Keep the Faith, Baby

Dr. Nicole Hancock loves being part of a successful podiatry practice. But at the end of the day, she’s always ready to rush home. There’s a reason for that. Awaiting her is 10-month-old Abbi, a beautiful baby who has an adorable smile and bursts with personality.

For Nicole, 40, it’s heartwarming to see Abbi reach those memorable milestones — crawling, teething and sitting up on her own.

“She has brought so much joy into my life,” says Nicole, a podiatrist who works at Lakeside Foot and Ankle Center with her husband Jason, who also is a podiatrist.

There was a time when Nicole wondered whether she’d ever become a mother. For six years, she could not conceive a child naturally or through IVF treatment. Doctors ultimately discovered that she had endometriosis.

“It was devastating,” she says. “I went through a mourning process, and it was hard to be out in public and see other mothers pushing their babies in strollers. I was happy in other areas of my life, but I wasn’t okay with not being a mom.”

The Hancocks decided adoption was the best option, and they took Abbi home when she was 24 hours old.

“I have no regrets about not giving birth to Abbi. She was born in my heart instead of my belly.”

Today, Nicole and Jason enjoy taking the beautiful blue-eyed baby to local festivals in Mount Dora and Leesburg. And when they’re visiting relatives, Abbi always is the center of attention.

“Her grandparents are over the moon around her.”

What gave Nicole hope? What gave Nicole “Prayer is what got me through the tough times. If you have faith, your prayers will be answered. I put everything in God’s hands and allowed things to fall in place. Whatever you do don’t give up.”

Little Saviors

When people compliment Linda Bennett for saving her two adopted boys, she always provides the same response.

“I tell them that my children are the ones who saved me.”

Linda and her husband Andrew spent 10 years attempting to conceive a child. Their efforts proved unsuccessful, and doctors could not pinpoint a medical reason for infertility. That took an emotional toll on Linda.

“My extreme desire to become a mother was taking over my life,” says the 45-year-old Eustis resident. “Every time one of my friends had a baby, I became angry and sad. I didn’t need to be pregnant or give birth; I just wanted to become a mother.”

As a result, the Bennetts contacted a private adoption agency and within several days were matched with a child. Their first son, Trekker, was born in 2008.

“We were there throughout part of the pregnancy and it felt like I was pregnant. I craved chocolate, and my hair was never straight again after he was born.”

Several years later, Linda and Andrew fostered 11-week-old Jay. They adopted him in February 2015, and their family was complete. Linda loves parenting two children with different personalities. Trekker is much more laid back and reserved, while Jay is outgoing and rambunctious.

“I literally started working out so I could have the energy to keep up with Jay. But seriously, they’ve brought joy back into my life that I desperately needed. I got me back and I got my happiness back. And the best part is when women tell me they’re pregnant, I can celebrate and honestly be happy for them.”

What gave Linda hope?

What gave Linda “Even during times I was extremely sad, I leaned on God to get me through it all. God gave me hope that I’d somehow, someway become a mother. He ultimately came through for me.”

More than relief – a long-term cure for allergies

“This serum is a safe, easy, convenient, painless, holistic way to treat patients suffering from itchy, watery eyes, congestion and sneezing caused by airborne allergies.”

MARK VOCCI, MD Board-certified ophthalmologist

If you suffer from sinus and/or eye discomfort due to airborne allergies and are tired of the many side-effects of medication, then you should know about immunotherapy*. Immunotherapy, in which tiny amounts of allergens are introduced into the system over time, has traditionally required painful and inconvenient injections 1-2 times a week in a doctor’s office.

Now, thanks to allergy drops, people of all ages can get safe, painless, all-natural immunotherapy without shots. Taken daily under the tongue, this therapy provides symptom relief within a few months. And, in four years, if you are like most patients you will experience complete remission of your environmental allergies. That’s right – this breakthrough treatment provides more than just symptom relief, but true allergy relief. Another big improvement is allergen testing, which takes only 15 pain-free minutes.

TAVARES - 352-343-2020

LEESBURG - 352-365-2020

THE VILLAGES - 352-750-2020

LADY LAKE - 352-350-2070 www.LakeEye.com |