Jacksonville man paralyzed in crash and his wife adopt after years of trying to have a baby

Local couple Lauren and Joel Jackson recently became parents, but endured a seemingly endless series of challenges before it became a reality. They credit their faith for giving them the strength to endure.

The Jacksons opened their doors to their newly adopted son, 13-year-old Freddie, in June. The adoption was completed in August. After years in the foster care system, they're giving him a "forever home."

"He was so quiet at first, which is so not true now," Lauren said jokingly.

Joel and Lauren tried having a baby since getting married in 2013, but were unsuccessful.

“We considered not becoming parents at all because that was a reality,” said Lauren.

Joel is paralyzed from the neck down and is nonverbal. He was severely injured in a car accident in 2009.

He speaks using his eyes. He communicates either by Lauren translating his eye movements into words, letter by letter, or technology that allows him to type messages with his eyes, which are then read aloud by robotic voice.

“It was a blessing from God,” said Joel through a loud speaker.

“He and I kind of reconnected through that tragedy and that loss,” said Lauren.

The couple always planned to have a child, and never gave up hope despite the obstacles.

Jewish Family Community Services were able to help them adopt Freddie. The family tells us they’re still in communication with their social worker and the adoption agency, and it’s made the transition easier.

In May, Joel took his first steps as a dad, literally. He was able to walk with the help of therapists as Freddie guided his adopted father’s footsteps.

"[It’s] everything I have ever wanted,” said Joel. “And [I] get to use my knowledge to help him become a young man."

Colleen Rodriguez is CEO of Jewish Family Community Services, an agency that helps people of all faiths find their "forever" families.

"What you find is that the children always find the parents they're supposed to be with, and this is the perfect example of that," said Rodriguez.

She tells us she’s also had experience in adoption, and stories similar to the Jacksons' are why she does what she does.

No matter the difficulties they've faced, they continue to press forward as a family.

Cox Media Group