Eva Grace's Disney Dream
Donation protected
Hello. My name is Leigh. I've created this page on behalf of my mother, Terry. Together, we're trying to raise some money to send Eva Grace Kelly to Disney World, while raising awareness for SMA; a very rare but devastating disease that affects so many families.
To tell Eva's story of a little girl who beat the odds and continues to fight every day to stay here on this earth and continue to live her wonderful life, with a smile on her face while teaching the rest of the world what's really important.
Eva is a 5 year old living with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). She is my mother’s niece and my little
cousin. Eva has the most severe type, which is Type 1. Her disease is very similar to ALS, but it's found in children. SMA is the #1 genetic killer of children under the age of 2.
Most children born with Eva's disease don't live to see their first birthday and hardly ever make it to their second. When she was diagnosed at 6 months old, the doctor told Eva's mother, Missy and her then-husband to "take her home and love her for as long as you have her". She researched and prayed and got Eva excellent doctors and therapists and proved them all wrong!
After spending over 4 months at Yale and being told she would "never come home" and at one point they were told she may not make it through the weekend, she was able to not only get herself strong enough to have the lifesaving surgery she needed, but she came home and has remained home for over 4 years now. Eva turned 5 years old in January and she is doing amazingly well!
Eva requires around the clock nursing care and can only breathe with help from a ventilator. She cannot eat or speak and is basically paralyzed but does have a little movement in her hands so that she's able to drive a power chair. She attends pre-school and has quite the social life. She has been affectionately named "Eva the Diva" and is probably the happiest, most loved, strongest and bravest little girl I've ever met! She has a Facebook page and even her own website under Eva's Miracle.
My Aunt Missy is recently divorced and is unable to work due to Eva requiring round -the -clock nursing, and is often without a nurse, especially on the overnight shifts. Eva also had a wonderful big brother Noah who is 10 and has Asperger’s and ADHD. She hopes to to take the kids back to Disney, since Eva is a HUGE fan!
The money raised will be used to cover air fare, hotel stay, meals and park tickets. They are hoping to be able to go in the fall, when it's the off season Kids will be back in school and Disney not as busy. If there are any funds remaining, they will be used towards Eva's cost for care and medical equipment, as these expenses are never ending.
Every little bit helps! If you're not able to donate, please share this page. And if you have a few minutes, check out Eva's website at evasmiracle.com
Thank you all for your continued support. It really means the world to all of us!
-Leigh & Terry
To tell Eva's story of a little girl who beat the odds and continues to fight every day to stay here on this earth and continue to live her wonderful life, with a smile on her face while teaching the rest of the world what's really important.
Eva is a 5 year old living with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). She is my mother’s niece and my little
cousin. Eva has the most severe type, which is Type 1. Her disease is very similar to ALS, but it's found in children. SMA is the #1 genetic killer of children under the age of 2.
Most children born with Eva's disease don't live to see their first birthday and hardly ever make it to their second. When she was diagnosed at 6 months old, the doctor told Eva's mother, Missy and her then-husband to "take her home and love her for as long as you have her". She researched and prayed and got Eva excellent doctors and therapists and proved them all wrong!
After spending over 4 months at Yale and being told she would "never come home" and at one point they were told she may not make it through the weekend, she was able to not only get herself strong enough to have the lifesaving surgery she needed, but she came home and has remained home for over 4 years now. Eva turned 5 years old in January and she is doing amazingly well!
Eva requires around the clock nursing care and can only breathe with help from a ventilator. She cannot eat or speak and is basically paralyzed but does have a little movement in her hands so that she's able to drive a power chair. She attends pre-school and has quite the social life. She has been affectionately named "Eva the Diva" and is probably the happiest, most loved, strongest and bravest little girl I've ever met! She has a Facebook page and even her own website under Eva's Miracle.
My Aunt Missy is recently divorced and is unable to work due to Eva requiring round -the -clock nursing, and is often without a nurse, especially on the overnight shifts. Eva also had a wonderful big brother Noah who is 10 and has Asperger’s and ADHD. She hopes to to take the kids back to Disney, since Eva is a HUGE fan!
The money raised will be used to cover air fare, hotel stay, meals and park tickets. They are hoping to be able to go in the fall, when it's the off season Kids will be back in school and Disney not as busy. If there are any funds remaining, they will be used towards Eva's cost for care and medical equipment, as these expenses are never ending.
Every little bit helps! If you're not able to donate, please share this page. And if you have a few minutes, check out Eva's website at evasmiracle.com
Thank you all for your continued support. It really means the world to all of us!
-Leigh & Terry
Organizer and beneficiary
Leigh Zaleta
Organizer
West Haven, CT
Theresa Zaleta
Beneficiary
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