VOLUME 8: ISSUE 9
Keeping This Family Together, No Matter What!
Seven-year-old Dillon Beesley has pretty much been confined to one room in his house for nearly a year. A window unit air-conditioner and space heater in his bedroom have provided the HVAC stability his fragile health condition requires.
Dillon has Mitochondrial disease and suffers from nearly 100 seizures daily, gets his nourishment via a feeding tube and has a chest port for easy IV fluid access. He began having seizures when three months old. His mother, Debbie, quit her job at the U.S. Postal Service, "thinking that he wouldn't be here very long," and remarks, "The Lord has let me keep him seven years."
Dramatic problems with the family's duct work and dying HVAC system had reached a crisis point earlier this summer when Debbie called Dream House for advice. As her electricity bills began to skyrocket and the home environment became unsafe for the entire family, Debbie was at a breaking point, desperate to keep her family and home together.
Gifts that Keep on Giving
We were all inspired by Haley Crites and Kayla Whitner, young Dream House supporters highlighted in recent Silver Lining newsletters. But none more than three cousins: Renee Cunningham, Brooks Britt and Joy Youngblood. After their parents shared the stories of how kids their age championed special fund raising efforts that gave aid to medically fragile children, they too, raised money for Dream House. Their donation set the wheels in motion to help Dillon, his mom and brother Corbin.
Answering the Call
For several months, Dream House staff have acted as liaisons to connect the Beesleys with supporters and community resources that will allow this strong-willed, single mother to provide for her family without having to ask for help.
Debbie wants to return to work but is trapped by circumstances out of her control. "I was so blessed to be able to work, and take care of myself and my boys," she said, "Seven years ago, I never would have thought I wouldn't be able to keep up with my groceries and pay the bills. I guess until you are in this situation, none of us have a clue." This is just a glimpse of what one family faces caring 24/7/365 for a medically fragile child, just trying to keep it together.
Then another miracle happened. Long-time Dream House benefactor Paulson Cheek Mechanical made an offer. They would install a new HVAC system and duct work for free if Dream House could help Debbie raise enough money to offset the equipment costs. It just so happens...
Timing was Perfect
Renee, Brooks and Joy's donation, grouped with Kayla Whitner's birthday donation from her grandfather, gave this project the green light. Within two weeks, the Beesley's home air quality was transformed by the Paulson Cheek Mechanical crew.
"Renee, Brooks and Joy, along with their families are thrilled that Dillon and his family were able to get a new HVAC system, as it is vital to him being able to stay with his family," Renee's mother Pam Cunningham commented after learning how their donation would be used. "Children with disabilities are very close to our families' hearts because our first cousin, Hannah Clayton, has severe cerebral palsy and will turn 29 in January. Our aunt and uncle have cared for Hannah at home all these years and they are our heroes."
Renee said, "Wow, now Dillon's mother doesn't have to worry about keeping him comfortable in the house...that's great news."
- Paulson Cheek Crew (L-R): Randy Thornburg, Yeimi Delgado-Rodriguez, John Beebout, Marshall Cheek, Jeff Luiz, Carlos Alba
And, Not a Minute too Soon!
Another compromise the Beesley family has had to make affects big brother Corbin. As the sibling of a medically fragile child, life is particularly tough because caring for that child affects the entire family. His mom calls Corbin "an amazing boy." Corbin is now home-schooled because Dillon kept getting sick from all the germs he would bring home. Debbie cannot take Corbin out for fun events because she is unable overcome the logistical hurdles necessary to find qualified respite care for Dillon. Schedules and plans change at a moment's notice.
On Saturday, September 12, Corbin was going to play all day at the community event Main Street Fair, then help his mom as she spoke to concert-goers at Music on Main, both major fund raising events for Dream House. Paulson Cheek Mechanical would spend the entire day at Corbin's house so when his family returned home, they would sleep more comfortably than at any time in recent memory.
Wouldn't you know it? The H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) struck both Beesley boys and unfortunately, no one in the family got to do any of these fun things. The guys from Paulson Cheek stayed on schedule though, and the silver lining to the story is that this sick family immediately began breathing easier that evening.
Dream House is coordinating a time for Corbin to meet Renee, Brooks, Joy and Kayla, the four kids his age who helped bring some stability back into his family's world. And maybe these kids will form a bond and have a chance to spend more time together.
Moving Parts Working in Harmony
The Dream House mission is alive and well because of supporters like you. For the Beesleys, one of their many challenges has now been faced and conquered. One roadblock in Debbie's quest for self-sufficiency is gone. She now has a power bill she can pay and a safe home environment for her family.
"Dream House has made it possible for for us to stay in our home and for Dillon to have what he needs," commented Debbie. "They have been like angels. I can be feeling like I can't go any further and the phone will ring. It will be someone from Dream House just checking in. No one knows how much that means, to know you are thought of and that someone cares."
Your dedication continues to give Dream House the ability to empower families and communities to care for their medically fragile children at home. Stories we share with you highlight the numerous ways our not-for-profit organization connects families with community friends and resources to improve quality of life for their children. Dream House solely relies on private donations to make this happen. Would you share this newsletter or the Dream House Wish List with others?
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your ongoing generous gifts of goods, services, money and volunteer hours. Most of all, thank you for believing and demonstrating that together we can change lives - one child at a time.
