View high resolution
This is beautiful to me, I got this email from Kathy today she is the mom of Ian and Ronnie (a single working mom at that). Ian has a genetic disorder called Adrenoleukodystrophy, to save his life he had a bone marrow transplant that destroyed a large part of his brain functioning, despite all of his trials and in due largely to his strong and unconditionally loving mom and sister he is a joy to be around happy and laughing and all. I feel blessed to be a part of their lives and was excited about this so thought i would share. I hope you are all having great days. (hes a teenager now, this picture was from when he was just a little guy (and I wish I could make this picture smaller but alas I don’t know how))
“This past summer I received a letter from the DHS. Now I consider myself of average intelligence. I think I can read and understand a letter. You would think if you won something the first line of the letter would state, “Congratulations, you have won!” but no. Couldn’t understand what the letter was conveying so I did what everyone would do, I threw it out. I think that’s when God said, “Really? Really, you’re threw that out.” A couple weeks later Beth from Community Alternatives called and left me a message. The message said, “You received a letter. You need to call me.” I met Beth the first time I filled out the PUNS, eight years ago. Community Alternatives is the liaison between you and the state. So the message sat on my desk and God threw up his hands and said, “COME ON.” A few days later, God said, “Ah ha, I’ll have Ian’s school call. She’ll answer that call.” Sure enough I answered the call and the social worker said, “Ian received a letter. You need to call Beth.” It was at this point I was getting paranoid. How did everyone know I received a letter? She told me what Ian had won. Until Ian’s 18 (currently 16-1/2) I will receive $1300/month for in-home care for Ian. My sister Barb (retired teacher) has been wanting a part-time job for years. I can hire her to do occupational therapy with Ian. AND because Ian won this lottery (gotta love a state that provides for special needs in a lottery) he doesn’t have until his 18 to receive Medicaid. This means Ian’s feeding tube supplies ($8900/month) gets paid for, his diapers ($150/month) gets paid for and the hospital bed he desperately needs, will be paid for. AND once Ian reaches 18 the money will more than double and goes directly to me for Ian. This means I won’t have owe doctors, hospitals, specialists each month. I can pay them off. This money will also pay for day services for Ian once he leaves Kirk School at age 22. AND in every 5 year period the state will give me $15,000 for home improvements so that track I’ve always talked about, we can get. I want to put a track through my house, in the ceiling and it will have a seat or sling attached to it and hang down. I will be able to transport Ian throughout the house along the track and not have to carry him. Ian comes up to my shoulders now and he’s 72 pounds, we need the track. AND the money is provided for Ian’s entire life. Quite exciting stuff. I’ve prayed to God for help for so long and thank you LORD for answering my prayer. He is great and loves Ian so much. I’m so blessed to be Ronnie and Ian’s mom. It’s so awesome to see God’s glory shine through both of them.”
