Juliana Ramos' Mom Pens Story of Struggle, Recovery and Hope

Janet Spencer Barnes has dreamt of becoming a published author since she was 11 years old.

As a little girl, she poured her heart into poems and short stories, mailing them off to publishers with the hope and belief that she would see her name on the binding of a book.

Today, she stares down at the 280-page masterpiece on her lap. Unlike she ever expected, it took the nightmare of her daughter Juliana Ramos surviving a life-threatening car accident for her dream to come to fruition. Many came to know Juliana's story through her fiancé As Medina told their story, millions embraced the couple for their passion for life and each other. But there was another love story many may not know—that of a mother for her daughter.

Juliana was her confidante, Barnes said, and the writings that now comprise her first book began as an earnest effort to communicate with Juliana, who . Ramos was lulled into a medically induced coma following the car accident on Oct. 2, 2009.

"I was writing a journal for her," Barnes said. "I truly believed she would wake up at any time, and I knew she would want to know everything that was going on."

Through a Facebook support group titled For Juliana, Barnes posted daily updates on Juliana's status. The waiting room at Christ Hospital was flooded with friends and family, but only a limited number were allowed in to visit. For Barnes, who refused to leave her daughter's side, the blog updates created a bridge to the outside world throughout the trying and sometimes discouraging recovery process.

"I had to keep blogging because people were reading, praying and sending positive vibes out there," Barnes said.

With supporters following her live updates through the page, the original Facebook group quickly skyrocketed from non-existence to 2,700 fans, and then to 27,000. The support was overwhelming and therapeutic, Barnes said.

"We've heard stories about TBI, about people falling away," Barnes said. "For us, the cast of characters might have changed, but we've always had people around us."

As Juliana , Barnes kept blogging and decided in March to transfer the entries from Internet page to book page.

"It was a book that had to be happen," she said. "It was a book that was already happening.

"For me, if it ended right here [holding a copy of the book], I would feel like I accomplished something."

Not only her daughter and biggest inspiration, Juliana is also her most avid supporter, Barnes said. Juliana patted Barnes on the back when the first copy arrived.

"Juli said, 'Mom, I'm proud of you,'" Barnes said. "It was one of the moments she was here as the 'Old Juli.'"

Before the accident, Juliana prodded Barnes to plug away at her dream of becoming a published author. Barnes had previously started—and stopped—writing 10 books. Juliana often offered to babysit her younger siblings (Barnes is a mother of six) to allow her mother time to pursue her dream.

The finished product is described as "a chronicle of international inspiration," and "a true reflection of love for a remarkable young lady and all those in her orbit wanting to do all they can."

With the entries in print, Barnes struggles to reread passages from some of Juliana's rougher moments.

"Even rereading it, it was hard," she said. "Many times, I was writing and crying at the same time.

"Anything that can make you feel that much, you have to do."

Barnes continues to update her blog, through the For Juliana website. The first book chronicles the first year after Juliana's accident, ending Oct. 2, 2010—the day Medina received his golden ticket to the next round of American Idol. Barnes is currently in the editing stages of the second book in the series.

Don't miss the attached Patch video of Barnes reading an excerpt from the book, written 13 days after Juliana's accident.

'For Juliana: Almost to the Almost, One Penny at a Time' is available for purchase through CreateSpace by clicking For Juliana: Almost to the Almost, One Penny at a Time. All proceeds go directly to Barnes and her family.