Of all the people who may have been the inspiration for dedicating a special day to mothers, one such woman from the area is well-deserving.

 

Nicole Marie Schmidt.

 

Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.

 

Schmidt embodies all these attributes and more.

 

Nicole is a mother of three, Lindsey (20), Hannah (18) and Andrew (11). Though raising any kids nowadays is a challenge, Nicole and her husband Paul have had to deal with unforseen circumstances due to their youngest, Andrew.

 

Andrew was born with Pallister Killian Syndrome 11 years ago and the family has had to adjust their lives to accommodate this rare disorder that causes physical disformities as well as deafness and vision impairment. Andrew also is crippled and Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, an overgrowth disorder usually present at birth, characterized by an increased risk of childhood cancer and certain congenital features. It also can also cause child behavior problems.

 

Andrew was not diagnosed until the age of five and had three chromosome studies that proved negative.

 

“My advice for anyone who is faced with a disabled child is to take a deep breath,” Nicole said. “ It is ok to cry and to be mad, angry and grieve for what you thought your life with your child was going to be like.  Life isn't fair, but pick yourself up as fast as you can and focus on what you can do versus what you can’t!”  

 

She’d also like the mother of a disabled child to focus on the strengths of their child and learn how to better connect with them emotionally, physically and cognitively.  

 

“Do what you need to support yourself, your spouse and family,” she says. “Enjoy the silver linings of your every day because in every situation there is reason to be thankful.”

 

Fortunately for Nicole, she and her family rallied around Andrew’s disability and have made him feel part of this world that sometimes has a hard time comprehending his condition.

 

While nurturing and rearing Andrew since birth, Nicole and Paul have not neglected their duties in nurturing their two older daughters into two fine young women. Lindsey and Hannah have been honor roll students and exceptional athletes throughout their high school years and have an immense love for their little brother and care for him during most of their free time.

 

“I hope my girls learn and perfect that art of resiliency (as they get older),” Nicole says.  “Patience,  forgiveness and perseverance.  I hope they go through life coloring outside the lines and to think outside the box as well as not judge people as everyone has a story to tell.” 

 

Lindsey is just finishing up her sophomore year at NDSU where she is thriving in her biology degree and completed her year as an RA. She plans to go on to graduate school for genetic counseling. 

 

Hannah is wrapping up her senior year at Becker where she has competed in sports (track, gymnastics) and is graduating as one of five ranked first in her class.  She will be attending the University of Minnesota next year for chemical engineering.  

 

Andrew has spent most of the past year home from school due to complications from his hip surgery, but he is showing signs of improvement.

 

“I think it is great joy to watch our kids grow and achieve things they had set out to do and to cheerlead along the way,” says Nicole. 

 

Nicole feels blessed to have such loving children who contribute to the motherly duties of raising Andrew as he ages. As most people in this community realize, the Schmidts won’t let Andrew’s affliction keep them from celebrating life’s journey.

 

Nicole is proud of her children and realizes they all three have overcome adversity when faced with life challenges.  Instead of shutting down and giving up, all of her kids show incredible resiliency.  

 

“They all could have thrown in the towel and came up with many excuses of reasons why they couldn't, or shouldn't,” she said. “But instead, they have chosen the roads of why they can, and they do.  They inspire me on a daily basis.”

 

Nicole has a nursing background and worked at a local hospital for nine years in the emergency room, post-partum/nursery and medical/surgical units. She most recently worked in the wound care center the last two years of her job. 

 

Nicole enjoys singing, music, cooking, entertaining, downhill skiing, water skiing, swimming, aerobics (most days and time spent with her family and friends. She has also found a lot of healing in advocating for her son and children with like needs.

 

Nicole and Paul were able to get Dec. 4 recognized in the State of Minnesota as PKS Awareness Day, signed off by Gov. Mark Dayton a few years ago. The Schmidts continually hold events throughout he community to bring awareness to PKS and are doing all they can to help doctors find a diagnosis and cure.

 

Nicole and Paul haven’t stopped at just loving their own biological kids — they took in foreign exchange student from Italy (Alessandro Trapletti) who had been in Texas for the first half of his program.

 

“Alessandro has a sister, Sara, with PKS, which is how we got connected,” said Nicole.  “His family was just here to visit and I believe we have made life long connections now because of PKS across the world.

 

 This experience helped us get out of our box and it helped take the focus on everything that went wrong with Andrew and his surgery to creating new experiences. It was very positive and it was great timing for our family.”  

Faith usually plays a significant role in families who have unconventional offspring and the Schmidts have had to bolster their faith in coming to an understanding of God’s plan for them.

 

“I can honestly say I thought God hated me for what He handed  us,” she said.  “Incredible challenges that I didn't think at the time we could handle.  What I have learned is that He showed me through Andrew that we have gifts that otherwise may not have been used.  We have a gift of resiliency, of thankfulness in dark times, forgiveness and determination.  I don't know if our family would have stretched ourselves like we have if we didn't have Andrew.”

 

Paul and Nicole will be celebrating their 23rd year of marriage this July. They both attended Pelican Rapids High School and were just friends until they met to celebrate Nicole’s 21st birthday in Fargo.

 

Sunday for Mother’s Day, another kind of celebration will occur for a woman who certainly deserves the honor.