Spread Leo's Light to Others

"While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light."

~ JOHN 12:36

Thank you for your interest in shining Leo's light! Leo's smile was a force that caused others to smile, and his eyes emitted love so pure it could bring a troubled soul to peace. There were many physical limitations Leo endured, and in those darkest of moments, others stepped up to help Leo and our family. These kind individuals provided hope, and the organizations that opened their services to Leo were so generous and thoughtful. That is why a donation will be made to the following non-profit organizations on behalf of Breath of Light, and your contributions will help support the good work provided.

Katy’s Kloset was an organization that brought a great deal of relief to our lives. They provided a free service to borrow medical equipment for any length of time. These items were donated by previous users who either outgrew them or no longer needed them. Access to these items bridged gaps, especially during times when specialized items, such as a wheelchair, to suit Leo’s particular needs took so long to manufacture. Numerous volunteers give their time to assist in finding what is needed, such as a walker, wheelchair, bath equipment, or diapers. Many workers over the years had their hearts warmed by Leo’s presence. The handyman was skilled at making what was in stock fit Leo’s needs until his own personal item was ready. They did such an amazing job providing for Leo, that over the course of his life, we only had to request one wheelchair from our insurance company.

Independence First offers a wide range of services and resources for people with disabilities aiding in their ability to live independently in the community. In addition to the classes and workshops provided, they also advocate for inclusion and positive change in all aspects of life. For Leo, this particular non-profit organization assisted in his social and entertainment areas of life. Leo was always up for trying amazing adventures. When adaptive water and snow skiing were presented as opportunities, Leo was up for the challenge. These adventures were led by special people, dedicating not only their time, but their resources to make the experiences happen. The engineering behind these events is brilliant. Creating a ski that can help support an individual with limited core strength, crafting it so it can click onto the lift safely, and then providing a skilled skier to assist in taking the special needs child down the hill is such a heart-touching moment.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission is to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Our family circumstances led us to have Leo’s wish granted. Our wish grantors planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World which had an unforgettable impact on our family that went beyond just the trip. Make-A-Wish gave us an experience to remember forever, even more so now that Leo is gone. We witnessed the sparkle of pure joy in Leo’s eyes, despite the fragile state his body was in.