Dear The Little Gym Family,

We have a member family that has recently received devastating news.  Her daughter's doctors have informed Brittni that due to her 14 month-old’s brain injury her life expectancy is very short. They have now referred her to palliative care.  Lorraine was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and due to a lack of oxygen suffered severe seizures after birth.  A subsequent MRI revealed global brain damage.  

Brittni’s dedication to Lorraine has been an inspiration for me to witness.  Her Fridays consist of a drive from San Francisco to Oakland for doctor appointments, to Mountain View for her Bugs class and back to her home in San Francisco.  She has done this every single week for the past 9 months and this is just one of her days.  Lorraine is involved in physical, occupational, feeding and aqua therapy.

Brittni is unable to work as she is dedicated to providing for all of Lorraine’s extensive needs.  Fortunately her medical bills are covered, but very little else is.  She would love to be able to provide her daughter with as much life experience as she can while she is with us.  Lorraine has an incredible giggle that lights up a room and helps me forget she is so very ill and while she is extremely delayed in all areas of development, she gets pleasure from the simplest activities.  Day trips to the zoo and other stimulating outings would go a long way to providing relief to Brittni and Lorraine from their all too serious routine. 

In the past The Little Gym Family has proven extraordinarily generous and if you have the ability this holiday season I would like to ask for your help once again.  Brittni and Lorraine have a long and painful road ahead and if we can ease their burden in some small way it will be a truly happy holiday season for them and for those who may give.

Thank You & Happy Handstands!

Debbie Villarreal