I can't even believe that the 16th is creeping up so fast! It seems like just the other day we were sitting at Pizza Hut talking about what we were going to do? That was in February! My how time flys! I am so excited for it to be here, and for it to be over with.
Hope to see many of you next Saturday. It should be a fun day for the whole family and I know my kids are really excited and they really don't know what it is they are excited about :) Although now that they know the Fire Truck is coming they are just that much more excited! It will be fun
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pay It Forward
I really am amazed and blessed at the help we've received from the community, family, friends and strangers! Thank you, merci, gracias...
I know one day I will be able to pay it forward and help out somebody, maybe it will be you? Looking forward to that day!
It's getting closer and closer by the second according to my countdown clock! I'm not sure if that thing is giving me more anxiety or helping me remember when our event is? All of the details are coming together and I am excited, nervous and stressed all rolled into the pit of my stomach! My biggest fear is that no one will come! Does anyone know that this carnival/auction is even happening?
A few prayer requests:
I know one day I will be able to pay it forward and help out somebody, maybe it will be you? Looking forward to that day!
It's getting closer and closer by the second according to my countdown clock! I'm not sure if that thing is giving me more anxiety or helping me remember when our event is? All of the details are coming together and I am excited, nervous and stressed all rolled into the pit of my stomach! My biggest fear is that no one will come! Does anyone know that this carnival/auction is even happening?
A few prayer requests:
- The main road in front of the church is all torn up to pieces! Please pray that people that want to come will be able to find it and there will not be any major construction going on the day of our event!
- that people will come:)
- The weather will be nice for our event!
Praises:
- My husband knows a couple that puts on a carnival themed event every year. They are letting us borrow whatever we need!!! Thank you
- My friends and family are helping me plan this event!
- We already have had some monetary donations come in and we are amazed!
Notice in the sidebar I have added a list of events taking place during the carnival and some of the auction items!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Do you like to buy online?
Today beginning at 4:00pm EST two shops on Etsy will be holding a mini-fundraiser for Alaina, with all the proceeds going directly to her! This picture just shows off some of the goodies that will be up for sale! So if you like to buy online, love handmade goodies that no one else has then you need to go visit these adorable shops and start adding to that cart of yours!
The shops you can find all of the goodies at are Little Bit Funky and Jane Says these two girls are super friendly and take paypal too:)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Thank you...
Hi All, I have been trying lately to put on this blog a meter to keep everyone up to date on how much money we have raised for Alaina. I'm having a tough time finding one:) To date we have raised $1840, Thank you!
An update on her surgery...everything is going as planned and we have the date, we just booked our hotel and I just made an appointment with her pediatrician for a history and physical, plus she needs some lab work done! Since we have confirmed that we are having the surgery done, the amounts are confirmed...for the actual surgery it is about $8700, for her to be in the hospital it is about $3500 and for the anesthesiologist it is $875. So we estimated a little low. We trust that God will provide for our needs and we are so thankful for every one's support thus far!!!
An update on her surgery...everything is going as planned and we have the date, we just booked our hotel and I just made an appointment with her pediatrician for a history and physical, plus she needs some lab work done! Since we have confirmed that we are having the surgery done, the amounts are confirmed...for the actual surgery it is about $8700, for her to be in the hospital it is about $3500 and for the anesthesiologist it is $875. So we estimated a little low. We trust that God will provide for our needs and we are so thankful for every one's support thus far!!!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
At the park...an update!
Alaina is doing so well! We officially got the letter from Dr. Nuzzo stating that she is a candidate for the PERC's surgery so we are very excited about that. So we are planning for the end of September. There is a link to what Dr. Nuzzo does on the sidebar.
We took the girls to the park and they had so much fun!
This picture is so cute. Addie wanted to hang onto Alaina's hand, but she needs it to hold onto the walker, so Addie just held onto her walker and walked side by side:) so sweet!
We are on summer vacation and Alaina is enrolled in Occupational therapy and Aquatic therapy. She loves both!
We took the girls to the park and they had so much fun!
This picture is so cute. Addie wanted to hang onto Alaina's hand, but she needs it to hold onto the walker, so Addie just held onto her walker and walked side by side:) so sweet!
