Help Naomi Find Hope and Healing

Dear Family and Friends,

Most of you been blessed in some way by knowing our 24 year old daughter Naomi who is affected by Down Syndrome. Her compassionate heart, glowing smile, and child-like faith have been an inspiration to more people than we can count. Sadly a deep shadow has passed over her mind and emotions caused, we think, by the misunderstanding of her co-workers in a hospital cafeteria. After Naomi was let go from her job we watched her withdraw further and further into herself, creating a narrow world in which she felt some degree of safety. Over the past year and a half we have sought the best medical treatment we could find for her to no avail. Through extensive research and interfacing with other parents whose children are displaying similar symptoms we have learned that the way to find effective treatment is through healthcare professionals who are familiar with Down Syndrome.

So we are planning a trip to the Transitions Clinic at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, one of only about a dozen medical facilities with professionals familiar with Down Syndrome and willing to treat adult patients. We're planning to stay a week hoping and praying to see more than one specialist. Our appointment is for July 20, which makes this appeal urgent.

We also care for Carol's brother Mark who has several serious health issues making it important for him to be in a skilled nursing facility for the week we are gone. Unfortunately we have learned that insurance does not cover medical respite, so we will be paying at least $2,000 out of pocket for that along with our travel, hotel, and meal expenses. Any unused funds will be placed in trust fund accounts which we have created for Mark's and Naomi's future care.

Our hope and prayer is for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment so that Naomi can be restored to full health and become the vibrant Kingdom-building young lady we remember. It breaks our hearts to watch her suffer, sometimes wetting the pages of her Bible with her tears. Will you please join us in prayer and in sharing in the cost of her care as you are able?