As a nonprofit that serves families caring for children with disabilities, Specially Gifted Foundation knows that each child and their families face unique circumstances and challenges along their journey.
Dr. Stephen Shore, an autism advocate who is also on the spectrum, once said, “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” SGF feels very strongly about this message, but it also extends well beyond autism. Before we introduce the 10 families gifted in 2024, we want to address this quote a little closer.
When we receive story submissions from applicant families, one of the first things we acknowledge is their vulnerability. Our goal in asking for family stories is not to be invasive, but instead to be their advocate. Some families share more than others, but that does not mean that their story is more important than those that share less.
Each and every family that comes to SGF has a testimony and we never know who needs to hear it. What we do know is that no matter how similar or different their diagnosis and circumstances may be, their experience is always worth sharing and their voice deserves to be heard.
All of that being said, we want to make our own version of this quote: If you’ve met one SGF Gifted Family, you’ve met ONE SGF Gifted Family. Now, let’s meet the TEN Gifted Families of 2024!
Gift: Financial assistance for fenced in yard
Given: March 2024
Location: Jackson County
Ryan was initially born a healthy baby boy. Around 9 months old, his mother began to notice delays in hitting his milestones. After countless referrals, evaluations, testing, and therapy sessions, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and later on began experiencing seizures.
Ryan’s mother, a single parent, has worked tirelessly to provide him with the care and support he needs. Despite financial struggles, she has remained determined to make Ryan’s life the best it can be, seeking help from various resources and finding stability with the right doctors and medications.
As Ryan has gotten older, he has become taller and stronger than his mother, bringing on a whole new set of challenges. Combined with his love for running and playing outside, she worried about his safety and wanted to provide him with a space at home to enjoy outdoor play.
Thanks to his mother’s dedication and SGF donors, Ryan now has a fenced-in back yard to run and play to his heart’s content. His mother was also kind enough to share a video of Ryan discovering his new play area for the first time, which is posted below his story and can be found here.
Gift: Financial assistance towards a new vehicle
Given: Marcy 2024
Location: Floyd County
Serenity and her twin sister were born prematurely at 26 weeks with Serenity facing a life-threatening moment shortly after birth. Despite the odds stacked against her, she proved to be a warrior, overcoming multiple obstacles during her time in the NICU.
As she continued to grow, her family noticed some developmental delays. That was the beginning of several doctor appointments. One day in one of those appointments, the doctor explained to Serenity’s family that the morning after birth when she went into cardiac arrest she had suffered several major strokes. She was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and began working with multiple specialists.
Serenity continues to defy expectations, showing resilience, determination, and a bright spirit that shines through in everything she does. Her days may be filled with therapy and specialist visits, but she doesn’t let it stop her from being a light to those around her.
With all of these visits, her family needed a dependable vehicle that could also accommodate her wheelchair and other equipment. Thanks to our 2024 Spring in the Valley Festival (SIV) supporters, SGF gifted Serenity and her family with financial assistance towards a new vehicle to provide a reliable means of transportation.
Gift: Rifton Activity Chair + tray + ankle straps
Given: May 2024
Location: Floyd County
Sarah and her husband have adopted 4 children with special needs, including their son Laithen. Laithen has dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. Over the years, he has made progress in many areas of his daily life and activities. No diagnosis can hold him back from being a sweet and happy child who is always on the move.
His family expressed their need for a new large Rifton activity chair for feeding and to support Laithen’s needs better. SGF is grateful to have made this gifting possible through SIV 2024!
Gift: Freedom Concepts Adaptive Bicycle
Given: October 2024
Location: Barrow County
Alyannah, better known as Ally, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a young age, leading to significant muscle weakness and wheelchair dependence. Even with all of the challenges she faced in her daily activities, she remained committed to her therapy sessions and finding other outlets to exercise and use her motor skills.
From playing piano and singing, to dancing and drawing, her creativity is very active. Ally also loves riding bicycles with her siblings, but has not been able to for the last 2 years because as she gets older she has more trouble managing a typical bike.
