Auriana and Evan’s Story
Auriana C. was born on March 13, 2012. Her parents learned of her abnormal newborn screening results by a phone call from her physician several days after her birth. Around the time that Auriana was born, her father began having medical issues. He was suffering from vertigo, which made it difficult to help care for his newborn daughter – especially given the fact that Auriana’s MCADD required that she be fed every couple of hours. After having a CAT scan, Auriana’s father, Evan, was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation of the brain, a condition in which brain tissue extends into your spinal canal. Evan was faced with an upcoming surgery, but doctors first ordered an MRI. The results of the MRI were nothing short of a miracle. Evan was told that there was no detection of any brain abnormality.
Evan and Auriana were about to face even more hardship. But Evan found comfort in Jesus. It was important to him to share his testimony with us because he believes that with Christ, all things are possible. He is living proof of that.
Evan was a single parent, and he knew that parenting a child with MCADD would be difficult. Around this time though, Evan had an experience that he says is difficult to even describe. He encountered Jesus. “It was as if I knew him my entire life and he knew me and I wasn’t scared to see him. He was very very peaceful just looking at me with sort of a smile on his face. It was life changing.”
Not long after this divine encounter, Evan and Auriana became homeless. They were living friend to friend with a pack and play. Evan turned to the Lord. He spent lots of time reading and studying the Bible. He said, “I had no vision of hope at all, [but] I still had peace in my heart that was telling me everything was going to be okay.”
Evan and Auriana moved in with a friend of Evan’s. His friend, Brock, helped him care for Auriana. (Brock was on disability so he was able to stay home to care for Auriana while Evan worked.). It was about this time that Evan’s career as a magician began to take off. Eventually he was able to take over the two bedroom apartment that he, Brock and Auriana had shared. Brock moved in with his sister. But soon, tragedy once again struck Evan and Auriana’s life. Brock suffered a heart attack and passed away.
Evan’s faith has kept him strong throughout these events in his life. He is now happily engaged. He soon will be doing magic full time. Auriana, despite seven to ten hospitalizations as an infant and toddler, has not had a hospital visit in almost three years! Evan said, “God is so good and has gotten me through so much. I love sharing my story and hope it can bring others to Christ and can give them some peace in dark times.”
We at Minutes Matter – MCADD thank Evan and Auriana for sharing their story. Evan has very generously offered to perform his magic in or around Lincoln, Nebraska should anyone wish to host a fundraiser for Minutes Matter – MCADD. Please contact me at Beth@MinutesMatter-MCADD.org if you’re interested. We hope to get Evan and Auriana to North Carolina for a show as well! Be sure to click on the link below to preview Evan’s magic. WOW!
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