People describe Janey Carter as a talented young lady with an infectious smile. It is contagious! You are drawn into her world, wanting to know more of her story.
On July 11, 2017, Janey’s life resembled that of a typical 17-year-old teenager. She was looking forward to the first day of volleyball practice and her upcoming senior year of high school.
On that midsummer day, Janey’s world suddenly changed. She was involved in a horrible car accident. Airlifted to UAB Hospital, the prognosis was not favorable. Her skull was dislocated from her spine.
“My neurosurgeon told my family that people with this kind of injury usually don’t make it to the hospital,” Janey recalled. As a result of her injuries, she is partially paralyzed from the neck down.
Facing the future
Janey faced the future with courage and determination and months of therapy ensued. She also worked on completing her senior year of studies.
“I had two wonderful teachers from my school who came twice a week and helped me with classes online. I attended my graduation and even gave a speech,” Janey said.
“You can’t control what happens to you,” Janey said, “but you can control how you react. So go the extra mile, be kind and work extra hard even when no one is watching because those are moments that make an extraordinary life.”
Faith grows through difficulties
Coming to faith at an early age, Janey said she has been a Christian for as long as she can remember. She grew up in the Church.
“My faith only got stronger after the accident,” Janey said. “I realized that through the challenges and uncertainties, I had to trust that God’s plan was bigger than what I had planned. It was a period of growth where I learned to lean on my faith, believing that even in the midst of difficulties, God had a purpose for me.
“Looking back, I see firsthand how God carried me through. I’ve learned that challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities. This has reinforced my belief that even in adversity, His purpose prevails.”
Outlook on life
Janey said that happiness naturally comes to her. “I am happy because God has a purpose for me, and I am still here to live it. I am happy because He brings good out of it, no matter how tough something is. I am happy because I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. God is with me and He holds my future.
“I’ve always believed in the power of positivity. Even during challenging times, I’ve chosen to focus on the brighter side of things. Appreciating even the smallest joys and blessings allows me to have a deeper sense of contentment and happiness. Plus, seeing the impact of positivity on others motivates me to maintain an uplifting attitude.”
A “can-do” attitude
The word “tenacity” describes people who just won’t quit. They keep trying until they reach their goals. In December 2020, Janey wrote a blog about setting goals. One of her goals in 2018 was to take 60 steps. She didn’t do that until 2019 — and took 143 steps! She continues to set goals and meets them.
Another instance of pressing forward happened on a trip to Gulf Shores. Janey shared that it had been four long years since her last visit. The place she wanted to go did not have accessibility for individuals in wheelchairs. Seeing her plight, two security guards carried her through the sand to another chair.
“This story has reached thousands of people and makes me hopeful that even in the toughest places, people will see the need to make areas accessible for wheelchair users,” Janey said.
New idea
In May 2020, amid the pandemic, Janey had the idea to create watercolor greeting cards that people could order online. She painted the cards, put Bible verses on them and then uploaded them to her computer.
Janey’s design work requires a pair of assistive glasses with Bluetooth capabilities. The mouse moves whenever she moves her head, and then she bites the mouthpiece to click. The process is slow and tedious.
On the home page for Paper by Janey are these words: “Cards that bring happiness to you and each person you share them with!”
Rainie, a subscriber since July 2022, wrote, “I love getting Paper by Janey subscription boxes. I keep mine in my office, so I always have a unique card on hand. Co-workers even come to me to grab cards for special occasions around work.”
Janey’s blog can be found here, where she shares her story about the challenges, goals and joys she has experienced over the past six and a half years.
Follow Paper by Janey on Facebook, and take a moment to watch her reel from Jan. 17 of the snow day and sliding in the ice. Also, connect with her through her personal Instagram account or her business account.
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