Women Who Turned Their Mess Into Their Message: Part Three: Mandy Young
This is the final installment in the series about women who turned their mess into their message. You are about to meet one of my favorite people EVER!
I met Mandy at a Hearts at Home conference in March. I was speaking and so was the woman to whom she serves as an assistant, Candace Cameron Bure.
I was excited to meet Candace after having done some online ministry with her through a magazine site she’d started. I never dreamed I’d come home even more excited about meeting her assistant! {Sorry Candace!}
Mandy Young is a breathtaking woman. Her smile, her friendly personality, her mind-blowing story—they all take your breath away.
Mandy only has one leg. And she has a wild story as to why. But that isn’t the important fact. What matters most is that Mandy also knows the one true God. She’s determined that her life here on earth is not at ALL about her. It is all about Him.
Meet her now:
“What happened to your leg?” is a question that Mandy Young is asked everyday. But there is no easy answer. She has lived a life that most would not choose to live. From staying months at a time in hospitals, to 27+ years of research, to being diagnosed as the only person in the world that has her genetic defect. And while her life has been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, she wouldn’t change a single day.
Growing up, she was consumed with illness. But the most devastating was when she lost her left leg and hip to a massive infection.
Her story has been featured in countless newspaper articles like USA Today, in Good Housekeeping Magazine and on T.V. shows like Extra, Montel Williams, NBC Nightly News and international programming like CNN’s Medical Mysteries. She has been honored to be the spokesperson for several organizations and the “Face of Hope” for the new Undiagnosed Diseases Program at the National Institutes of Health.
She’s a southern social butterfly; who loves her family, friends, sweet tea, the color pink and most of all the Lord! She believes she’s one of the cheesiest people you’ll know and that the simple things in life are the best. And long ago she realized her life was too complicated to handle on her own, but with Him everything got easier. “Sometimes I have to remind myself of three things. God will only give you what you can handle, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and when you start to doubt that’s when God gives you more to prove that you can get through it.” says Mandy. And she does it all with a smile on her face.
While sitting at a Christian Women’s Conference she realized “God gave you a story, a personality that has never met a stranger and a mouth that never stops talking…Mandy THIS is what you’re supposed to be doing!! And giving Him the glory for it all!!” So, with her contagious spirit, warm smile and Jesus loving heart, she began sharing her testimony in hopes of helping others overcome obstacles they may be facing.
Mandy, tell us what your childhood was like and what your parents discovered was different about you? Well I started getting life threatening infections at 9 months old and as soon as one was gone another would come along; so honestly my childhood was mostly spent in a hospital or in isolation. I know that sounds sad but honestly it wasn’t that bad. My parents tried to give me as much of a normal childhood as they could while following doctors orders.
What incident led to you losing your leg? There is no easy way to answer this question! Basically I was playing with my sister and I got a small cut on my leg and it got infected. Because I have a crazy little disease it created it’s own infection of Gas gangrene and Clostridial septicemia. Even after the amputation I was only given less than a 3% chance to live and I was the first documented case to have the two infections together since World War 2.
How did you keep from getting bitter and turning away from God? What made you turn to Him instead? I have to credit this to my parents. Faith and laughter have always been a huge part of our lives, through the good and the bad days. And because of their example and guidance I’ve never questioned why God does what He does.
How has losing your leg helped you find your purpose in life? It wasn’t just my leg; it was I realized that God has given me me this genetic mutation that NO ONE else is in the world has. That He could have given this to anyone at any point in time in life and He gave it to ME! What a responsibility but I’m happy to do whatever it is that He asks me to do!
FUN FACT: losing your leg also led to you meeting Kirk Cameron and not only becoming friends with his family but becoming his sister Candace’s assistant. Let us hear about that. I’ve been friends with the Cameron Family for 23 years. But they aren’t just my friends they are honestly like my family. I call them all my sisters and brother and their parents are my California parents! I met Kirk when I was in the hospital when I lost my leg. Then my family and I went to Cali for a long weekend and got to go to the sets of Growing Pains and Full House. Then I attended Kirk’s Camp Firefly (if you don’t know about this camp you should www.campfirefly.com). And now 23 years later we one big happy family!!
What one piece of advice would you give to anyone who is facing a hard place in life—something they never asked for but was done to them anyway? God’s plan is always better than what we have planned for ourselves! This is where my life verse comes in to play Jeremiah 29:11. He gives us a promise that He isn’t trying to harm us but always do what is best for us! It’s hard because we think we know what is best for us but we don’t have a clue! And once I gave that control up my life got so much easier!
Thanks Mandy! {See, I knew you’d love her too!}
Mandy is giving away one of her Lovin’ Life T-shirts to someone who comments on this post. So, tell us what you loved about her amazing story! Oh and be sure to connect with her on Twitter, over at her site and on Facebook {She currently has 832 “Likes” I say we get that to over 1,000. You In? Let me know you liked her page on Facebook or followed her on Twitter and your name will be entered twice for the t-shirt. Thanks!}
All winners from this series announced on Monday.
Mandy you are such an INSPIRATION!! Thank you for sharing your message.
Blessings,
Theresa from CA
THANK YOU for sharing your story!!!!!! What a beautiful person you are with such a beautiful smile! I really like the shirt. Can you tell me how to buy one?
