Texas
Joseph Feltner
Co-HUB Leader
Joseph Feltner is the dad of three children, his youngest, Patrick, being a gastroschisis survivor. His experience as a father leading a family through the gastroschisis experience led him to volunteer as an Avery’s Angels hub leader because there was a need for father involvement and support. He experienced the NICU in a very different way than his wife, Mandy Feltner. It was his job to make the decision when the family had to go home and leave Patrick in the care of the nurses. It was his job to stay strong when mom cried and felt overwhelmed. It was his job to get up and go to work every day because without his strength the family wouldn’t have made it. While this was the most difficult experience of his life, Joseph feels that with the proper support and help, a father can make it through without feeling alone, or like he has to be strong 100% of the time. He doesn’t want other fathers to feel like there is no help. He wants to motivate other dads to get involved and to join together as a group that can lean on each other in times of need.