Faith Orr: Defying the Odds from the Start and a Look at What's Ahead

By Tim Orr

There’s something truly remarkable about my daughter, Faith. Ever since she was born, she has consistently defied the odds, proving time and again that she is an overcomer. Faith has big dreams—she often talks about living independently, getting married, and starting a family. Her guiding light is these goals, and she works toward them daily. To help her reach those dreams, we recently enrolled her at Columbus North High School in the Life Skills program, which will teach her practical skills for independence. After high school, she plans to join a three-year program at Ivy Tech to continue preparing for the life she envisions. I do not doubt that she will accomplish these goals with her determination. But Faith’s story of overcoming didn’t begin here—it started much earlier, even before she was born.

Faith, the Bumblebee: A Metaphor of Defying the Odds

A month or so before Faith was born, God laid something special on my late wife Michelle’s heart: Faith would be her bumblebee. This image of the bumblebee has become a lasting illustration of who Faith is—an overcomer who defies the odds. The bumblebee often symbolizes overcoming because it defies common expectations and natural limitations. According to aerodynamics, the body of a bumblebee is too large and heavy for its wings, which are small in comparison. Scientifically, it was once thought that bumblebees shouldn’t be able to fly. Yet, despite this seeming impossibility, the bumblebee flies with ease. This idea resonates deeply with Faith’s journey.

Like the bumblebee, Faith has faced what seem insurmountable challenges since she was born. But just as the bumblebee soars against all odds, Faith has consistently overcome obstacles with a strength that can only be explained by God’s divine plan for her life. She wasn’t supposed to take a bottle that early, yet she did. She wasn’t expected to walk before age two, yet she took her first steps at just 20 months. Faith wasn’t supposed to excel in areas that require fine motor skills, but she mastered them through sheer will and determination. Every victory she’s claimed has not simply resulted from her efforts but reflects God's faithfulness. Each step of her journey reflects the bumblebee—rising above limitations and proving that all things are possible with God.

A Journey Marked by Resilience and God’s Plan

As Faith grew older, her journey continued to reflect the same determination we saw in those early months. Her ability to take her first steps before doctors thought possible is a reflection of the same resilience she’ll need to one day live independently and build a family. Michelle’s unwavering faith in God’s plan for Faith gave her the foundation to soar, just like the bumblebee. Michelle believed that God had a special plan for Faith’s life, and her belief in Faith’s potential was constant, even when challenges seemed overwhelming. This faith that Michelle passed on to Faith continues to inspire her today.

From the very beginning, Faith’s story has been one of defying expectations. When Michelle and I brought her home from the hospital, we were told Faith would likely need a G-tube for several months, possibly even a year or more. We were prepared for that journey, feeding her through the tube several times a day but always starting with a bottle to help her practice. It didn’t take long before we saw Faith’s incredible drive. At first, she could only drink a small portion of the bottle. But each week, she improved.

When we traveled to Michigan to visit Michelle’s family for Faith’s three-month birthday, she was ready to surprise us all. Surrounded by family, Michelle proudly shared how much Faith had progressed. During that visit, Faith drank her entire bottle for the first time. The room erupted in applause, celebrating this milestone. It was a defining moment—not only for Faith but for all of us. It marked the last time she ever needed her G-tube for feeding.

This was just the beginning of Faith’s journey of overcoming obstacles. When she was two, I took her to the doctor’s office for a check-up. While we waited, Faith watched another child effortlessly climb onto a chair. That little girl was younger than Faith but seemed more physically capable. I could see Faith observing her closely, and after the girl left, Faith tried to climb onto the chair herself. She struggled and couldn’t quite manage it. But I didn’t know that this moment ignited Faith’s determination.

Faith immediately set her sights on a similar chair when we got home. She tried multiple times but couldn’t quite do it. After a small fall and a bloody lip, I thought she might give up, but that’s not who Faith is. After dinner, she went right back to the chair and, with a bit of encouragement, climbed up successfully. Michelle and I were overjoyed, but the moment was Faith’s victory—she had conquered that chair, her first of many such victories.

