It is with great pleasure that we introduce you all to the 10 families gifted in 2023, thanks to the generous support, donations, and efforts to spread awareness for our mission. Before we dive into the inspiring and emotional stories from our newest Gifted Families, we want to take this opportunity to express how much your support means to not only our team and our mission, but to the families we serve.
When you choose to give back to SGF, you’re not only helping us to provide special gifts and opportunities. The other two parts of our mission, providing beneficial resources and a sense of community, are extended to all families caring for children with disabilities and not just the families that apply to receive a gift.
This special community we serve continues to express a need for resources and a desire for community. Each year, we continue to build on both of these crucial functions of our program – thanks to YOU!
Without further ado, let’s learn more about these precious families that have offered a glimpse into their lives.
Meet the 10 Families Gifted in 2023
Gift: Travel and medical expenses
Given: February 2023
Location: Fulton CountyAt the beginning of 2023, we had the privilege of connecting with a remarkable family whose journey with their daughter Ella touched our hearts. During their pregnancy, they were reminded of the importance of a healthy child when two close friends experienced devastating losses. Concerned, they sought additional ultrasounds and discovered that Ella had an abnormality in her brain. Despite their worries, Ella was born healthy but faced developmental delays in her first year.
It was during this challenging time that our organization stepped in to provide support and hope. Through the support of our SGF Community, they were able to access the top white matter clinic at Children’s Healthcare of Philadelphia, offering the best care for Ella’s condition. Ella’s dad expressed that the financial assistance was invaluable, but the true gift was the sense of community and connection they found through SGF.
This family’s story is one of many testaments to the power of relationships and the impact that a helping hand can have on both the giver and the receiver. We are grateful to be a part of their journey and are committed to continuing to support them as they navigate Ella’s diagnosis.
Gift: Financial assistance towards accessible home renovations
Given: May 2023
Location: Chattooga County
Brenan’s journey has been marked by challenges and uncertainty, starting with his first seizure just days after his birth. For 10 years, Brenan and his family searched for answers, undergoing countless tests and consultations with doctors. Finally, a breakthrough came when a new-age supercomputer at the National Institute of Health Research Study identified a rare mutation in the KCNQ2 gene, leading to a diagnosis of KCNQ2 encephalopathy, an extremely rare form of epilepsy.
Living with this condition has had a profound impact on Brenan’s life. He faces severe developmental delays, low muscle tone, and is unable to function independently. He is legally blind, unable to communicate, and relies on round-the-clock care. In the past three years, Brenan has endured multiple surgeries, including ones to address hip displacement caused by growth and puberty. These surgeries were followed by months of immobility in a body cast, leading to gastrointestinal issues and the need for a feeding G-tube. However, even with the G-tube, Brenan still faces challenges as his body sometimes rejects the formula. Despite these obstacles, Brenan and his family remain hopeful that doctors will find a solution to ensure his well-being.
Brenan’s dad, Chris, stays home with him as his full-time caretaker. He expressed his and his wife’s concerns for their ability to continue being Brenan’s primary caregivers as they get older, and it becomes more difficult to lift and care for him. They want nothing more than to keep him at home with them for as long as they are physically able, and in order to do so there were several renovations needing to be made to provide more space and equipment to accommodate Brenan’s needs. Thanks to an anonymous Spring in the Valley donor, we were able to help this sweet family continue to move forward with this project.
Gift: Financial assistance towards new flooring and front door
Given: October 2023
Location: Union County
In 2019, the Perricone family was blessed with the arrival of twin boys, Lawson and Watson, after experiencing the loss of a previous pregnancy. However, their joy quickly turned to worry when Lawson was airlifted to a different hospital due to severe heart issues. Over the next five months, they found themselves in Atlanta, juggling the care of their three-year-old son and newborn, as Lawson underwent multiple surgeries and treatments. Despite the challenges, Lawson proved to be a true fighter and finally came home, albeit with a feeding tube and continuous oxygen.
As Lawson grew, they faced new hurdles, including developmental delays and ongoing lung disease. But with the support of physical, speech, and occupational therapy, Lawson has made incredible progress. Today, he is a happy and energetic three-year-old, defying the odds and teaching his family the importance of gratitude and resilience. However, they were facing the challenge of providing a safe and healthy environment for Lawson, as their old carpet was harboring dust and mold that exacerbated his lung issues.
