This is a heart warming story that I hope will move you to make a small contribution. The story comes from 11Alive here in the greater Atlanta area. So read the story, watch the video and then go to Operation Gracyn and make a difference.
LOGANVILLE, Ga. -- In the town of Loganville, so many in the community have reached out to help a four-year-old girl with cerebral palsy.
The girl is Gracyn Rhodes, and she was born at just 2 lbs., 6 oz. eleven weeks ahead of schedule. Her mother, Brandi, says doctors told her that night Gracyn would be "lucky to make it through the night."
Gracyn made it through the night, but she was developmentally slow and two years later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The two years since have been filled with therapy, injections, and braces -- even though Gracyn has learned to walk relatively well without them.
But she still struggles and falls frequently. Her family believes they have found the answer in a rare surgery called SDR; it helps with the spasticity and only applies a few CP patients.
But Gracyn falls into that group.
The surgery costs $40,000 and is best done in St. Louis; insurance won't cover out-of-state surgery, so the family has turned to the community in Loganville.
And the community has responded.
In less than a month, the people of Loganville have contributed roughly $14,000 to Gracyn. But, of course, that's not nearly enough, and Gracyn's parents are hoping to have raised the full $40,000 before their daughter's surgery in October.
Please go to www.operationgracyn.com to find out more and donate to the cause.
(Click to play the add...then click play again to see the news story)
Showing posts with label Gracyn Rhodes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gracyn Rhodes. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Operation Gracyn
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." ~Angela Schwindt
Today it is simple, help a child in need. Gracyn Rhodes is a child in need of a surgery that will change her life forever.
"...a miracle child right from the beginning. Eight weeks into my pregnancy they gave her a 50% chance of survival. At 28 weeks, on April 29, 2005, Gracyn Summer Rhodes was born, weighing only 2 pounds 6 ounces and was no bigger than her Daddy’s hand.
Unfortunately, our joy was short-lived. The most heart crushing moment was when I bravely asked the doctor, what Gracyn’s first goal would be. His response, “to make it through the night”. In our pursuit to give Gracyn the best possible care, she was sent to a neurologist to perform an MRI.
It was then that we were given the biggest blow of all: Gracyn was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. This was the beginning of yet another exhausting and confusing journey. No instruction manual. No such thing as a “CP doctor”. What now? We kept searching and calling and researching, until one day, we found SDR."
What can you do?
You can help by donating small or large amounts to help the Rhodes pay for their daughter's surgery. Time is of the essence as the window of opportunity is small. The Rhodes are going forward regardless of any one's assistance, any parent would. But we can help them with the costs, with the transportation, with the housing needed while in St. Louis and the cost of physical therapy when they return home. Very little of the costs are covered by insurance, so any amount you can donate is appreciated.
How do you donate?
Stop what you are doing right now and go to Operation Gracyn and click on the "CHIP IN" button now.
But how do I find out more before donating?
All of the information is contained on the Operation Gracyn website. It also contains a link that describes the SDR surgery, doctor, hospital and anything you need to find out.
But most of all, click on that CHIP IN button and donate $4, $40, $400, $4000 or $40,000. Any amount will help and is greatly appreciated.
"...a miracle child right from the beginning. Eight weeks into my pregnancy they gave her a 50% chance of survival. At 28 weeks, on April 29, 2005, Gracyn Summer Rhodes was born, weighing only 2 pounds 6 ounces and was no bigger than her Daddy’s hand.
Unfortunately, our joy was short-lived. The most heart crushing moment was when I bravely asked the doctor, what Gracyn’s first goal would be. His response, “to make it through the night”. In our pursuit to give Gracyn the best possible care, she was sent to a neurologist to perform an MRI.
It was then that we were given the biggest blow of all: Gracyn was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. This was the beginning of yet another exhausting and confusing journey. No instruction manual. No such thing as a “CP doctor”. What now? We kept searching and calling and researching, until one day, we found SDR."
What can you do?
You can help by donating small or large amounts to help the Rhodes pay for their daughter's surgery. Time is of the essence as the window of opportunity is small. The Rhodes are going forward regardless of any one's assistance, any parent would. But we can help them with the costs, with the transportation, with the housing needed while in St. Louis and the cost of physical therapy when they return home. Very little of the costs are covered by insurance, so any amount you can donate is appreciated.
How do you donate?
Stop what you are doing right now and go to Operation Gracyn and click on the "CHIP IN" button now.
But how do I find out more before donating?
All of the information is contained on the Operation Gracyn website. It also contains a link that describes the SDR surgery, doctor, hospital and anything you need to find out.
But most of all, click on that CHIP IN button and donate $4, $40, $400, $4000 or $40,000. Any amount will help and is greatly appreciated.
"In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us." -Flora Edwards
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