A Safe Place for Addison Grace

My dear friends Jonathan and Stephanie Bolt were blessed with a beautiful baby girl Addison Grace Bolt in December of 2014. She was the gift they had been praying for and dreaming of for years.  At 3 months old they began to realize that Addie was not developing like most babies her age, and their concerns grew as the month went on and not only did it not improve, but seemed to get worse. At her 4 month check up, the doctor confirmed that she was showing signs of developmental issues and ordered an MRI, which turned into needing a Cat scan,  which led to a spinal tap, and finally blood work. Weeks of agony were felt by these two amazing individuals because they had no answers and had no idea what they could do to help their daughter; a parent's worse nightmare.  Addie wasn't sleeping, gradually was having difficulty feeding, had frequent spasms and stiffened up in both her arms and legs, couldn't lift her own head, and chronically cried throughout the day and night.
On the morning of June 15th the doctor called with Addie's blood work results telling Jonathan and Stephanie that he wished he had better news, and in fact, later said he hated having to tell them the worse news any doctor would have to tell the parents of an infant. At 6 months old Addison Grace Bolt is 1 of 100,000 diagnosed with the rare disease Krabbe. This degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system will continue to weaken her muscles wich will affect her ability to chew, swallow, and breathe. Addie will also experience vision loss and seizures while enduring this disease. There is no cure for Krabbe disease, only the supportive treatment by her family. Infants who are diagnosed with this disease are given a 2 year life expectancy. 
I am here to help my friends make what time Addie Grace has left with us  peaceful and comfortable, and I am pleading for your help. Soon this innocent 6 month old will be eating out of a feeding tube and experiencing life as no one should have to. As you can imagine, no day care will take a child in such condition, and Stephanie and Jonathan are a much needed two-income household. Having a nurse take care of Addie full-time is outrageously expensive,  and extremely heart-breaking for Stephanie not to spend every precious moment she has left with her.  These two have the biggest hearts, and I have personally seen them go out of their way to help so many people when they didn't even have the time or money to do so. 
It is time that we pay it forward and give Addison Grace Bolt the best life possible, and to do so, we need to bring her mommy home to take care of her. I ask you to open up your hearts to this family who will soon be inundated with medical bills, heartache, and pain beyond comprehension. 
Imagine yourself in their shoes and realize that your generous donations will be a Godsend. 
 
Desperately Thankful,


Kerri Collis