Nathan Helps Seattle Children's

As many of you know, Nathan has a history with Seattle Children's Hospital. It all started when he was just three, and we noticed he wasn't developing the same way as his peers.  He spent a year undergoing various tests to try to discover the cause of his congenital low muscle tone.  Just after we finished as much diagnostic testing as was deemed necessary, he came down with a very severe case of croup that almost killed him. He became acquainted with the ICU, and we became acquainted with just how wonderful a place that hospital is. A friend described it as a sacred place, and it truly is.
The croup attack was followed by several hospitalizations for asthma. Three-and-a-half years went by and again he came down with a most unusual and severe case of croup that once again almost killed him.  This was his second ride in an ambulance and his sixth time being admitted to Children's, by the ripe old age of seven-and-a-half. His respiratory issues have largely over-shadowed his  muscle issues, but his low muscle tone remains undiagnosed. 
Nathan's grace and courage while being in the hospital has blown me away.  He not only fought for his life on more than one occasion, he did it with good cheer.
These croup attacks have been incredibly traumatic events for all of us.  We are seeking to find ways to help Nathan feel like he has some amount of control over what feels like a very out-of-control situation. In order to do this, he has decided he wants to hold a bake sale and lemonade stand to raise money for Children's.  As he told anyone who would listen to him while he was most recently in the hospital, he wants to make other kids' hospital experiences better, by donating money that can be used to buy new games, movies (preferably documentaries), and art supplies.  In talking to Children's about what happens to donations, most likely this money will go to help with the uncompensated care fund that helps Children's not have to turn anyone in need of care away.
We will be holding this lemonade stand and bake sale on Saturday, August 1st in our Seattle neighborhood of Ballard.  100% of the proceeds will be donated to Children's.  Nathan doesn't want to keep any of it. 
If you feel like making a little boy's day, and helping to teach him the great lesson of generosity and kindness, please donate even just $1 (the cost of a lemonade) to help him out.  Last year, we had a very small lemonade stand with the same purpose and were able to raise $50.  We'd like to double that amount this year.  On Monday, August 3rd, I will be taking Nathan to Children's to hand over the proceeds from our little fundraiser.
The lemonade stand/bake sale will be held Saturday, August 1st, at 3pm, at Bergen Place Park in Ballard - that's where Leary Way and Market Street meet right at the center of Ballard.  We'll be set up on the sidewalk with a sign.  Come visit us if you can!  Hopefully we will have enough lemonade and baked goods to keep us there for at least an hour.