We’re Katherine and Jay Wolf—survivors, communicators, and advocates.

Originally from the South, we met in college, married, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue law school for Jay and the entertainment industry for Katherine. Our son James was born in 2007 and just six months later, Katherine miraculously survived a catastrophic stroke caused by a congenital brain defect she never knew she had. After a sixteen-hour brain surgery, forty days in the ICU, a year in neuro rehab, and eleven operations, she continues her recovery to this day. In 2015 she gave birth to miracle baby John, our “John Bomb” who has blown up our lives in every way.

Since 2008, we’ve been disrupting the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life through speaking events, our best-selling books, a thriving online community, and Hope Heals Camp for families affected by disability. Today we live in Atlanta with our two boys.

We’re Katherine and Jay Wolf—survivors, communicators, and advocates.

Originally from the South, we met in college, married, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue law school for Jay and the entertainment industry for Katherine. Our son James was born in 2007 and just six months later, Katherine miraculously survived a catastrophic stroke caused by a congenital brain defect she never knew she had. After a sixteen-hour brain surgery, forty days in the ICU, a year in neuro rehab, and eleven operations, she continues her recovery to this day. In 2015 she gave birth to miracle baby John, our “John Bomb” who has blown up our lives in every way.

Since 2008, we’ve have been disrupting the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life through speaking events, our best-selling books, a thriving online community, and Hope Heals Camp for families affected by disability. Today we live in Atlanta with our two boys.

The Full(ish) Story

Click the photos to follow the plot!

1982: We’re both born in the deep South as the Type A first borns of families with lots of younger sisters. — **1982:** We’re both born in the deep South as the Type A first borns of families with lots of younger sisters.

2000-2004: We meet in the cafeteria of Samford University in Birmingham, AL—an appropriate meet cute for two lifelong foodies! We begin as great friends, but ended up in love. — **2000-2004:** We meet in the cafeteria of Samford University in Birmingham, AL—an appropriate meet cute for two lifelong foodies! We begin as great friends, but ended up in love.

November 6, 2004: We marry on a gorgeous fall day with 600 of our closest friends. We don’t fully grasp the reality of what we are promising, but we offer the sweetest words any human can: for worse, for poorer, in sickness, ‘til death. — **November 6, 2004:** We marry on a gorgeous fall day with 600 of our closest friends. We don’t fully grasp the reality of what we are promising, but we offer the sweetest words any human can: for worse, for poorer, in sickness, ‘til death.

2005: We move to California with our sights set on the entertainment industry for Katherine and law school for Jay, though Jay doesn’t actually get his acceptance letter until we are driving the UHaul through Texas! — **2005:** We move to California with our sights set on the entertainment industry for Katherine and law school for Jay, though Jay doesn’t actually get his acceptance letter until we are driving the UHaul through Texas!

2005-2007: Early years in LA are full of making a life in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. We find a new depth of Christian community and an ownership of our faith at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. — **2005-2007:** Early years in LA are full of making a life in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. We find a new depth of Christian community and an ownership of our faith at Bel Air Presbyterian Church.

October 2007: In the final year of law school (and years ahead of our schedule for having a baby—but right on time) James Thompson Wolf was born on October 16, 2007. — **October 2007:** In the final year of law school (and years ahead of our schedule for having a baby—but right on time) James Thompson Wolf was born on October 16, 2007.

April 21, 2008: Katherine collapses in our kitchen while James naps in the other room. Jay stops by between classes to find Katherine has suffered a massive stroke from a rare congenital defect she never knew she had. — **April 21, 2008:** Katherine collapses in our kitchen while James naps in the other room. Jay stops by between classes to find Katherine has suffered a massive stroke from a rare congenital defect she never knew she had.

April 21, 2008: Katherine is rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where top neurosurgeon Dr. Nestor Gonzalez is on call. It is the largest AVM he has ever seen, in the worst location. She is not expected to live, but he takes our case despite the grim pro… — **April 21, 2008:** Katherine is rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where top neurosurgeon Dr. Nestor Gonzalez is on call. It is the largest AVM he has ever seen, in the worst location. She is not expected to live, but he takes our case despite the grim prognosis.

April 22, 2008: To save her life, over half of Katherine’s cerebellum is removed and many vital intra-cranial nerves are sacrificed, risking a vegetative state. After 16 hours of micro-brain surgery, Katherine lived. Then our real story begins. — **April 22, 2008:** To save her life, over half of Katherine’s cerebellum is removed and many vital intra-cranial nerves are sacrificed, risking a vegetative state. After 16 hours of micro-brain surgery, Katherine lived. Then our real story begins.

2008-2014: We spend a year in a neuro rehab center, re-learning to talk, walk, swallow, and navigate the world with a newly disabled body. We settle into our new normal with our growing son, and begin sharing our story publicly. — **2008-2014:** We spend a year in a neuro rehab center, re-learning to talk, walk, swallow, and navigate the world with a newly disabled body. We settle into our new normal with our growing son, and begin sharing our story publicly.

June 26, 2015: Against all odds (but with approval from all her doctors), Katherine gives birth to John Nestor Wolf. Instead of arriving via the planned C-section, John makes his debut in the triage room of the emergency department. — **June 26, 2015:** Against all odds (but with approval from all her doctors), Katherine gives birth to John Nestor Wolf. Instead of arriving via the planned C-section, John makes his debut in the triage room of the emergency department.

April 2016: Our memoir Hope Heals is published by Zondervan. Tangible redemption begins forming in our suffering as our story encourages hundreds of thousands of people around the world. — **April 2016:** Our memoir *Hope Heals* is published by Zondervan. Tangible redemption begins forming in our suffering as our story encourages hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

June 2017: We host our first sessions of Hope Heals Camp, a week-long camp experience and year-round community for families affected by disabilities. Camp affirms the calling that suffering people are our people. — **June 2017:** We host our first sessions of Hope Heals Camp, a week-long camp experience and year-round community for families affected by disabilities. Camp affirms the calling that suffering people are *our* people.

August 2018: After almost 15 years in Los Angeles, our family moves across the country to Atlanta, GA, where we are warmly welcomed into a supportive community of friends. — **August 2018:** After almost 15 years in Los Angeles, our family moves across the country to Atlanta, GA, where we are warmly welcomed into a supportive community of friends.

February 2020: Our second book, Suffer Strong, is published just in time for the rollercoaster of 2020—a year particularly full of hardships for everyone on the planet. — **February 2020:** Our second book, *Suffer Strong*, is published just in time for the rollercoaster of 2020—a year particularly full of hardships for everyone on the planet.

Our Short Film

Directed by DJ Viola. Music by Nathan Wang.

The Full(ish) Story

Our Short Film

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