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A slow climb up the stairs can tell a bigger story. When Kelli Canfield began struggling with simple movements after childbirth, the signs pointed to something more than fatigue. What followed was years of being dismissed by doctors, self-doubt, and a search for answers that finally led to a diagnosis: Pompe disease.

In this episode, Robert and Kelli sit down with W. Austin Gardner to open up about the moments most people don’t see—the embarrassment of public falls, the grief of surrendering a dream to serve overseas, and the surprising way purpose survives when plans do not. Robert shares his profound shift from being a “fixer” to practicing a truer form of care: presence. This isn't just a story about a rare muscular dystrophy; it’s a blueprint for hope and a reminder that your calling is never defined by your geography.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The long search for a diagnosis and being dismissed by tests.
• How Pompe disease affects breathing and mobility.
• The husband’s shift from "fixing" to "presence."
• How faith holds both lament and gratitude at the same time.

Listen now and find out why mercy is always the final word.
https://waustingardner.com/w-austin-gardner/

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