Hope For Hanna

There are so many things we, as healthy idividuals, take for granted everyday, such as; being able to move and walk, cough, laugh, sneeze, eat, and breathe. We do these things without thinking and most of the time with great ease. Now imagine what life would be like if you were not able to do these things or if it was extremely hard to do them. What if everyday was a struggle for you and a common cold could hospitalize you for days or even weeks? This is everyday life for, my niece, Hanna. This time last year Hanna was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). "SMA is a diease that robs kids of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away their ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. SMA is caused by a mutation in the survival motor neuro gene 1 (SMN1). In a healthy person, this gene produces a protein that is critical to the function of the nerves that control our muscles. Without it, those nerve cells cannot properly function and eventually die, leading to debilitating and often fatal muscle weakness. SMA affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies, and about 1 in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier." (www.curesma.org) There is currently no cure and are no treatments. Hanna is 23 months old now and a very happy, sweet, smart, and funny little girl who loves life regardless of all she goes through on a daily basis. From the multiple therapists she sees, to the exercises she does 2 or more times a day, to all of the equipment she uses in the morning and at night, or if she's sick every 4 hours even waking up through the night to do them to try to stay out of the hospital. Not to mention all of the specialist she has to drive 2 hours to see and the sleep and swallow studies she's already had done. In spite of all of that she enjoys things that most kids her age do; music, cartoons, playing with her toys and her big sister Bella, she just has to do them differently, from a wheelchair. Hanna just received her powered wheelchair in December, which the insurance covered completely, but there are also things that the insurance will not cover or help with at all. One of those things is a handicapped accessible van. The van will cost $63,000 out of pocket because her parents cannot get financing. Since her diagnosis last year her dad's hours were cut at work and due to all of the care Hanna needs her mom is a stay at home mom to her and her sister. They are trying to sell their house and have had to move in with family due to their financial situation. Please help us raise the money they need for the van to try to improve Hanna's mobility and overall quality of life. Thank you all so very much in advance for any help you are able to give, no gift is too small. Bless you all! Hebrews 11:1 Mark 11:24