We are on summer vacation and Alaina is enrolled in Occupational therapy and Aquatic therapy. She loves both!Thank you to all who have supported us already! We appreciate it so much!
I will be adding the list of auction items soon!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Our Sponsorship Letter...
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and learn more about the fundraising efforts for our daughter, Alaina Joy. We were very thankful when Alaina turned four years old in April. This was a miracle, considering she was born 16 weeks early and weighed just over 1 ½ pounds! She overcame many obstacles during her four-month stay at the DeVos Children’s Hospital. At 15 months old, Alaina was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, specifically Spastic Diplegia, which causes muscles in the hips and legs to tighten. Because of this, Alaina has a hard time walking, sitting and doing many other normal four year old activities.
Recently, we were introduced to the Conductive Learning Center (CLC), which was established to help children like Alaina. Since she began attending the CLC, Alaina’s self confidence has improved, as well as her stamina and strength. She is now able to pull herself to her feet and sit for longer durations. Alaina is in a classroom setting for five hours a day, five days a week. In this environment, she is motivated by both the therapists and other children just like her. The CLC shares our goal, which is to help Alaina become as independent as possible.
In addition to conductive education, there is a procedure called PERCs (selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening). It is an outpatient surgery that lengthens tight muscles. This would greatly increase Alaina’s mobility potential by allowing her muscles to be stretched more than ever before. If these muscles are not stretched, they will shorten permanently, which could cause bone deformities. We have seen firsthand the marvelous results of kids who have undergone the PERCs procedure.
We are excited by the potential that these opportunities offer Alaina, but we are overwhelmed by the financial burden. The annual tuition to attend the CLC is $15,000. The estimated cost to perform the PERCs procedure is $8,000. To help with these expenses, we will be hosting an upcoming carnival/auction fundraiser to benefit Alaina’s care. We are seeking help from our friends, family and community businesses. We greatly appreciate any assistance, referrals and support you can provide Alaina. With your permission, we would like to acknowledge your support at our event, and highlight you on our blog (http://www.thealainajoyfundraiser.blogspot.com/). This event will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Zeeland, MI. We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Jeremy and Trisha
I (we) would like to help in the following way(s):
Recently, we were introduced to the Conductive Learning Center (CLC), which was established to help children like Alaina. Since she began attending the CLC, Alaina’s self confidence has improved, as well as her stamina and strength. She is now able to pull herself to her feet and sit for longer durations. Alaina is in a classroom setting for five hours a day, five days a week. In this environment, she is motivated by both the therapists and other children just like her. The CLC shares our goal, which is to help Alaina become as independent as possible.
In addition to conductive education, there is a procedure called PERCs (selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening). It is an outpatient surgery that lengthens tight muscles. This would greatly increase Alaina’s mobility potential by allowing her muscles to be stretched more than ever before. If these muscles are not stretched, they will shorten permanently, which could cause bone deformities. We have seen firsthand the marvelous results of kids who have undergone the PERCs procedure.
We are excited by the potential that these opportunities offer Alaina, but we are overwhelmed by the financial burden. The annual tuition to attend the CLC is $15,000. The estimated cost to perform the PERCs procedure is $8,000. To help with these expenses, we will be hosting an upcoming carnival/auction fundraiser to benefit Alaina’s care. We are seeking help from our friends, family and community businesses. We greatly appreciate any assistance, referrals and support you can provide Alaina. With your permission, we would like to acknowledge your support at our event, and highlight you on our blog (http://www.thealainajoyfundraiser.blogspot.com/). This event will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Zeeland, MI. We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Jeremy and Trisha
I (we) would like to help in the following way(s):
Donate a new item or gift certificate for the auction
Make a monetary donation to Alaina Joy
Make a monetary donation to Alaina Joy
Volunteer to help at the upcoming carnival/auction fundraiser
I (we) wish to remain anonymous
*For questions or additional information, please feel free to contact us at daisysanddots@yahoo.com
*For questions or additional information, please feel free to contact us at daisysanddots@yahoo.com
Monday, May 5, 2008
Spastic Diplegia - A form of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. Cerebral palsy can be caused by trauma to one or more specific areas of the brain, most likely occurring sometime between fetal development and infancy. The disorders associated with cerebral palsy are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves, but instead by faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain. This disrupts the brain's ability to properly control movement and posture. The area of the brain in which trauma occurred will determine the affects of the condition.