Her love for riding bikes with her siblings was reignited when she test rode an adaptive tricycle at Tender Ones, sparking a desire to have her own mobility bike to continue expanding her interests and not let her disability define her. Thanks to Freedom Concepts and SGF, Ally now has her very own adaptive bicycle, further empowering her to live a fulfilling and active life beyond her diagnosis.
Gift: Financial assistance towards handicap accessible van
Given: October 2024
Location: Whitfield County
Harper is the youngest of 4 kids. Her parents said while she’s the most complex child they have when it comes to medical needs, in many ways she is the easiest kid in the world to be a parent to. Harper is always happy, never defiant, does not talk back, and gives unconditional love and grace.
Life for Harper started out very rocky and full of uncertainties. Born stillborn and without a heartbeat for the first 10 minutes of her life, she defied the odds and survived, despite doctors’ initial doubts about her quality of life.
From EEGs, sleepless nights, seizures, endless testing and medications, a feeding tube, a trach, VNS implants, countless therapy and specialist’s visits, so many adaptive splints and devices for her body, and much more, Harper smiles through it all.
Her parents have embraced the chance to let Harper experience adventure and push past her limits. They wanted to look for ways to get her out into the world to experience life but needed a safe way to do that.
After working tirelessly to raise funds for a handicap accessible vehicle, her parents reached out to SGF to lend a helping hand. It was such a joy to help this sweet little girl and her family make this dream a reality!
Gift: Family trip to Disney World (to take place in 2025)
Given: October 2024
Location: Whitfield County
Life for Theo has been filled with uncertainty and challenges, even before he was born. His mom began experiencing trouble when she was only 26 weeks pregnant when she learned Theo’s femurs were not growing. At almost 38 weeks, she welcomed her 6 lb 1 oz baby boy.
From being born with a fever and signs of infection, to cardiac arrest and being diagnosed with viral meningitis, Theo has faced numerous health struggles in his young life. After having a MIC-KEY button, seizure at 9 months old, signs of regression, neurologist appointments, extensive blood work and genetic testing, and several unanswered questions Theo was found to have central and obstructive sleep apnea, hypotonia, misfiring in his central nervous system, vision issues, and an unknown genetic disorder.
Through all the ups and downs, nothing has stopped Theo from facing life with a smile. He loves being outside and adores Mickey Mouse.
Although there are many things that Theo and his family could benefit from, ultimately, they decided on a much-needed family trip to Disney World, and we could not be happier! Theo will be surrounded by several family members, who have been his support system since day one, and have the chance to make long-lasting memories together while enjoying all the magic Disney has to offer.
Gift: Backyard fencing
Given: November 2024
Location: Carroll County
Cash, the youngest member of the Kirstine/Mitchell family, has faced numerous challenges since he was just a baby, including failure to thrive, weak suck, sleep apnea, and laryngomalacia that required surgery. Before he was 3 years old, he was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay, requiring ABA therapy multiple times a week.
He is described as extremely sweet and smart, but his parents also expressed the struggle of trying to manage his difficult behaviors sometimes on top of trying to keep up with the activities of their older children. One thing his family said would be a great outlet for him is to have a space to run and play safely.
Cash’s love for the outdoors is hindered by the risk of eloping, because once the door is open, he will immediately take off running. His parents identified a need for backyard fencing and SGF was happy to help. This gift not only provided a small peace of mind for the family but also has given Cash the opportunity to explore and play in a secure environment.
Gift: Folding ultralight transport wheelchair + new platform bed with accessories + a new mattress + gift card
Given: December 2024
Location: Bartow County
By the time Renleigh was a couple of years old, her family began to notice that she wasn’t reaching developmental milestones like other children her age. After a diagnosis of severe autism, level 3, along with other developmental delays, her family embarked on a journey of therapy and support to help her progress.