Our Second Annual Specially Gifted Golf Tournament made it possible to assist Lawson’s family in replacing their existing flooring with hardwood flooring, and also upgraded their front door. These renovations not only help to improve Lawson’s quality of life but to strengthen the overall structure of their home. His mom and family expressed their gratitude for this opportunity and the support of our community.
Gift: Financial assistance towards mold remediation in their home
Given: November 2023
Location: Floyd County
From the moment he was born, Micah experienced health issues, including difficulty feeding and respiratory distress. As he grew older, developmental delays and regressive behavior became evident, eventually leading to a diagnosis of autism. The family embarked on a journey of seeking specialists, therapies, and treatments to support Micah’s needs.
Despite his ongoing medical issues, Micah has shown incredible resilience and progress. He is now thriving in a homeschooling environment, where he has the opportunity to develop his knowledge and practical skills. Micah’s infectious personality and determination shine through, as he describes himself as a salesman with a knack for persuading others. However, his big blue eyes still hide the significant impact that his medical conditions have on his daily life.
To address the health challenges faced by Micah and his sister, the family is seeking assistance with mold remediation in their home. After uncovering mold in their bodies through medical tests, they discovered serious mold problems in their crawl space and garage. His family immediately began obtaining estimates for the necessary remediation work, including the addition of a dehumidifier to prevent future mold growth.
Micah’s family has overcome numerous obstacles in their journey with his health. By granting their request for mold remediation, the SGF Community is helping to create a healthier environment for Micah and his sister, enabling them to continue thriving and growing.
Gift: Adaptive bike from Freedom Concepts
Given: December 2023
Location: Heard County
Ashton Clouse, a 2 1/2-year-old boy, is the youngest of three siblings. Despite his young age, Ashton faces numerous challenges and requires the assistance of speech therapy, feeding therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. These developmental delays have affected his ability to walk and talk, and he relies on a feeding tube for nutrition since the age of 5 months.
Ashton’s family hopes that with his new adaptive bike it will not only help strengthen his legs but also instill a sense of confidence in him, ultimately aiding his progress towards independent walking.
His gifting was made possible by our 2023 Giving Tuesday campaign.
Gift: Special needs swing and frame, special needs float with insert, and a Tumble Forms feeding chair
Given: December 2023
Location: Henry County
Easton, a seven-year-old boy with a terminal metabolic disease called MPS II or Hunter Syndrome, has faced numerous challenges in his young life. From being on a ventilator in the NICU to undergoing multiple surgeries and therapies, Easton’s journey has been filled with pain and suffering. Even through all this, Easton remains a bright and happy child.
One of Easton’s biggest desires is to have a sense of normalcy and independence. After outgrowing his tricycle, his parents were devastated to learn about the cost of an adaptive tricycle that could accommodate his special needs. Thankfully, he was able to receive one from another organization while waiting to be gifted.
His parents felt that he could benefit from a special needs swing and frame to enjoy the outdoors and feel the wind in his face. A special needs float with an insert would also be helpful for him to experience the joy of being in the water. Lastly, a Tumble Forms feeding chair was needed for Easton’s G-tube feeds and eating his baby food, as it provides the necessary harness and angle for his comfort and safety. With the generous support of our 2023 Giving Tuesday donors, his gifting was made possible and will enhance Easton’s quality of life and hopefully bring joy to his entire family.
Gift: Christmas wish list (toys and clothes)
Given: December 2023
Location: Gordon County
Zach and Kayla Bradley’s lives took an unexpected turn when their son, Braylen, was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation and syrinx at the age of 7. This devastating news meant that Braylen needed immediate brain decompression surgery to prevent further complications.
Facing many challenges, including severe migraines, loss of feeling in his body, and delays in speech and motor skills, he continues to bring immense joy and laughter to his family. Braylen’s interests include SpongeBob, baby Yoda, treasure hunting, gems and rocks, Marvel, and his dream of becoming a police officer or fireman. He’s also a huge Tennessee Volunteers fan.
