GODS LITTLE MIRACLE

The testimony of Sarah Joy Holden in her own words

On 9 December 1971, Sarah Joy Holden was born at Park Hospital, Davyhulme, Manchester. The hospital is famous for being the birthplace of the NHS, now known as Trafford General. It also happened to be the day before my own mother’s birthday. My due date was 12 December, which also happened to be my parents' wedding anniversary. Shortly after my birth, I was diagnosed with a learning disability called 'Cerebral Palsy'. Cerebral palsy, or "CP", is a lifelong brain disorder that affects muscle coordination and movement. It's the most common cause of childhood disability, affecting about one in every four hundred children. It occurs when the brain can't send messages to our muscles properly, resulting in difficulty with movement, tone, or posture. Symptoms vary from person to person, and can include poor coordination, stiff or weak muscles, tremors, and problems with vision, hearing, and speech.

The outlook for a child with a disability back then wasn't the same as it is today. The options were taking little Sarah home to love and care for her, or to consider putting her up for adoption. The doctors said I wouldn't be able to achieve very much or do anything for myself, needing around-the-clock care and attention. I had an older brother at the time, and later a sister. My parents were Christians, and they knew that God would help them in their care for me, so they brought me home. Many, Many prayers were prayed for ‘Little Sarah’ as the ladies in the church called me. I am led to believe there was a visiting choir from Canada performing at our church at the time, and they came round to our tiny council house to pray for me, yes, ‘Little Sarah.’

In June 1973, my sister Ruth was born. My parents always treated us equally and

fairly, trying to give all three of their children the same opportunities in life. Yet all three siblings went to different schools. I never went to a mainstream school like my siblings. Instead, I attended a special needs school. I couldn’t walk far without assistance, often having to use a blue and white striped Maclaren chair. Now, I tell people I drove a McLaren in my younger days. Ruth would become my champion, always encouraging me to win races and presenting different challenges for me to overcome. I really look up to my sister, but of course, there were the usual sisterly fallouts. My sister remembers the special Pedro shoes I wore, made from leather with a heavy sole. They would hurt if I were to kick you, something my siblings can testify to. I faced many challenges growing up, like suffering childhood epilepsy, numerous hospital visits and stays, and ‘Physio Terrorist’ appointments. I’m sure you couldn't get away with calling physiotherapists that today! I encountered other children's intrigue into my footwear, fashion, and chariot, but I hardly call it bullying as it is known by today’s standards. I have never let my disability get me down or stand in my way. In fact, it made me stronger and more determined. My disability wasn't going to hold me back, and never has it since. I had my sister ready to fight my corner if I needed her, but most of the time I handled things in my way, even if it meant a ‘Pedro kick.’

Moving on some years, aged between eight and ten, I attended a children's healing meeting with my mum and her friend Ros and her son. Mum shared a testimony at that healing meeting. She gave a brief overview of my disability and continued, “This morning, we came downstairs to find Sarah fully dressed, with her shoes on the right feet. When questioned about who had dressed her, Sarah replied, “I did it myself, and Jesus helped me.’”

During the same healing meeting, I seem to recall my mother telling me, “The man asked you to stand and walk across the room. You, me, and Ros knew it was impossible, but the man assured us, ‘With God, all things are possible.’” I remember how big the church auditorium seemed as I nervously stood up and put one foot in front of the other. I recall my mother telling me about it, but I also remember. She said, “On that afternoon, you did walk across that room, and as you did, Ros and I saw a miracle take place. For the first time, we saw your hip move into the correct position and your right foot, which turned inwards, making you have falls, was straightened by the power of Jesus.” Of course, after this event, I continued in special education and experienced further hospital visits. 

At the age of 15 in 1986, our family moved from Manchester to Shropshire, where Operation Mobilisation had moved its headquarters from Manchester the year before. My family were involved with OM ministries on and off for many years. Their friends had moved to Shropshire the year before as they, too, were missionaries with the organisation. The village church vicar, where OM headquarters are still based, was about to take a three-month sabbatical, and they needed someone to look after the vicarage as well as look after their eldest son, who was at college at the time and staying. My parents had previously been involved with running the hospitality houses for OM in Manchester and Bromley. My brother was much older than both me and my sister. He had a flat in Manchester, so didn't move up with us, although years later, he married, and he and his family also moved to the area. What was only meant as a three-month stay has ended up with us living in the area for almost forty years. 

I remember one day, not long after we had moved to Shropshire, I attended an appointment at the ' Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital' children's clinic. The doctor was surprised to see me and told my mother she should take me to Clarks shoes in Oswestry to buy me my first proper pair of shoes. In his opinion, I didn't need to wear these special shoes anymore. Much to the relief of my sister’s shins, we could throw them in the bin. God had worked a miracle in my life. Walking into Clark’s shoe shop on that day is one memory I'll never forget. 

I left school on 22 July 1988 and went on to College at LSU. Here I achieved four qualifications in City and Guilds Maths and English. I also gained a GNVQ level 2 in business administration. On leaving college in 1992, I went on to YTS, where I had a placement at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in the medical records department. Many other paid and voluntary work opportunities followed.

In 1991, I was baptised by full adult immersion in what is still our present fellowship. The bible verses that mean so much to me and are a part of my testimony are Psalm 139: 13-17: I’m certain these verses are also behind the creative human being that I am today. 

In 1999, I reached another milestone when I moved into independent living. It wasn't an easy time for me as I faced anti-social behaviour from the neighbours. I had various support workers over the years, but the housing association had a bad reputation in the area. In 2018, I needed to move out of my current home due to these ASB issues, and on 1 June 2019, I moved into what is now my present home. Here I have my own front door and garden, as well as being surrounded by nine other cottages in their own private setting with an onsite caretaker and wonderful, friendly neighbours. We all look out for each other.

 Not long after the COVID-19 pandemic, I became a Horatio Garden volunteer, which I am still doing today. It is based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital - Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries. 

I am now a fully independent daughter of Jesus, helping and serving in my church. I now enjoy being able to go walking and other activities.

In 2016, I found a passion for writing, which has developed into writing poetry. I am now recognised as a Prolific Poetess, writing a new poem every day. In July 2025, I achieved a lifelong goal by producing my first book of poetry called ' Prolific Poetess'. I have always had the ambition, but never the confidence, to write down and publish my testimony. I felt it might not be fair to my family.

Perhaps struggling to walk a  young child is now why I love going walking. Walking not only keeps me physically and mentally healthy, but it is also how I connect with God without the distractions of life. I am a very creative individual, and being left-handed, I use this to add to my creative strengths by making left-hand opening cards, which brings amusement and joy to all who receive a card from me. 

This is my story, this is my song. Life hasn’t always been easy, and many times I have got it so wrong. Yet knowing all that God has done, is doing and will continue to do until the day He calls me home, I will praise and serve my saviour all day long, for there is no greater time that the world needs Jesus than it does today. And if my testimony can play even a small part in establishing his kingdom, who am I to argue with that? I love the quote, 'From small acorns mighty oaks grow.’ Who knew but Jesus how my life would pan out when my parents didn't give up on me over fifty years ago? They continue to support and encourage me today. I now help them when they need it. Mum is the wheelchair user these days. I also have an understanding of the patients facing occupational and physiotherapy in my volunteering role. God had a plan for Sarah Joy, and it was and is for good.