Through their dedication and Renleigh’s determination, she has made great strides, including being able to communicate her Halloween costume preference and enjoying her favorite activity of swimming. Things so many parents take for granted are great victories worthy of celebration for families like Renleigh’s.
Even with the progress she has made, her family faced challenges due to her size and safety concerns related to her autism. The inability to carry her when she refused to walk and the need for a sleep safe bed to ensure her safety highlighted some of their ongoing struggles.
With the gift of a folding ultralight transport wheelchair, a new platform bed with accessories, and a new mattress, Renleigh and her family now have much-needed support and resources to continue caring for and nurturing their beloved granddaughter.
Gift: Freedom Concepts Adaptive Bicycle
Given: December 2024
Location: Clayton County
Zariyah’s story has been filled with immense challenges and incredible triumphs. Born facing death and defying the odds, she has overcome multiple medical diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, hypotonia, scoliosis, and quadriplegia, and continues to fight for her health and success.
She has a great support system in her mother who has been her unwavering champion and caregiver, determined to give both her daughters the best life possible. Like many parents caring for children with disabilities, Zariyah’s mother was faced with a need for her daughter that is not covered by insurance.
An adaptive bicycle would provide Zariyah with the opportunity to enjoy her childhood while also helping to strengthen her body and aid in her development. Her mother had already secured a portion of the funds, but it wasn’t enough to cover the full cost.
Thanks to all of our 2024 Giving Tuesday donors, Zariyah will now have her very own Freedom Concepts adaptive bicycle. This gift goes beyond just a bike, as it symbolizes the love, support, and hope that surrounds Zariyah and her family on their journey.
Gift: Freedom Concepts Adaptive Bicycle
Given: December 2024
Location: Fulton County
Hayden was diagnosed with a genetic condition and autism at a young age, but she has never let that stop her from having an impact on those that meet her. Her mother said she has taught their family and everyone around her so much about patience, compassion, and inclusivity.
Through years of therapy and hard work, she has made significant progress, including learning to walk and finding a supportive school environment that caters to her needs. Her family has been by her side every step of the way, providing love, support, and encouragement.
Her sister recently needed a bigger bike and while they were out bike shopping, Hayden asked, “Where’s my bike?” Naturally, her mother wanted to show her a bike that is hers but traditional bikes are not accommodating to Hayden’s needs. As a family that enjoys the activity of biking very much, it became a goal of theirs to get Hayden her own bike.
With the help of our 2024 Giving Tuesday donors, SGF has gifted Hayden with a Freedom Concepts adaptive bicycle. This gift will not only allow Hayden to enjoy a family favorite activity, but it will also symbolize the freedom and independence she has fought so hard to achieve.
Thank You to the Families Gifted in 2024
SGF is grateful to each and every family that shares their story and their children with us. It is our hope that the families we serve know that SGF is here to celebrate their victories, no matter how big or small, and pray with them through the hardships they face along the way.
There’s a lot of things children with disabilities miss out on in life, and we hear from parents that they find themselves mourning these moments and milestones sometimes. Whether it’s their disability or a financial limitation, there are often many factors well outside of their control.
This is where we want to shine a light on the beauty behind these gifting opportunities.
Each gifting experience is a chance to serve, be a part of their journey, and enrich their lives in the best way according to their family. Gifting items like a family vacation, adaptive tricycles you can’t find in a local Walmart, and fenced-in yards gives us so much joy.
Many of the giftings SGF has done are towards items that, in our opinion, should be covered by insurance. However, there are some that don’t quite fit the bill for insurance, and that is what makes these giftings and experiences so unique.
It’s a chance for these kids to be just that, a kid. Riding a bike with their siblings and friends in their neighborhood, going to the park and enjoying the outdoors, meeting Mickey Mouse and the gang on the streets of Disney World, and letting their imagination run wild as they freely explore their own years in a safe manner.
They’re going to miss out on many things, but it’s a true gift and blessing that SGF is able to be a part of their journey while adding some things to the list of things they will NOT miss out on.
