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Updated: 9:55 PM Feb 16, 2010
From Heartbreak to Hope Through Writing
Maura Kuhl died when she was just three days old. Now her father is moving past the tears and inspiring others through writing as a form of therapy.
Posted: 9:55 PM Feb 16, 2010Reporter: Brooks Jarosz Email Address: brooks.jarosz@wsaz.com |
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6 Comments 
PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Having a newborn is supposed to be an exciting time but for one family that excitement quickly turned to grief.
Maura Kuhl died when she was just three days old. Now her father is moving past the tears and inspiring others through writing as a form of therapy.
Doctors believe Maura died from a rare heart condition. Her death inspired her father, Jess, to write a book about death and overcoming heartbreak. His story is doing more than just helping other grieving families -- it's helping save lives.
"I actually had a friend the evening we were at the hospital come over and remove all of the balloons and streamers because I didn't want to come home to that," Jess Kuhl said.
He works a lot from his home office where his heart is still heavy at times, but life is easier than it was six years ago.
"It literally is the first thought when you get up and you try to move it from a negative thought to a positive thought," Jess said.
Maura's family still celebrates her life every year with a balloon release on her birthday.
"We get them and we let them go up to heaven," Maura's brother Caleb said.
"Bottom line is there's nothing that we can go through any worse than we've already been through," Jess said.
He decided to share his journey of heartache with others in a book he wrote titled "Sometimes the Rock Must Crumble."
"As men we bottle things up so much and don't want to talk about it, which is frustrating for others," he says. "So my therapy was writing a book, but it was also to help other men going through a similar situation."
It's a situation that could happen to anyone. That's why Jess's two other children are taking heart medication, and they have a defibrillator in their home.
Now he hopes the book will raise enough money to make sure Putnam County Schools can also have the equipment.
"We'd like to place one every 60 to 90 days and the book sales will drive that," Jess said.
The defibrillators already have been installed at Winfield Elementary and Winfield High schools.
"With athletics, with band -- even show choir -- it's strenuous activities and even without strenuous activities you never know, but I thought it was important for us to have one," Winfield High School Principal Bill Hughes said.
Jess Kuhl says, through all of this, he has grown and strengthened relationships with his family, friends and church.
He travels when he can and speaks for free promoting his book and message of hope that he can overcome anything -- even the greatest challenges in life.
If you're interested in getting a copy of the book, click on our Featured Links here at WSAZ.com.
Latest Comments
Im so sorry for your loss. Growth can and does take place after an event such as this. Your an inspiration. Thank You!!!
I want to say thank you. I have been through this mess. My first born son was born in 1996 and in 1997 he passed away due to sids. Feb. 23 2010 will make 13 years. He was five months old to the day. I just wish that I could have had your book then to help me. Thank you. God only allows us to borrow. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It is so wonderful to see you trying to help others through this tragedy. I applaud you and may God bless you and your family.
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