Faith’s resilience extended beyond physical feats. She joined the First Steps program early, working with therapists on everything from motor skills to speech. Despite having low muscle tone, Faith refused to be slowed down. Her physical therapist worked tirelessly with her, and soon enough, Faith was crawling and walking well before the doctors expected. At just 20 months, she took her first independent steps. It was as if we were witnessing a miracle, seeing our little girl defy expectations again.

Faith’s occupational therapist helped her master everyday tasks like feeding herself and dressing. Her speech therapist introduced sign language, which helped Faith communicate long before her speech fully developed. Her first spoken word was “da,” while Michelle insisted it was just babbling, I knew it was her way of calling out to me. Today, her vocabulary continues growing, but it remains behind her peers. Yet, her desire to learn new words and communicate never wanes.

One of Faith’s greatest passions is reading. Long before she could understand the words on the page, she would mimic us reading to her. By age three, she was “reading” books to her dolls, creating stories from the pictures, and dramatizing them with her expressions and voice. Her love for reading has grown, and now she fills her free time with books. Despite the challenges her disability presents in comprehension, Faith pushes forward, reading with a joy that seems to come naturally. She’s personable and full of life, lighting up every room she enters with her smile and energy.

Faith's Biggest Test

But not all of Faith's victories have been over physical or developmental challenges. Life presented us with a heart-wrenching test that no one could have anticipated. It was a day that began like any other—a trip to the park, followed by a visit to Michelle's mom. Michelle and Faith had plans to visit Michelle’s sister later that day, but they never made it. An hour passed, and Michelle’s mom began to worry. I wasn't too concerned when I got the call that Michelle hadn’t arrived. Perhaps they’d stopped for something to eat. But soon, that concern grew into a gut-wrenching fear as Michelle’s mom contacted the police.

The next call I received changed everything. Michelle and Faith had been in an accident, and they were being rushed to the hospital. It wasn’t a typical accident—Michelle had lost consciousness while parked on the side of the road with Faith in the backseat. Faith later told us, “I tried to wake Mommy up.” A passerby saw what was happening, stopped, and called for help.

When I arrived at the hospital, I was told Michelle was gone. Faith, her bumblebee, was still by her side. My world shattered at that moment. Michelle had been the rock for both of us, her faith in God an anchor for our family. I would raise Faith alone, but I knew that Michelle’s spirit would always be with us, guiding our daughter as she continued her journey.

Soaring into the Future with God’s Guidance

Michelle and I had always believed in Faith’s potential. Michelle, my greatest partner in this journey, was crucial in nurturing Faith’s drive to overcome every obstacle she faced. When Michelle passed away, her love and faith continued to inspire Faith and me. Michelle’s unwavering belief in God’s plan for Faith gave her the foundation to soar, just like the bumblebee. Michelle believed that God had equipped Faith with everything she needed to rise above life’s challenges, and that belief became the bedrock of Faith’s journey.

Now, as Faith embarks on her high school journey, she has her sights set on even greater goals. She is determined to live independently, start a family, and build her own life. The Life Skills program at North High School will equip her with the tools she needs, and with her perseverance, I have no doubt she will continue to defy expectations, just as she has done from the beginning.

Faith’s story is one of triumph, not only over the challenges presented by her disability but also over the limitations others might have placed on her. She is an overcomer through and through. As she moves toward her future, I know she will continue to conquer every obstacle with the same determination and grace that has defined her journey.

Just like the bumblebee, Faith is a living example that despite what the world may say is impossible, she can rise above and achieve the extraordinary. God’s plan for Faith was clear even before she was born, and every day, I see her living out that purpose—soaring above life’s limitations, guided by the love of her late mother, Michelle, and the unwavering hand of God.

Tim Orr is a scholar, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, the University of Tehran, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.

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