 days in a coma as her friends, family, and folks from all over covered her in prayer.
And then, one day, Jade woke up and whispered, “Hi mommy.”
Though she was awake and alive, Jade’s journey was far from over. The complications from the flu robbed her of her sight — she woke up blind.
But her family praised God for bringing back their little girl. And they trusted in Him for another miracle, the return of her vision.
A few days later, Jade DeLucia was back home with her family. Nine days after that, her sight returned. And the family stands amazed at all God is doing.
“I sit here this early morning and in awe and shock,” Jade’s grandma Courtney said. “I praise a God whose love has no limits for us all. Not only did a miracle take place for Jade but her journey brought thousands into the light. . . She is our reminder that we are all worthy to be whole, happy, and loved.”
God has not only shown His goodness through how He is healing Jade. The family has felt His love from how the community jumped into action the moment Jade went to the hospital.
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“My heart is broken, yet all of you have held these pieces so they are not lost,” Courtney said while Jade was still in a coma. “God truly has moved through you. For a miracle we pray but I am shown this morning that the miracle is already here.”
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Prayer Warriors Show The Love Of Christ
So many people have rallied together as the hands and feet of Christ, showering the family with love and support. And it has meant so much to them.
After a local news station covered the medical aspect of Jade’s complications from the flu, her mom had a message for everyone following Jade’s journey.
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“While they didn't share my message of the power of our community and the huge international response of everyone who loved, supported, and prayed — know that we all felt it and I will always try to express it anytime I speak to anyone. My entire family is so humbled by your compassion,” Amanda wrote on Facebook.
And what’s incredible is how others have been able to feel God’s love through Jade’s story. Courtney began receiving messages from strangers who’ve had their faith restored after hearing of all the Lord is doing in this sweet girl.
Credit: Facebook/Courtney Frey
"God’s miracle for Jade restored my faith,” Courtney says one woman wrote. “I can't believe I turned my back on God."
Even in the darkest moments, Jade’s Journey has been an inspiring source of encouragement and a testament to the power of prayer. Not just for this faithful family, but for all who’ve followed along.
Continued Prayers For Full Recovery
Though Jade DeLucia is making amazing progress, her fight isn’t finished. She needs all of us to continue praying.
“Please continue to pray for Jades healing,” Courtney said in an update on the Jade’s Journey Facebook page. “It is becoming clearer that her little brain has suffered damage and her vocabulary is very limited and she repeats words.”
Jade’s sight has returned but she still shows signs of brain damage. But after seeing all God has done so far, the family continues to trust Him with her healing.
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“We are continuing to believe and hope in her full recovery,” Courtney says.
Jade’s inspirational journey is a reminder for us all to never give up hope. The power of prayer is very real. And we know God isn’t done working in this sweet little girl’s life!
h/t: KCRG
Featured Image: CNN/Jade’s Journey