Help the Vancleave Family

Barry and Sheree Vancleave are a very special family from Oxford, Pennsylvania. They are parents to four sons, ages 10-19, three of whom were born with Fragile X Syndrome. In addition to their intellectual and development delays, two of the boys also suffer from a seizure disorder. The three boys require multiple supports in and out of the home to address their concerns and needs. They are in constant need of care and so there is seldom a break for the parents. They get some respite care but the needs of the boys are to the degree that they simply don’t respond well to others. The parents are amazing with these boys and it is awesome to see how they manage what is a very, very difficult situation. Barry is a hard worker who provides for his family. Sheree worked teaching pre-school at Bethany Christian School for 18 years. However, on top of everything else they face on a day to day basis, Sheree was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and underwent a double mastectomy. Afterward she had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation and has been unable to work since August of 2013. Her treatments were completed in March of 2015. Needless to say, this family has endured a great degree of difficulty. Barry and Sheree are GREAT parents. So much so that their 18 year old son who does not have Fragile X is in the process of finishing his final project to become an Eagle Scout. And I can attest that both she and Barry do all of this with a smile on their face and with faith in their hearts. They are a wonderful Christian family that is faithful to their church. When you think of a family like this the initial response is to raise money to send them on a trip to get some rest. But they can’t do that. For one, Barry is the only bread winner in the family and his job requires too much commitment. Furthermore, they can’t leave their children and go on vacation like that for any extended period of time. The reality is that there is nothing we can do to change their future because this is a situation they will live with for the rest of their life. However, there is something that we can do to make their lives easier. We recently found out that their home is in need of some extensive repairs that they cannot afford. The home currently is in need of having the plumbing re-done, sub flooring repaired, and electrical concerns re-wired. The condition of the home has been reported to the authorities and concerns for the children and family’s safety have been brought up due to the level of repairs needed. Members of Bethany Presbyterian Church (PCA) have assembled a team of contractors and people who are willing to help do the work. but the needs are extensive. Barry and Sheree would never put themselves out there like this but I went to them and asked them if I could tell their story and reluctantly they said I could. This is a great opportunity to change someone’s life who really deserves it. While we may not be able to give them some spectacular whirlwind trip, we can at least help to alleviate the situations they are living with in their home. Just think about the way God has blessed you in your life, perhaps with very few obstacles, at least not to the degree that this family endures. I’m asking you to give to this family so that we can really makeover their home and give them a comfortable place to care for their very special family. Every penny given over the amount of the repairs will be given to the family for future needs for their sons.