Cerebral palsy has different forms and one such form is spastic diplegia. Spastic diplegia is when both legs are affected by cerebral palsy. A patient may have difficulty walking because of tight muscles in the hips and legs, causing the legs to turn inward and cross at the knees. This causes the legs to move stiff and awkward causing a characteristic walking rhythm known as the scissors gait.
Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage in the outer layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex. Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy affects nearly 70 to 80 percent of patients and is the most common form of cerebral palsy. Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy symptoms include increased tone, or tension, in a muscle. Normal muscles work in pairs and when one group of muscles contract, the other group relaxes, allowing uninhibited movement in the desired direction.
Complications in brain-to-nerve-to-muscle communication prevent the normal degree of muscle tension. Muscles affected by spastic diplegia cerebral palsy become active together and block effective movement. This results in the muscles of spastic diplegia cerebral palsy patients to be constantly tense, or spastic.
Cerebral palsy can be classified by the way it affects movement or by the number of limbs it affects. These classifications can be combined to describe severe conditions such as spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. In spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, all four limbs are affected; both legs, as well as mild affects in the arms are present.
Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy tends to affect the legs of a patient more than the arms. Spastic diplegia patients have more extensive involvement of the lower extremity than the upper extremity. Patients with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy will eventually have the ability to walk. Patients with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy are typically characterized by a crouched gait. Gait analysis and proper treatment can correct toe walking and flexed knees, which are common attributes of spastic diplegia.
Individuals with spastic diplegia can be helped by specialized treatment teams to decide which treatments are best suited for them. Leg braces, gait analysis, botox injections, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and several other treatments can help to manage spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. A specialized treatment team should include a physical therapist, pediatrician, physiatrist, neurologist and neurosurgeon, and an orthopedic surgeon that can all aid in the decision making process.
* Information gathered from the Cerebral Palsy Source *
Cerebral palsy has different forms and one such form is spastic diplegia. Spastic diplegia is when both legs are affected by cerebral palsy. A patient may have difficulty walking because of tight muscles in the hips and legs, causing the legs to turn inward and cross at the knees. This causes the legs to move stiff and awkward causing a characteristic walking rhythm known as the scissors gait.
Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage in the outer layer of the brain, the cerebral cortex. Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy affects nearly 70 to 80 percent of patients and is the most common form of cerebral palsy. Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy symptoms include increased tone, or tension, in a muscle. Normal muscles work in pairs and when one group of muscles contract, the other group relaxes, allowing uninhibited movement in the desired direction.
Complications in brain-to-nerve-to-muscle communication prevent the normal degree of muscle tension. Muscles affected by spastic diplegia cerebral palsy become active together and block effective movement. This results in the muscles of spastic diplegia cerebral palsy patients to be constantly tense, or spastic.
Cerebral palsy can be classified by the way it affects movement or by the number of limbs it affects. These classifications can be combined to describe severe conditions such as spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. In spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, all four limbs are affected; both legs, as well as mild affects in the arms are present.
Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy tends to affect the legs of a patient more than the arms. Spastic diplegia patients have more extensive involvement of the lower extremity than the upper extremity. Patients with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy will eventually have the ability to walk. Patients with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy are typically characterized by a crouched gait. Gait analysis and proper treatment can correct toe walking and flexed knees, which are common attributes of spastic diplegia.
Individuals with spastic diplegia can be helped by specialized treatment teams to decide which treatments are best suited for them. Leg braces, gait analysis, botox injections, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and several other treatments can help to manage spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. A specialized treatment team should include a physical therapist, pediatrician, physiatrist, neurologist and neurosurgeon, and an orthopedic surgeon that can all aid in the decision making process.
* Information gathered from the Cerebral Palsy Source *
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