For kids, the world can be a scary place sometimes. When they witness bad things happening to others they often wonder why it has to be that way.
Our own kids (Ava, Henry, and Ella) have had to watch their mother fight a battle against a rare and aggressive infection for four years. Then they had to be witnesses to her leg being amputated and all that comes with that. In addition to those events, they have to constantly battle against SMA each day.
On the other hand, they also get to witness the good hearts of people, in our Naperville Community (Church & Prairie Communities) and other communities, many people of whom they don't even know, entering our lives and providing a helping hand. They also witnessed family rallying around us. This experience teaches them compassion and generosity.
I work as a teacher in the community of Elmhurst, IL. I have been at the same school and the same grade (4th grade) for 19 years now. And when Ella was first diagnosed with SMA, the community rallied around us and threw a fundraiser that allowed us to buy a modified van for Ella. We are forever grateful to those who participated.
When Lindsay lost her foot to the infection--and the community of Elmhurst learned about it--they once again rallied behind us and provided support. Parents from my class of 2018-19 put together care packages for our kids. So much support came flooding in from the Elmhurst Community that they had to present us with care packages over a period of time; every few weeks. These care packages included games, coloring books and coloring supplies, toys, snacks and candy, s'mores ingredients, and a new video game system. We were taken aback at the generosity of those involved in supporting us.
Our family, church, and Prairie Communities also took hold of the opportunity to help us and offered meals, financial assistance, good thoughts and prayers, and neighborly help.
Ava, Henry and Ella have a lot on their minds these days. They wonder about the future of Ella and what that means for each of them. They inquire about what their mother will have to go through with two more surgeries coming up. They look forward to when Lindsay gets her prosthesis so she can walk without assistance.
And even though some bad things have happened over the past four years, it's comforting for all of us to know that there are so many people out there ready and willing to offer support; whether it be via care packages, meals, lemonade stands, financial support, helping with medical appointment transportation, babysitting, or prayers and positive thoughts.
Every bit of it helps.
Our own kids (Ava, Henry, and Ella) have had to watch their mother fight a battle against a rare and aggressive infection for four years. Then they had to be witnesses to her leg being amputated and all that comes with that. In addition to those events, they have to constantly battle against SMA each day.
On the other hand, they also get to witness the good hearts of people, in our Naperville Community (Church & Prairie Communities) and other communities, many people of whom they don't even know, entering our lives and providing a helping hand. They also witnessed family rallying around us. This experience teaches them compassion and generosity.
I work as a teacher in the community of Elmhurst, IL. I have been at the same school and the same grade (4th grade) for 19 years now. And when Ella was first diagnosed with SMA, the community rallied around us and threw a fundraiser that allowed us to buy a modified van for Ella. We are forever grateful to those who participated.
When Lindsay lost her foot to the infection--and the community of Elmhurst learned about it--they once again rallied behind us and provided support. Parents from my class of 2018-19 put together care packages for our kids. So much support came flooding in from the Elmhurst Community that they had to present us with care packages over a period of time; every few weeks. These care packages included games, coloring books and coloring supplies, toys, snacks and candy, s'mores ingredients, and a new video game system. We were taken aback at the generosity of those involved in supporting us.
Our family, church, and Prairie Communities also took hold of the opportunity to help us and offered meals, financial assistance, good thoughts and prayers, and neighborly help.
Ava, Henry and Ella have a lot on their minds these days. They wonder about the future of Ella and what that means for each of them. They inquire about what their mother will have to go through with two more surgeries coming up. They look forward to when Lindsay gets her prosthesis so she can walk without assistance.
And even though some bad things have happened over the past four years, it's comforting for all of us to know that there are so many people out there ready and willing to offer support; whether it be via care packages, meals, lemonade stands, financial support, helping with medical appointment transportation, babysitting, or prayers and positive thoughts.
Every bit of it helps.
Friends from Elmhurst Delivering Care Packages
