Ever heard of the term “Mercer County Famous”? It’s when everyone knows who you are but you don’t know who anyone is. How does one get “Mercer County famous” you ask? Go through something extraordinarily terrible and boom. You are there. I once had a fellow co-workers husband tell me “we are famous for all the wrong reasons”. And boy was he right. People didn’t know me because I was citizen of the year or owned a successful business. And before I lost my leg, I was just Josie (Guggenbiller) Wendel. People actually referred to me as “Jennie’s sister” or “Donny’s daughter”. I was someone to some and no one to most in our community. Which I was ok with. Then April 3rd, 2015 happened and the news of what happened spread like wildfire. And just like regular celebrity’s, so did the rumors. Do you know that I can’t even count it on one hand anymore how many times I’ve been asked if I was “the girl that got bit by a cow”? And that is even 3 ½ years out and I’ve told the actually story myself. But that is a post for another day.

So where am I going with this. I’m trying to say that the events that made people “Mercer County famous” are also the times that we got to see how much our community can pull together and help keep us strong. We united as one to help a family in need. And while it was amazing to feel those feelings on the receiving end of the “united-ness”, want to know what is even more amazing about it? Not being as afraid when tragedy strikes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still scary as hell. But knowing that people you don’t even know are willing to do whatever it takes to pull you through and help make your life a bit easier is comforting. And I’m hoping those of you reading this can also vouch for this. I’m ok with what happened to me and that’s partly because I live in such a great community where people like you, the ones reading this right now, are the most supportive people on the planet. I mean I wouldn’t have ever dreamed of starting a Facebook page full of my thoughts if it wasn’t for everyone’s kindness, support and belief in me.

So to wrap this up, while April 3rd, 2015 will forever be a date that lives in infamy to me, it also provided proof to something we already knew. No one, no disease, no tragedy or no catastrophe will ever take away our Mercer County humanity. And while the person fighting the good fight might not always win the war, know that the care and united front that is our community is rarity in this world. And we are so lucky to have people whose hearts are good and true as our neighbors, rivals, friends, strangers, and family. We are so lucky to be united as Mercer County. And while the events that brought our community together will eventually become a distant memory in many peoples minds, know that one thing will forever be in the top of everyone’s memories. It’s how quickly we pull together to make “the people who are famous for all the wrong reasons” feel supported through prayers, calls, texts, donations, cards, and meal trains. And support is a big part of the fight.

#TheOneLeggedMommy #MercerCountyFamous #SmallCommunity #Support #MercerCounty #Amputee #Tragedies #GoodFights #NecrotizingFasciitis #FamousForAllTheWrongReasons #HipDisarticulation #Prayers

Pictured below is some mail I’ve received since starting this Facebook page! Thanks for making me feel the love all the time!!!