Dream House elves have been busy this holiday season matching individual and corporate giving requests with needs of those we serve in Georgia.
We sure do appreciate you! The generosity of ALL our supporters has enabled Dream House to pioneer a unique service-delivery model that has, and will continue to, drastically improve the lives of medically fragile children and their families. Thank you for believing in 'The Dream.'
Dream House first met the Jenness family through dad, Mike, as he and 19 co-workers from Gwinnett County's 2008 EXCEL Class built the new sandbox pavilion at the Lilburn Transition Care Home this summer. Guests attending the recent Music-on-Main event heard mom, Candice, tearfully outline the struggles their youngest child, Susan, has endured as a medically fragile child.
Although the family made voluntary, life-altering financial plans and sacrifices prior to Susan's birth, before her first birthday, Susan's health care expenses had already exceeded $1 million.
Dream House is so very grateful to the Jenness household for their advocacy role that raises awareness for the plight of these precious kids. Telling their personal story teaches others what an average American family must endure when they CHOOSE to keep their medically fragile child.
Following is an appeal sent from this family, a plea that provides a poignant "reality check" during the holiday season.
Laura: This is so difficult to write...We have never had to rely on other people and it feels uncomfortable to say the least. At your request, I am sending Dream House our children's wish list for Christmas. I have also listed some of our expenses that we could use help with now or in the future. As usual, any help would be greatly appreciated... as little or as much as you can do...it all makes a huge difference!!!! Thank you for all you do for us, and for all the other kids and families. We have worked hard to keep our financial commitments current as they are important to our family, but we have been unable to do so because of a series of unexpected circumstances. Therefore we find ourselves in a very uncomfortable financial situation especially at Christmas time.
Wishes for Our Children:
- Susan (age 1) Huggies diapers size 3, wipes, 12-month clothing (two-piece or one-piece without feet), puzzles with large knobs, 21" therapy ball, board books
- John (age 6) Target Gift Card, size 8-regular pants and shirts, socks
- Meaghan (age 17) Target and Forever 21 Gift Cards
- Lauren (age 18) Old Navy Gift Card, assistance with expenses for Georgia Perimeter College where she is studing pre-nursing and has aspirations to work for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Family Wish List: The home we rented was foreclosed on and our former landlord did not return our deposit because he simply did not have it to return. With only a 30-day notice, we focused all our energies on locating a new home, packing and moving. We were unable to have our monthly garage sale which has been raising between $800-1,200 to help offset our monthly bills.
- Assistance paying seven separate medical bill balances totaling $1,266.25 (three accounts at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, three at Northside Hospital and one at Gwinnett Medical Center)
- We are behind on our car payment by $607.14, and any help catching up on this debt would be wonderful. Our current month's payment due is $296.61.
- With the same lender we have a personal loan that is behind as well by $258.00, with a current month's payment due for $114.00.
- Additionally, two weeks ago our daughter Lauren was driving my car on Sugarloaf Parkway and hit a deer (she is okay and so is her passenger). This is my normal transportation for Susan...So now we need to get it fixed...the car repair place strongly suggested that we not drive the car any longer as they believe it is unsafe. We have a $500.00 comprehensive deductible and I'm not sure how or when I'll be able to pay it to repair the car...Any help with a repair shop that would take payments on the deductible portion or work with us would be awesome!
Boy...I feel like I'm asking for too much...but any help with anything would be great!!!!! Love Ya...The Jenness Family
p.s. Thank you for calling me to ask if you could use our letter. We hope it helps raise awareness for all the families like ours throughout Georgia. Although we treasure our privacy, we feel the good that can come from us sharing our personal financial struggle is more important as we are not alone in our need.
The Jenness family is not alone in their struggles. There are thousands of families in the U.S. who want to care for their medically fragile children at home, but lack the financial means or training to do so.
Early intervention can help families, like the Jennesses, stay together and keep their medically fragile children out of foster care.
Your financial help today will support Dream House efforts to assist these families so they can keep their medically fragile children out of institutions and at home where they belong.
