Thursday, March 5, 2009

NICE Testimonial: A Life-Changing Gift

Thanks for all your well-wishes! I'm feeling a little bit better today, so your positive vibes must be working. Keep sending 'em my way!

Last week I received this testimonial from Kris Hansen, who is the President of the Epilepsy Association of Utah. It's truly incredible.

My daughter has a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. She has been having seizures since she was 18 days old. Last summer we had a chance to see the world’s leading experts in Dravet Syndrome at a conference in Chicago. They also arranged appointments for a few children to meet with these amazing specialists. There is only one doctor in the US that specializes in this syndrome although there are five from Europe including Dr. Dravet. We were lucky enough to get an appointment with one of the doctors out of Europe. This particular doctor is the leading expert in medication mixing for this type of seizure disorder.

We live in Utah and didn’t really have the money due to attend due to the cost of her care. To see this doctor was an amazing opportunity and we knew that seeing her in Europe would never really be a possibility. So we asked family to help and we started to save. We threw a yard sale to raise more money. This brought in quite a bit of money.

Right at the end I had an amazing man who stopped and asked why we were doing this. I told him and he started asking more questions. He started asking enough questions that he started to freak me out a little but he eventually left. He went and borrowed my neighbors computer. He came back with a reservation confirmation for the hotel that the conference was held in, paid for in full for the entire trip for us. I only know that his name is Howard. I don't know if that is a first or last name or even if it is his real name but that was the name on the sheet.

This doctor made a difference in our lives that can't be exclaimed. She made some medication changes that help us so very much. She is now starting to learn at school and is awake for more of the day and isn't throwing fits because of the headaches she was having. I don't know who this man is/was but my life will forever be changed because of him.


It sounds like Kris has a guardian angel. How amazing that this man happened upon her garage sale, and happened to ask questions, and had the compassion and generosity to actually do something about it. This man, Howard, is a paragon of kindness. People like him are the heroes of the world.

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

15 comments:

cndymkr / jean said...

Everyone needs a Howard. He truly was their Guardian Angel.

Mandi said...

Oh my goodness, that made me cry!! What a blessing!

Amy W said...

wow! I'm sitting here bawling. What a wonderful story. Why isn't it that stories like these make our 10 o'clock news? Wouldn't the world be so much better, and certainly nicer, if that were the case!

ShareWorldLove said...

What a story! Just amazing... It shows the kindness of strangers. Wow, wow and more wow.

Julia

airynothings.com said...

Stories like this one remind us that their our angels among us. thanks for this amazing, uplifting gift.

You are so nice!!

Carrie Wittenstein said...

What an incredible story of hope! I'm so glad Kris' daughter is responding well and wish their family continued health and peace. The world needs more Howards! Thank you for sharing!

Wendi P said...

Amazing! I so need to hear stories like these right now! I know that there are many, many acts of kindness happening thousands of times each day but these apparently are not news worthy. Only the doom & gloom gets airtime. It is so helpful & refreshing to read your blog . It puts a big smile on my face. THANKS!

Tillybud said...

Wonderful story and wonderful site. thank you!

Dionne said...

Now that's huuuuge generosity right there. What a nice man.

lisalyn said...

Wow...certainly brings tears here!!

Ms Unreliable said...

Eek where are my tissues? What a beautiful gesture! So lovely to know that there are Howards out there, and also that there are neighbours who are willing to let Howards into their homes too! Good deeds all round!

Christopher said...

Very inspiring story!

Tabitha and Family said...

Howard totally Rocks!!
Beautiful story :)

Jennifer said...

{goosebumps} Such generosity. Beautiful. =)

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