One is a big sister; the other is a little sister.
One fights to help find treatments or a cure for SMA; the other fights to survive the effects of SMA.
Yet they really don't know one another. Until just recently.
Two years ago a young girl entered my 4th grade classroom. She was (and is) full of life, energy, and goodwill. She has a strong personality...knowing what she wants, going forward with her plans, and lets nothing stand in her way. She's determined, she's straight-forward, she's big-hearted.
In many ways since I've known her she has supported Ella's fight against SMA. She has had lemonade stands, made cards for Ella, and asked about her...genuinely wanting to know how she is faring. Her name is Hannah.
I received an email from her mother asking if it would be all right if Hannah did something for Ella. Hannah's plan was to have her 11th birthday party benefit Ella. Instead of gifts she asked her friends to donate to Ella the money they would have spent on a present for her.
Not only was this an act of extreme kindness, selflessness, and love, it came at a time that found Ella's bank account nearly at 'zero'. The expense required to care for Ella outside of what insurance and other sources can provide falls on us. We do our best and it is a struggle.
A few days prior to the e-mail coming in Lindsay and I were having a long discussion about how we were going to rearrange our finances in order pay for Ella's needs. With the bank account nearing 'zero' we were prepared to be creative as well as sacrifice much.
Through Hannah we know that God worked for Ella once more; providing for her in a way that we simply could not. The financial goal we set with Hannah was far exceeded and we are so very grateful for her and her friends and family.
An 11-year-old who gives up her birthday gifts to benefit another...Wow!
