Three months after Asher was born,
Kelly was connected to Better2gether and
met Carissa, B2g resource coordinator.
Carissa learned about Asher's medical
needs and worked to secure a stroller
through Better2gether's community
partnership with Little Hands.
While Kelly had a stroller, she didn't
know she would need a special one to
support Asher's low muscle tone and carry
his oxygen, feeding bag and supplies. The
new stroller has been a game-changer for
traveling to medical appointments.
"Without fail, Carissa was there to check
on Asher and to listen," shares Kelly.
"Whether a text or sending a gift card to
help with gas for trips to the hospital, she's
there. Life would have been more stressful
without her."
Your gift funds Carissa's critical resource coordination work which equips
families with the necessary supplies and tools to care for their child. Thank you
for this life-changing gift of support to families caring for their sick child!
is the word Kelly and Calvin use most to describe their son, Asher, which
feels about right for someone so tiny who creates so much joy for his family.
AMAZING
Asher's family was overwhelmed by not
knowing how to fully care for him as he was born
with Down Syndrome and a heart defect. He
spent eight weeks in the hospital with his mom
Kelly driving every day to be with him, then
hustling home in the evening to pick up Asher's
two older siblings from daycare.
"I wasn't mentally prepared for Asher to be in
the PICU that long," reflects mom Kelly. "When
we went home, the hardest part was feeling so
isolated. We couldn't be around family or friends
because of Asher's weakened immune system. I
needed support – to just talk, to give normalcy to
what we were going through."
From reading oxygen levels while Asher slept
to keeping up with nine medical specialists, Kelly
and dad Calvin were thrust into the unfamiliar
world of caring for a medically complex child
and preparing him for heart surgery.