Imagine your home, filled with its valuables and family memories, gone. You see pieces of furniture floating from side to side, precious photos soaked in water, and articles of clothing now ruined. In the blink of an eye, your life as you knew it, has changed forever. This is the reality for JoAnn Vidibill, a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy student living in Tampa, Florida. Coming up for air, JoAnn and her family of seven, are witnessing history like never before after being struck by Hurricane Helene. Aiming to resume their normal schedules as much as they can, JoAnn knows that life needs to move forward; some way, somehow. And though she knows things will never be the same again, she is honored to share her story about how God is dividing waters for her to become who she was meant to be: a mother, a wife and one day, a licensed therapist. 

Pre-Law and Home Economics

Growing up, JoAnn knew she was meant to be someone. Having a strong personality and yearning for knowledge, she decided from a young age that she wanted to be a lawyer. In many ways, she looked up to the women who had the tenacity to understand the complexities of political science, while simultaneously having a strong desire to help those around them – or at least, she thought. Fast forward a few years, JoAnn had graduated with her B.S. in Political Science degree and was on her way to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Looking back, JoAnn describes the journey of college and LSAT preparation as interesting and, in many ways, life-re-orienting. She began asking herself questions that she never had before. 

“I remember I took the LSAT exam and did pretty well,” JoAnn said. “However, a lot of things were changing pretty quickly in my life. I was falling in love with my (now) husband, and I didn’t have the same drive to necessarily become a lawyer. I just remember asking myself ‘JoAnn, do you want to be a lawyer? Why don’t you do something you actually love?” 

Ultimately, JoAnn decided to put her LSAT score on the shelf and dedicate her life to something a little more meaningful to her – raising a family of her own. One after another, the Vidibill’s went from a family of two to a family of seven; a drastic change for JoAnn. However, that didn’t scare her. She saw it as the opportunity to sow into her children and raise them in the way she wanted. Homeschooling and living frugally, reality struck the Vidibill’s household. Money was becoming tighter and tighter. It wasn’t long before JoAnn saw that her family could no longer afford to live on a single household salary. She needed to do something, quickly. 

“I saw how hard my husband was working and it made me so sad that it still wasn’t enough,” JoAnn said. “I thought back to the LSAT test score and thought to myself, ‘Why didn’t I go for law school?’ But, you can’t think like that in times of need, especially when you have kids. So, I did what I thought I needed to do. I prayed, and I found a job.” 

Nearing her fifties, JoAnn began waitressing. Working diligently to make some money for her family, including her two kids soon to be attending college, JoAnn hustled, joyfully. With a four-year degree in hand, JoAnn says waitressing was, and still is, a very humbling experience. Even as an older employee, JoAnn suffered physically the tolls of moving, grooving and finding ways to make ends meet for her family. However, she forged ahead without losing sight that there had to be more for her out there. And maybe she didn’t know it, but a new chapter of her life was just about to open. 

In the Eye Of A Storm

JoAnn recalls when she sat down with her husband to talk about wanting to go back to school. Now, in her mid-fifties, JoAnn knew she would sound crazy to go back to school and start over. So, she decided to look online and find schools and programs that could fit her schedule. Spending some time searching on the internet, JoAnn remembers talking with a friend about ACU Online and the wonderful programs it had for returning adult learners. Excited to see what the buzz was about, JoAnn says she was amazed at the numerous programs ACU offered, including an online Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program. Intrigued by the possibility of becoming a therapist, JoAnn jumped with excitement, scheduled an admissions appointment, and began her first courses all within a matter of months. 

“It all happened so fast, you know,” JoAnn said. “One moment I was thinking about what I was going to do, and the next, I’m in class with students who are in the same boat just like me. It was a shock but honestly, made me even more excited to get started.” 

In the fall of 2024, JoAnn found herself nearing the half-way point of her program. Having already obtained her internship, and acquiring clients, JoAnn saw nothing but green lights toward reaching her goal of becoming a therapist. It was so close, and yet so far. 

Then, it all stopped. Her momentum, her life, her studies were halted by Hurricane Helene, a Category Four tropical storm that hit over 500 miles of Florida shorelines and cities. Being asked to evacuate her home, with her kids and pets, JoAnn sought refuge with family members to wait out the storm. Still, JoAnn pushed forward and suppressed the chaos occurring just outside their door. She logged into class, and was asked a question that broke her into tears, “JoAnn, are you okay?” 

“I remember I was sitting at a table with my laptop, and it was almost the end of the class,” JoAnn said. “I didn’t want to lose the credit so I just logged on and told myself, ‘You can do this. You’ll be fine.’ Then, Dr. Drew Jamieson came on and he was amazed to see me. He just gasped and asked if I was okay. I then realized that I wasn’t. I broke down.” 

Collecting her thoughts and tears, JoAnn expressed to her classmates and professor the hardships her family was going through. How they lost their home, how they needed to find homes for their pets, and how they just applied for a FEMA trailer from the government. Shocked and silenced, JoAnn recalls the overwhelming sense of peace she felt when her professor called her after the class asking if there was anything he could do for her. And while the gesture was kind, the biggest thing she asked for was prayer. 

“I am a firm believer in the power of prayer,” JoAnn said. “I know some people don’t, but I truly think God has a way of bringing us back to Him even in times of despair.” 

Today, JoAnn is learning a whole new side of herself. Instead of looking to the past of what could have been, she is looking to the present of what is. In times of chaos, JoAnn has seen the goodness of people and humanity, as a whole. She has learned what it means to lend a hand and give even when you don’t think you have enough. Recalling a story where a stranger helped her get her pets to safety, JoAnn saw how people need each other during times of heartache and loneliness. In many ways, Hurricane Helene opened her eyes as to why she wants to become a therapist, now more than ever. 

“I see people in a whole new way,” JoAnn said. “It’s like God has allowed me to go through this so I can decide for myself why I want to become a therapist and counselor for people. I always thought I knew why. But after going through this, it’s even more clear for me now. People need people to talk to when they’re going through things. People need someone to rely on. And honestly, I’ve learned that I’m actually good at talking to people, so why not use my gift?” 

While the future is still hazy for JoAnn and her family, she is not giving up hope. Aiming to finish her degree at some point, JoAnn is putting her studies into action already. Lending a hand wherever she can, JoAnn knows her family will get out of this soon enough. In the meantime, she is looking forward and feeling stronger than she has ever been.

Today, you can help students in dire need of your financial support through ACU Online’s Wildcat Care Fund. The Wildcat Care Fund, launched in 2022, is designed to provide short-term monetary aid to online students facing needs that directly impact their education. By providing financial assistance to address barriers, students can not only continue their progress toward their degrees with less disruption but also purchase necessities like eyeglasses, internet service, electricity, fuel or groceries. 

If you would like to support other hurricane victims like JoAnn Vildibill, visit our website today.