In our first talks with Braylen’s family, the main thing they continued to request was to simply pray for him and their family. In addition to prayers, we knew his family wanted to make Christmas extra special because the year before was around the time of his surgery. Being able to fulfill his Christmas wish list was a feeling of pure joy.
P.S. I may or may not have included in my prayers that God grant Braylen a change of heart and convert him to a Georgia Bulldogs fan.
Gift: GoTo seat and Rifton New Stander
Given: December 2023
Location: Cobb County
Hayden’s story is one of unexpected challenges and incredible strength. Shortly after birth, her parents were blindsided when doctors discovered severe brain damage. Hayden spent 89 days in the NICU, battling aspiration pneumonia and relying on feeding tubes to protect her airways. She has since been diagnoses with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and visual and hearing deficits. Even with the many obstacles they have faced, her family remains grateful for the progress she has made with the help of early intervention therapies.
The high level of care Hayden requires warranted her mother making the hard decision to stay home rather than return to work. Although this change meant they would have to make adjustments, the family believes it is worth it to be there for her every step of the way.
They have seen significant improvements in Hayden’s development and are proud of how far she has come. To make their lives more functional, they have chosen the GoTo Seat, a portable postural seat, and the Rifton New Stander, which will help strengthen Hayden’s core and improve head support. These gifts will not only assist Hayden at home but also allow her to participate in activities outside the house.
Gift: Bathroom renovations for accessibility
Given: December 2023
Location: Gordon County
As early as 4 months old, Ansley faced developmental delays and was later diagnosed with Schizencephaly, a rare birth defect that caused her to be missing 20% of her brain. The section she is missing controls gross and fine motor skills. However, these challenges don’t stand in Ansley’s way. She has shown incredible determination and independence throughout life. Her mother said, “If there’s something she wants to get done, she will find a way.”
Ansley’s family requested help to remodel their bathroom, providing Ansley with a safer and more accessible bathing experience. The work is scheduled to begin sometime in the first quarter of 2024. We know these bathroom renovations will greatly benefit Ansley and make some daily activities easier for her family as well.
Gift: Backyard Discovery Monterey All Cedar swing set + family trip to Dollywood Splash Country
Given: December 2023
Location: Floyd County
As a blended family of seven, with children ranging in age from 18 years to 10 months old, life is nothing short of an adventure for Leland and his family. Their journey with Leland, who is now 5, has also been filled with challenges.
At around 18 months old, his verbal communication started to fade, and they noticed other concerning behaviors such as his reluctance to play with other children and poor eye contact. After three long years, Leland was diagnosed with autism, mixed receptive expressive language disorder, and developmental delays.
Leland is currently enrolled in a special education PreK program at a local elementary school, but despite his willingness to attend, he is struggling to make significant progress. Communication is a major frustration for him as he is nonverbal. One thing that he finds pure joy in is playing and climbing on everything and loves going to the park. However, he is also prone to elope if given the chance.
Leland’s mom explained that by having a playset at home, it would provide Leland with a safe space where he can play and climb to his heart’s content without the fear of him running off. We wish we could have been a fly on the wall the day his playset was delivered to his house. He is anxiously awaiting warmer weather so he can spend his energy playing on his new playset, which will without a doubt also provide much needed relief to his family.
Leland and his family will also be going on a family trip to Dollywood Splash Country in the summer of 2024.
Thank You, to the Families Gifted in 2023
One of the many reasons we ask these families for their personal stories to be able to share is because we want to be their advocate and encourage others to join us in doing so. SGF is more than gifting families. We are dedicated to nurturing these relationships we build with the families we serve and eternally grateful to them for allowing us to be a part of their lives.
There is a special kind of vulnerability to be recognized when they choose to share the hardships and victories they’ve experienced throughout their unique journeys. Although no amount of reading and sympathizing will make us understand what they live through, by opening up our hearts, extending support, and creating a space just for them, we are helping them in ways we don’t even realize.
Whether you have experience caring for someone with a disability or not, there is always much to be learned from others. I know I can say firsthand that I have learned so much about life through the eyes of my younger brother, sister, and from the families I have built loving relationships with through this organization. SGF is here for all of us to serve and we look forward to many more years of growing alongside you.