Jenee' Michelle Bedell

Love and sweetness are words used to tell the story of Jenee' Michelle Bedell who has gone to be with our Father in Heaven on August 6, 2014. She was born on May 6, 1977 and is survived by her mother Jan Bedell and her father Allen Bedell. Her sister, Alysa Bedell Stephens was instrumental in her care and was to be her lifetime guardian.
Jenee' was a fighter and fought to the end. She started out fighting as she came into the world weighing 5 lbs. 4 oz. with club feet that had to be molded by doctors and casts from the age of one week. Jenee' learned to talk but it was a challenge to understand her at times. She had surgery when she was five for kidney reflux which kept here dependent on antibiotics until after her surgery. Jenee' was diagnosed with a low IQ that caused many learning challenges, too. Doctors and specialists didn't leave her parents with much hope for the future in regards to Jenee'. Jan, being a desperate mom, spent Jenee's first fifteen years searching for answers and trying various programs and techniques while Jenee' was enrolled in first public school, then private school, then home schooled for five years with traditional approaches. These years were full of one disappointment after another as nothing seemed to help Jenee' get past the limiting benchmarks of her diagnosis. Her Mom continued on a search for answers for her beautiful, kindhearted, loving daughter. God in His providence, lead Jan to the neurodevelopmental approach. Little Giant Steps, a business Jenee's mom started after seeing its effectiveness with Jenee', would not be here if it wasn't for her.
The whole family's lives were changed forever. Jan received training and learned how to do various neurodevelopmental activities with Jenee'. She began to homeschool Jenee' with the neurodevelopmental program and they began to see positive changes in Jenee' within just a few months. Jenee' could fold towels and help around the house in so many ways that she couldn't before; she was happier and she was making strides academically, as well.

Through her experience with her own daughter, Jan discovered that receiving a diagnosis such as Developmental Delay, ADD or Dyslexia (and a myriad of other diagnosis), doesn't have to be a sentence of life-long struggle. Jan was so impressed by the changes she saw in Jenee' that she decided this was what she needed to do, and what God was calling her to do, for the rest of her life; help other families that were hurting and struggling. The result of this calling is Little Giant Steps.

Jenee' has been the inspiration for and involved in many LGS projects and products over the years. How many children and families in Texas, across America and even overseas have been helped because of Jenee'? Only the Lord knows. Michelle Thompson says, "I for one, am so thankful for Jenee' and for her mother, Jan, who refused to accept the standards and limitations set by professionals for her daughter's life. Because of Jenee', I learned about The Neurodevelopmental Approach and because of Jenee' my two boys are living happy, successful lives."



Jenee' loved the Lord and seeing folks at church. Jenee' had a ministry of hugs, always had a hug for you and always was there to comfort you in times of sadness. She was always the first to say, "We need to pray for ____." Jenee' never met a stranger and would always ask how everyone was doing. Jenee' loved having friends and she had many that will miss her. That girl could use the phone! She couldn't wait for the next call from Uncle Jay, Trey, Heather, Catherine or her other phone pals.
Jenee' was a Special Olympian and came to be a medal winning equestrian, riding English. She loved horses and even volunteered at Story Book Ranch where she got to be around them even if she wasn't riding. She also volunteered at Market Street where she won the staff's heart with her smile and cheery disposition.

Jenee' liked to work and was employed at La Madeline for over 6 years. She loved being around lots of people! Letting the manager know if there was a light bulb out in the women's restroom and other important details was her specialty. Jenee' had a great memory for the calendar too and could keep up with everyone's schedule. This was very helpful if you ever had a memory lapse. Speaking of schedule, Jenee' had one and when it was time to eat she was on the button. She would start with cereal in the morning, peanut butter and honey sandwich for lunch (at least when she had a choice) and an occasional visit to Wendy's was her idea of a favorite place to eat dinner. Jenee' loved to get the mail. If and when they weren't on schedule Jenee' would let you know that they were late. She really enjoyed the cards she received while she was sick. Thank you all.

37 years with this loving and sweet person doesn't seem like enough time, but as always, it is God's timing not ours that counts. Jenee is looking down on us with a heavenly new body and a tongue that she can talk distinctly to all of us when we see her again. We miss you nee.

Thank you Jenee' for giving your mom such rewarding and life-changing work to do on the earth. Thank you Jenee' for being instrumental in changing people's lives! Your legacy of helps will live on and continue to change the world.

Jenee' is survived by her loving family. Parents Allen and Jan Bedell, Alysa Stephens and her husband Scott, neice and nephew Kenzie and Carter Stephens. Everyone is already missing her very much.

A memorial fund has been set up at http://store.littlegiantsteps.com/products/steps-of-hope-donation-page if you want to be a part of continuing Jenee's mission to impact lives through the neurodevelopmental approach. Donations are tax deductible.

The memorial service for Jenee' will be at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship 4331 E. Prosper Trail, Prosper, TX on Saturday, August 16th at 3:00 p.m.