I thought of that special bond recently after reading a request to help a courageous grandmother who lovingly serves as legal guardian for her four-year-old granddaughter. This little girl was neurologically devastated in infancy when the brutal shaking given by her father caused a severe brain injury. Unable to communicate, she is completely dependent upon others for everything.

The grandmother, a former nurse, manages her granddaughter’s complex medical needs that include a tracheostomy and 24-hour mechanical ventilation. The grandmother’s decision to quit her demanding nursing career and a good portion of her salary, to take a less stressful position as a janitor, was a necessary move to handle the constant medical and personal care needs of her granddaughter.

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day approaching I am reminded of the unconditional love, tremendous sacrifices, and difficult decisions parents and grandparents are forced to make when caring for medically fragile children. We hear of these severe situations daily, like the recent referral for parents whose six-year-old son carries the diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.

This beautiful boy has almost every muscle in his body impacted by this disease leaving him with the ability to move only one finger--nothing else. He communicates with his eyes and breathes with the help of a ventilator. He is cared for at home with the help of nurses, who don’t always show up for their shifts. Because of the economy the father’s job as a carpenter isn’t always full time. Income has been reduced. They have no extended family to help. They are struggling to keep up with the household and medical expenses, as well as the high utility bills caused by the medical equipment required for their son. They are struggling to cope with the deterioration of their young son’s life.

Through our many programs we can help lighten the burdens for parents and grandparents like these. We can help them through a crisis with financial assistance for household bills, transportation expenses, and purchases of air conditioners and handicap equipment not covered by insurance. We can also give them a great experience for the holidays, a day of fun and respite during Family Fun Day on the Spirit of Philadelphia or at Longwood Gardens, as well as a myriad of other secured donations including furniture, clothing, and even handicap-accessible vans and cars.

This October we will celebrate the 35th anniversary of our organization. We will remember the many families, close to 20,000, who received our help because of the kindness and generosity of our donors and volunteers who have made that help possible. This year we expect to serve close to 1,400 families caring for seriously ill, physically and mentally challenged, and severely injured children.

We can give them hope . . . with your help. They’re counting on us. We’re counting on you. Please help us by clicking Donate Now at the top right of this page--and thank you.