First I would like to mention the Ronald McDonald House. When Karston had to have his second
spinal surgery and then a few months later surgery on his leg/foot, we were so relieved to be able to have a place to stay at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. At the time we lived more than an hour North of the city of Chicago and the hospital. There were times that we did make the drive back and forth and since then have made that drive many more times. But when our son had to have surgery that first time, we had only moved to the area months before. We didn't know the area, didn't know very many people yet, and we also had just added our second child to our family. We were so thankful to have a home away from home. The Ronald McDonald House gave us a place of stability when we were at one of the most unstable times of our lives. Not only was it a place to sleep, but other people came into the house and cooked for the families that were staying there. Heath and I have talked so many times about setting up a time that we can go back and cook for the families that are staying there now. There are a couple of things that we all can do to help this incredible organization.Buy Cookies that Care
If you’re going to buy cookies, then buy ones that care about RMHC-CNI! “Cookies that Care” are available at McDonald’s restaurants and for each purchase, the owner of that restaurant will donate to RMHC-CNI.
If you’re going to buy cookies, then buy ones that care about RMHC-CNI! “Cookies that Care” are available at McDonald’s restaurants and for each purchase, the owner of that restaurant will donate to RMHC-CNI.
and
COLLECT POP TABS to earn money for RMHC-CNI through recylcling. Pop tabs can be dropped off at any RMHC-CNI location or at any regional GREAT CLIPS.
Another Organization/Charity that I would like to mention is the March of Dimes. The March of 
Dimes is continually doing research on Spina Bifida among other birth defects and premature births. They have been really big advocates of Folic Acid which has been proven to be a huge help in reducing spinal and neural birth defects in newborns. I recently found out that the March of Dimes not only has an annual March for babies but also does an annual Bikers for Babies to help raise money to continue research and prevention. We have done the walk before on behalf of our nephew that was born premature and then went on to heaven after 42 days of a very strong fight for life. If you would like to help but can't make it to either of these events then there is something simple that all of us can do now.
Dimes is continually doing research on Spina Bifida among other birth defects and premature births. They have been really big advocates of Folic Acid which has been proven to be a huge help in reducing spinal and neural birth defects in newborns. I recently found out that the March of Dimes not only has an annual March for babies but also does an annual Bikers for Babies to help raise money to continue research and prevention. We have done the walk before on behalf of our nephew that was born premature and then went on to heaven after 42 days of a very strong fight for life. If you would like to help but can't make it to either of these events then there is something simple that all of us can do now. Paper Pumpkin Patch Help ALL babies get a healthy start! Stop by a Circle K store pumpkin patch in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa and Pennsylvania in October. Purchase a March of Dimes paper pumpkin and fight for the lives of the tiniest babies.
The last organization that I want to talk about is not a charity. It is an organization that just does research for Spina Bifida. They have devoted everything to kids and adolescents that are living with this unfortunate condition. This place is a called C.H.A.T.S. Dr. Grayson Holmbeck, a clinical psychologist and professor at Loyola University C
hicago, is the principal investigator of this study. This past year they came to our house twice to study us as a family and to study our son in social situations. C.H.A.T.S. has been going into the homes of families that have a child affected by Spina Bifida for the last ten years. This is a great resource for us to be able to see what other children my son's age and parents like us are also dealing with. It is just nice to read that there are other people out there that are also walking in our shoes. We are honored to be a part of this research and to know that other families will benefit from what we have shared while hosting the Loyola students in our home.
hicago, is the principal investigator of this study. This past year they came to our house twice to study us as a family and to study our son in social situations. C.H.A.T.S. has been going into the homes of families that have a child affected by Spina Bifida for the last ten years. This is a great resource for us to be able to see what other children my son's age and parents like us are also dealing with. It is just nice to read that there are other people out there that are also walking in our shoes. We are honored to be a part of this research and to know that other families will benefit from what we have shared while hosting the Loyola students in our home. So I would like to encourage anyone that would be reading this to check out these links and possibly get involved in supporting these exceptional organizations. If you support the Cause you never know who you might Effect.
