Sam, a gift from above

As many of you know, these past two and a half years have been difficult for our family.   During these years, our 12 year-old son Sam has been very sick.  For more than a year, Sam had endured test after test without a diagnosis. Doctors at a children’s hospital  uncovered a gene mutation that is known to affect the immune system by causing both immunodeficiency and autoimmune symptoms. Because of this he is in daily pain and unable to participate in most activities that kids enjoy. He now is on a trial drug.  This drug can only control his symptoms at best and seems to work somewhat for a short period of time.  His dose has already been doubled, and still he is sick.  For the past couple of years, Katie’s focus has been caring for our son whose needs are very involved.  In all of this, some of our family needs have become greater than we can manage and we are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged at this moment.   This has been a summer of rain and our very old roof is leaking.  We have buckets inside to catch the water which is even leaking into Sam’s room.  Funds will be used to fix roof, gather fire wood for the winter and help with bills because his mother has been home taking care of Sam and away from her career. Every gift, no matter how small, would be appreciated more than words could express.   We want to say thank you for considering our needs.   Sincerely, Gary Koontz