Last March 2024, we asked our readers to submit photos capturing the raw and unfiltered moments of parenthood. Out of thousands of entries, 50 best motherhood moments were selected and announced on Mother's Day This article is part of a series that delves into the stories behind the 10 winning photos of the Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 photo contest.
As they say, true love is tested through time and trials. A young family proved this to be true, reflecting the true definition of unconditional love.
Jean Rose Briguela shared a unique family photo through Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100, a photo contest showcasing unfiltered parenting moments. Their family portrait, even without words, exudes emotions.
Jean Rose Briguela's winning photo, My Everything
Beside Jean in the photo is her husband, Jan Leland Briguela, seen with a tracheostomy tube on his neck to assist his breathing. The couple holds together their sleeping baby, unaware of her surroundings, but certain of one thing—she is safe and secure in her parents' presence.
Jean described their family photo: “Taking care of the two most important people in my life; my 1-year-old baby and my recovering husband. He came from a coma resulting in [him to be in] a vegetative state. Now, we’re claiming [that he will be] back to normal. It's a challenging time, but also incredibly rewarding. Our family is not perfect, but with God, everything is possible. It makes everything meaningful.”
Smart Parenting Parenthood 100: The story behind the photo, 'My Everything'
As a young couple excited to build their own family, Jean and Jan Leland waited patiently for their first baby. However, their first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage. Their prayers were finally answered when Jean got pregnant again in 2022. The family’s seemingly happy season was immediately struck by another challenge: Jan Leland suffered a stroke while Jean was three months pregnant.
Jean showing her ultrasound scan to her husband, Leland
Jean shares the context about the winning photo, “The father in the picture, my husband, has a tracheostomy tube to breathe and live. He is a fighter. In March 2022, I was in my third month of pregnancy. It was during this time when he suffered from a midbrain stroke. He also went through a cardiac arrest for a total of 38 minutes of downtime, which led him to a comatose and then a vegetative state. He was paralyzed, unable to move and express himself, no emotions, unable to speak, nothing at all.”
“Leland is a father who remains strong and determined to live and heal for our daughter. He continues to show that fatherhood is about presence and love, not physical ability.” —Jean Rose Briguela
She said, “The photo captures a moment of pure, unadulterated love from a wife for her husband and child. Dad is holding us, and even though he can't speak and show his expression yet, I can feel the embrace of his love for us. His eyes radiate determination and love as he holds his daughter.”
“It was taken during our rest and cuddling session in his hospital bed after I breastfed our daughter at home. A seemingly ordinary scene, yet brimming with extraordinary significance,” Jean added. Her husband stays at home with them, while he continues his medications and recovery. Because of her husband’s medical condition, Jean had to go through pregnancy, giving birth, and taking care of a newborn alone. She did all those while taking care of her husband.
“The photo is a testament to the enduring power of family, where love triumphs over adversity,” Jean continued.
In Sickness and In Health
Even though the Briguela family’s situation is far from ideal, Jean remains strong. Her husband’s fighting spirit encourages her: “He might not be able to run around or pick up his child, but his spirit of love and connection remains unbroken.”
Jean said, “Our photo shows a family who has faced hardship head-on. But through it all, our bond has grown even stronger.”
“I became a rock holding the family together, staying resilient, willing to do anything with unwavering love.” —Jean Rose Briguela
Their challenges redefined parenthood for them, as she describes it: “Leland is a father who remains strong and determined to live and heal for our daughter. He continues to show that fatherhood is about presence and love, not physical ability.”
On the other hand, her role as a mother and wife evolved too: “I became a rock holding the family together, staying resilient, willing to do anything with unwavering love.”
In all their challenges, their child holds them together: “Our daughter, the center of our universe, is a source of immense joy and strength. We are not a perfect family, but our journey with God makes everything possible and meaningful. Our family is a story of love and the spirit of a parent who will fight for their family no matter what.”
When asked what her intention was in taking the photo, Jean answered, “I want to show our family’s remarkable resilience in the face of our challenges. I hope our photo shows the love and support that hold us together.”
Strength in Vulnerability
Although Jean’s husband is paralyzed and constricted in every movement, his vulnerability doesn’t hinder him from showing love for his family. As Jean said, “His eyes are full of love and determined spirit.”
“Parenting transcends physical limitations. Leland's paralysis doesn't diminish his role as a father. The photo highlights the emotional connection and love that are the true essence of parenting,” Jean continued. She shared a photo that captured her husband’s joy in parenting, despite his physical disability.
See also: [Smart Parenting](https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/life/love-relationships/andrew-schimmer-jho-rovero-wedding-a718-sa00071-20221216-src-pep)
“I assisted my husband in sitting down, while our daughter played by our side. He beams with a smile that lights up the entire room. Just months ago, he couldn’t express his emotions due to his physical limitations. Now, with our child finally here, the joy spills over, unconfined by anything else. His eyes were filled with newfound joy and tenderness,” Jean proudly shares. Despite being unable to express any emotions in the past months, her husband finally learned how to smile because of their daughter.
After months of being unable to express any emotions, Jean’s husband brimmed with a big smile.
“Our daughter also symbolizes hope for us - our future, our source of strength as parents,” she added.
After two years of battling their hardships, the Briguela family learned to live and thrive. Jean shared, “For more than two years, we have lived in a small new home because we had to sell our old house due to hospital bills. Our family photo was taken in the hospital bed in our new small home.”
Their new home symbolizes a fresh start for their family. Their challenges are still present; the hospital bed is a constant reminder of their current struggle, but together, they face every day with joy and hope.
Message of Inspiration
Jean hopes to inspire other families through their experiences: “Love and resilience conquer adversity. Our family's story exemplifies the incredible strength that love fosters. Our love for each other and our child remains our driving force despite the challenges.”
“This photo is not just a portrait of a family, but a celebration of resilience. It's a story whispered in soft coos and gentle touches, a testament to the boundless capacity of love to adapt, endure, and ultimately, triumph. It's a reminder that parenting is not defined by physical ability but by the unwavering presence of a heart overflowing with love,” Jean added.
Jean and her husband, Leland
Jean’s family has been through difficult times. The past two years haven’t been easy for them. The emotional toll on Jean, managing their household, paying the bills, and raising their daughter. Yet she remains hopeful, and says, “We hope and pray that our time would come, when we could go out of this house together, to the world that we dream of venturing out into as a family.”
Most importantly, Jean wants to inspire other parents with what she learned and witnessed in their situation: “This photo is a celebration of love's transformative power. It showcases a journey from adversity to overwhelming joy, a journey made even more beautiful by the bond within our family. It's a message of hope for families facing challenges, a reminder that love's true essence can blossom in the most unexpected ways.”
That is unconditional love and parenthood redefined. We are praying with you, Briguela family!
More from sp
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
