Let me start by saying that I was skeptical of watching a religious film from the start. I do not consider myself very religious. I was born and raised Roman Catholic and have distanced myself quite a bit from the church life. But this movie really struck a cord with me that I think I should write about. The movie that I am referring to is called "Miracles From Heaven" and stars Jennifer Garner and Kylie Rogers. "Miracles From Heaven" is about Anna Beam, a 10-year-old girl who is battling a strange, rare condition that affects her intestinal track, called a pseudo-obstruction motility disorder. This type of disorder prevents people from being able to digest food and is currently incurable. This rare disease has a very high mortality rate, as well.
Jennifer Garner delivered a great performance as Anna's mother, Christie Beam. Christie is portrayed as a devout Christian who would do anything to help her daughter throughout her illness. During the movie, Anna and Christie go to Boston's Children's Hospital in search of Dr. Nurko, a world-renowned pediatric specialist that tells her there is not much he can do for them. This movie definitely has its highs and lows, and never fails to strike an emotional chord in me. It has been a while since any movie made me react in such an emotional way. (The last one able to provoke so much emotion was "Marley and Me.") Anna's condition kept getting worse and worse until her family decided to just head home and basically wait for her to die.
The ending of this story is truly remarkable and leaves you wondering how the hell it could actually turn out like that. After leaving the intensive care hospital in Boston, Anna and her sister were climbing a tree in their backyard when Anna fell into the hollowed-out tree trunk. Paramedics and firefighters saved her after three whole hours of being in the trunk. Anna claims to have seen God and her dead grandma when she was knocked unconscious after the three-story fall. Anna claims to have been told that it was not her time and that when she returned to Earth she would be healed. She came out of this incident with basically no injuries and broken bones, and immediately after this, her pseudo-obstruction motility disorder was asymptomatic. She has been healthy since the fall happened and has gained massive attention from the Christian community in the United States.
In my final thoughts, I have to wonder how this could have happened. This would definitely be considered a miracle, if everything lined up and proved to be true. I actually do not doubt this young girl's story, and I am hopeful for her bright future. This movie has done a great job in turning something tragic into encouraging. If you haven't seen this movie yet, I really encourage you to go out and rent it and see for yourself!
Anna Beam in the hospital due to her illness
Anna Beam and Dr. Nurka
Anna Beam being interviewed in front of the tree she fell from
