Here is Lindsay, what a beautiful young lady she is.
Here is her story.

Two years ago the Ryners received news that their first child was on the way.   Joyce, as any new mother, began preparing for the new arrival and was overjoyed when the routine doctor visits revealed the normal development of a healthy baby girl.  In April, Lindsay came into the world and was sent home soon after her birth.  

     But before the family had a chance to adjust to the changes of caring for a baby, Joyce began noticing that her 3 month-old daughter’s breathing was heavy and irregular.  After several appointments with the family doctor, which revealed nothing, an ER visit led to the discovery that Lindsay’s oxygen levels were far below normal. Doctors sent the Ryners to CHKD where Lindsay was diagnosed with SMA type 1.  (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)   

     While in the hospital, Lindsay’s symptoms peaked.  A sudden and dramatic drop in blood oxygen content turned the little girl blue and the doctors rushed to save her life.   After 8 months in the hospital, Lindsay and her family were allowed to go home but she was a different baby from then on. 

     The Ryners are adjusting to having a child with a disability but they are not immune to the emotional and financial affects of this condition.  For 16 hours a day, a nurse stays in their home to care for Lindsay who requires a trach, a ventilator, and a g-tube for daily survival.  For the other 8 hours when there is no nursing care the couple takes care of Lindsay by themselves.  This past year, they took separate vacations at separate times to keep one of them staying with Lindsay at all times.  But they hope to take a family vacation one day with Lindsay. 

     While children with SMA type 1 rarely live past their 2^nd birthday, the Ryners are hopeful that they can give Lindsay a happy life.  

Very handsome young man and full of life too!
Here is Jaydis's Story:

Three-year-old Jaydis was born determined and struggling to live 16 weeks before his due date.  Because he came so early, multiple problems arose.  His brain began to bleed and the grade 3 hemorrhage resulted in cerebral palsy, seizures, and sickness.  These trials became a common occurrence for the little boy and for four of his 5 ½ months in the hospital he stayed on a ventilator just to survive.  But Jaydis did survive.  When he was finally allowed to go home it was both a relief and a worry to his mother.  Jaydis is Canyel’s only child but she must balance work, school, and Jaydis’s special needs.  

  Currently, Canyel has no in-home nursing care.  She depends heavily on her mother and grandmother to take care of him when she must be at work or attend classes.  Though she plans to move from away from the Hampton Roads area eventually, it will be difficult to do so unless a nurse can be found.  Without the help of her family, Canyel admits, she wouldn’t be able to take care of her son.  It is difficult for her knowing that Jaydis will never have a normal life.  She must stay alert to the constant threats to his health.  Even something as small as a mosquito bite can be cause for Canyel to rush her little boy to the ER. 

Thankfully, for now, Jaydis is doing well.  That is obvious just from looking at his bright eyes as he wriggles impatiently in his mother’s arms.  If he continues his steady growth there is good reason to believe that he will be able to walk and become more independent as he matures.  He will still require medicine to control the seizures and physical therapy to maintain control over his limbs but the prognosis for his moderate cerebral palsy is very promising.    

Our family's wish is to have some much needed nursing care so Jaydis's mom could take some much needed time off from her busy schedule.

We are wanting to give them a few days away at a local hotel on the beach with meals included. Please help us make their wish come true!