Love this story, thank you for sharing! I especially loved the statement, “God’s plan is always better than what we have planned for ourselves!”. So true. Letting go of what we think is good and giving it to God is scary. This is a wonderful story to show that his “good” is more than our “best” will ever be.
Mandy-your positive outlook is AMAZING and a true testament to God’s power!! Thank you for sharing!!
Mandy your testimony is very encouraging and inspiring. It gives me hope to continue to press on. I love how you have allowed God to use you as a vessel in a mighty way. Your story really impacted me. I have Multiple Sclerosis a disease of the brain and spinal cord and I wonder what I can do or how can God use me. I will keep you lifted in prayer. I hope I find out how I can inspire others inspite of my circumstances. I would love to win a T-shirt. They look awesome! I went on your Facebook page. Liked it also. Have a wonderful and blessed day. Thanks Karen for introducing Mandy to us. Blessings to you
In His Hands,
Love the shirt and the amazing story!
I also loved reading this testimony about Mandy and her love for Jesus. What stood out to me was that her parents were there for her and tried to make her childhood as normal as possible with their faith and sense of humor adding ministering life and love into Mandy’s long hospital stay and her life. We can only give away what we’ve received from Jesus. Parents have an important role to play no matter if their child is healthy or very ill. God bless you, Mandy!! Thanks for your testimony!!
I liked Mandy on Facebook and posted a comment there.
I loved the entire testimony!!!! Especially her feeling that her health issue was a responsibility that she was glad to handle. That has caused a major shift in my thinking.
Your story is very inspiring. I have like you on facebook.
What an awesome testimony. Thank you for sharing your “mess” I am sure your example will inspire many people who are dealing with their own “mess” in life.
What an amazing testimony. I wondered though if she is still prone to infections as she was as a child or if that part is better now. I liked her on Facebook and joined her twitter!
What is there not to like about her story. She is definitely an inspiration to everyone. Her smile is contagious.
I love this inspiring story! I love bring reminded how laughter, along with faith, can be such good medicine for whatever we are facing. And how inspiring when a woman commits to using her “story” to Gods glory rather than allowing satan’s defeating attitude to prevail!
I am so glad to hear your message! My stepson is paraplegic and he has such a loving heart for God! He is getting depressed lately,due to his breathing getting worse,and his back curving. He has a major surgery this month,and instead of winning a t-shirt for me,I’d LOVE to win one for HIM. I absolutely LOVE Jer.29:11…it is one of my faves,probably the top one! My son is the epitomy of that saying. God bless you for sharing and still loving! :)
What a beautiful, inspiring testimony Mandy has given to others! Our God is so good to us and has His amazing plan for our lives if we seek after it! Mandy, thank you for sharing how God has given you His plan and how you share His love and His hope with all of us! We all need it! God bless you!!! I “Liked” your Facebook page and enjoyed getting to know you even more!
Mandy, you are a remarkable women! You have such a beautiful smile, a beautiful attitude, and a beautiful soul. Most people would be bitter, but you see your situation as a chance to uplift God! You are such and inspiration and may God continue to bless you!
I’m now following you on twitter! If you share this incredible story today, I can’t wait to read what you post on twitter! :)
What an amazing personality and perspective! I am honestly not sure what my favorite part is, but I do know I am inspired by her ability to do all things as if she is serving God! I liked her page on Facebook as well.
This so resonated with my life. My daughter has been ill for 4 years with a complex syndrome (and as of now still no diagnosis). It has been an especially difficult week and this encourages me to “live to fight another day”. Thank you.
Dee,
I am Mandy’s mom, Lisa. I read your reply and it really touched me. I’ve been where you are and sometimes the feeling of being alone in a world of “No Diagnosis” is overwhelming itself – not to mention what you’re going through with your child’s illness. God does give us strength we never knew existed within us and I pray that you continue to turn to Him for that strength. If you ever need the support of someone on the outside or just an ear to listen, I am here for you anytime. God Bless your family in this journey that He has you on and I pray that you can find the good in all the bad that surrounds you. From one mom to another, Lisa Young ([email protected])
Thank you so much for this message, Mandy. It makes me realize that all the troubles in my hectic life are nothing compared to yours. And while I just sit here complaining about it, you turn your problems into an awesome, inspirational message for others. Thank you again for your amazing story!
Thank you for this message from Mandy. Her story makes me embrace my life and daily challenges of pain along with all of the tasks that I can no longer accomplish. I keep reminding myself that I am too young to use a walker every day, but you have changed my focus off of me back to my Savior and what he has done for me! Thank you for sharing! I liked her Facebook page too.
WOW! What an amazing God loving woman!! :) Her story is so inspiring…I am going through a difficult time with my marriage, and have been for a year. I have turned it all over to God, and I have grown SO much this past year! Thanks be to God for his compasion and grace in this amazing woman!
PS I “liked” her facebook page! :)
Oh and I just liked her Facebook page!!!
“I realized that God has given me me this genetic mutation that NO ONE else is in the world has. That He could have given this to anyone at any point in time in life and He gave it to ME! What a responsibility but I’m happy to do whatever it is that He asks me to do!” This statement leaped off the page at me. So many times we take what others would see as a negative and throw a pity party. Mandy has taken it and thrown a celebration of life. Thank you for introducing her to us.
Loved this story, Karen! I am now following Mandy on Twitter as well as Facebook!
WOW! God is using you to bless so many. Thank you for sharing your story!