Hope blankets started in the summer 2016. I grew up with a nonverbal autistic cousin, Rachel. I've always felt comfortable and compassionate about kids with special needs but the journey through making blankets started with a little boy named Liam. Liam was 3 years old and battled stage IV Neuroblastoma, I knew Liam through some of my friends at school. When Liam was sick, I asked my Grandma to help me sew a blanket for him. Unfortunately Liam passed away at age three, and I among many others was heartbroken. Liam truly changed my life, and inspired me to make my love for helping into something beautiful. Thanks to Liam, I decided to commit to sending blankets to children across the US with cancer, chronic illness, special needs, disabilities, and any form of life changing and rare medical diagnosis. Fighting an illness is hard, and for children who are medically fragile or have special needs, their childhood is often much different than others their age. They may spend their evenings in therapy instead of playing outside. They often spend weekends receiving life saving medical treatments like transfusions or chemo. They may spend much less time with classmates because of hospital admissions or special education classes. Many children fighting battles have to think about things no child should have to worry about. I decided I wanted to do something about this. As much as I wish I could take away all suffering, I cannot. However I do want to spread light and kindness in every way I can. Helping people all over the world is my passion. I hope to help make kids smile when they get a soft blanket in the mail, even if it's just for a minute. Many children bring their Hope Blankets to hospital stays or visits as a source of comfort. I've also found when kids get a package in the mail from someone they don't know, it really shows how much I among many others care about them. Hope Blankets are a symbol of hope, comfort, and love through the ups and downs of living an abnormal life.
|