-FBO of Hayden Roman and Johnny Roman-

My name is Debra Pearson; I am fundraising for the future education of my grandchildren, Johnny and Hayden. Their parents,Raymond and Pheonix, began their lives together in 2014 with all the expectations of having a family and a move from the big city (Chicago) to the suburbs. Shortly after their move to the burbs in late 2015, baby Hayden was born in 2016. Life appeared to be going well. In 2017, our daughter announced that baby Johnny would arrive in early 2018. Shortly after that exciting news, Raymond began to have numbness in his extremities. Test after test and specialist after specialist, he was diagnosed with a fatal heart condition called cardiomyopathy. While preparing to go on the heart transplant list, doctors implanted a pump to assist Raymond while waiting to become a heart recipient. Unfortunately, Raymond passed away on January 6, 2018. One month later, Johnny Emmett was born. Since Raymond's passing, our daughter has continually battled with severe depression as she copes with his loss.

In early 2019, my husband John and I were granted full legal custody of our grandchildren. They are now ages 4 and 5.

On January 25th, 2022, another of the saddest days in my life, my husband of 46 years (John) passed away from complications due to COVID-19. I now find myself on a journey alone with Hayden and Johnny without my husband's emotional support; however, I will continue to share the joy he brought to the children. As Hayden and Johnny's grandmother and daily caregiver, my goal is to keep their lives joyful, consistent, and stable.

The outlook for covering their educational future is of great importance to me. I am starting this fundraising campaign to help with Johnny and Hayden's future education and fulfill the hopes and dreams of the children's parents, myself, and my late husband, John.

A definitive numerical goal is required to set up this fundraising page. In reality, any amount of assistance and contribution to my grandchildren's futures is my ultimate goal. I send my sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to ALL for your kindness and time given to read my accounts of Johnny and Hayden's life journey so far and that of their family.

The photo pictured was taken at Christmas in 2021, John & Debra with Hayden and Johnny.