Flu Season Woes

Our amazing pediatricians are always helpful when we need them.  Recently, a prophylactic dose of Tamiflu had been administered to keep Kelsey feeling her best.

The next thing we know, Kelsey’s brother woke up warm and body aches started during day two.  Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with the flu even after receiving his flu shot.  Our house is now a zone of Lysol coupled with bleach.

We try so hard to shield our kids, but life is busy while we are making other plans.  While Tamiflu emerges once more in our home, we are grateful for the caring team that works to keep our family healthy.

Stay healthy out there and wash your hands!

Kindness for a Cure

Random Acts of Kindness followed a week dedicated to spreading cheer and joy at Kelsey’s School.  Then we were humbled with gratitude and our community’s support for Kindness for a Cure.  Kelsey lives in a community where she and another student suffer from a rare disease.  This year, one dedicated secretary (with the support of all around her) committed to supporting our local non-profit organizations for a school-wide fundraiser.  Wow.  The letter that went home is below:

One School’s Kindness for a Cure

February 10, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In coordination with the Great Kindness Challenge,  students, staff, and families raise funds for special causes each year. This year, our school will raise funds and awareness for two rare conditions that affect two very special students in our district. We will donate all the funds collected to the Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Foundation and Kelsey’s Kaleidoscope, Inc. Each organization will receive 50% of the funds.

To learn more, click on the links below:

Kelsey’s Kaleidoscope, Inc.

Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Foundation

Many of you may not be aware of these conditions and how they impact two local families, so we wanted to bring more awareness and attention to the rare conditions affecting Kelsey, a third-grade student, and Maggie, a fourth-grade student in our district.

We ask that families who want to donate coins, have their child bring them in a disposable container or baggie. Anyone who wants to donate via check, can do so by sending in a check written to either organization listed above. Donations can also be made online using the links above.

Our School is proud of the awareness we bring to our families and hope this fundraising effort can assist in bringing more attention and a possible cure to Kelsey, Maggie and all of those affected by these illnesses.

Thank you!  (All!)

We are blessed and grateful for this initiative of kindness.

 

#BraveSquad

The stress that a rare disease places on a family daily is sometimes hard to truly describe.  The quest for normalcy can sometimes drain us.  However, sometimes it brings us together in ways we never anticipated.

Kelsey’s brother has started a movement.  Since the start of the 2019-2020 school year, he has quietly supported his sister by wearing a BRAVE band.  It is a small movement, but one he leads daily with his BRAVE band.

When it was time to join a school club to support business ownership and the process of how to run a business, her brother and his buddies got to work.

Together, they designed unique items and together the #BraveSquad sold their items.  Proceeds of all purchases were donated to our organization.  We are beyond grateful.

Kelsey’s brother has looked forward to this night since September and he proudly sold 115 BRAVE bands with all proceeds going to Kelsey’s Kaleidoscope, Inc.  He does not always understand the rare journey we walk along together, but he has realized the importance of it in our lives.  He quietly supports his sister daily.  We are beyond proud.

#BraveSquad

#RareAsOne

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook Founder, and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, committed to the challenge, “Can we cure all diseases in our children’s lifetime?”  Daunting.  Amazing.  Fantastic idea!  Can they do it?  Here is to #hope…

On Monday, the couple announced one step in the right direction to conquer the challenge set forth in 2016.  They will offer grants to 30 recipients to advance research, training, and awareness.  Of the 30 selected, the dada2 foundation is one of the recipients to benefit from this large grant along with other resources over a two-year time period.

Wow.  We only hope our small community of dada2 patients grows and the resources lead to a cure for our girl and the many others we know with dada2.  Here is to hope and generosity in 2020…

#RareAsOne