Donation protected
Child loss*Children with special needs*Mounting medical bills
Summary (Full Story Below)
Jolee and Sam have been through so much between losing Mary Margaret, and now caring for Ben and Nina, both of whom have complicated medical issues that have been requiring frequent doctor visits, therapies, and hospitalizations. Even Sam and Jolee have had a few of their own health complications that have required hospitalization (a stroke-like event for Sam and postpartum preeclampsia for Jolee). The winter season has been rough on them as well, with both children requiring hospitialization for complications from the flu. This family has been getting a firehose dosage of life's trials with barely any chance to catch their breath between difficult circumstances. While the difficulties have certainly worn on their souls, they have remained steadfast in their faith and seek to honor God even amidst these trials.
Struggling to Make Ends Meet
The medical bills are mounting. Jolee is no longer able to work, as the kids need her full-time. It has been a challenge for them to afford groceries and pay bills because money is so tight. In addition to working full-time, which requires a lot of travel, Sam has started driving for Uber and Jolee is trying to get back into being a consultant for Usborne books. My hope is that we can help them focus on caring for their kids and having time for each other without having to take on extra jobs.
I know that there are family, friends, and a community who would love to help ease the burden for Jolee and Sam and give them a little breathing room financially as they navigate this utterly challenging and exhausting season of life. The initial goal of raising funds was to allow them get some help with cleaning around the house, but it was apparent their financial needs exceeded that scope. The funds raised will go directly to Jolee and Sam to help them pay their current and future medical bills, allow them to get some cleaning help around the house, and whatever else will ease their burden in this season that is dominated by doctor appointments/hospitalizations.
Please consider helping with a one time donation or come back as often as you feel led to help. No donation is too small. Thank you!
The Full Story
Mary Margaret
All who have followed Jolee and Sam’s story know that they have had to endure many trials since they got married in January of 2015. They had their hearts forever changed by their honeymoon baby, Mary Margaret, who was born at 34 weeks and lived for an hour and forty-six minutes in their arms before departing to heaven due to triploidy. Their hearts will always carry the wound of losing a child. To read more about their journey with Mary, see Jolee's blog here: Unconditionally Loved.
Benjamin Douglas
In September of 2016, they were blessed by the arrival of their sweet son Benjamin. He has struggled with significant GI and feeding issues since infancy resulting in the placement of a G-tube. He is completely dependent on this tube for food and hydration. He also has severe food allergies, requiring a very strict blended diet. As Jolee and Sam call him, Big Brave Ben continues to work so hard to make progress on his feeding, sensory, and developmental issues. In January, he had a rough bout with the flu and febrile seizures earning him a multiple day stay in the hospital.
Nina Jane
In October of 2018, their precious Nina Jane was born 6 weeks premature. Her early arrival brought with it nearly a month stay in the NICU, a scary bout with an intestinal infection, and still unresolved severe apnea and breathing issues that require her to be on oxygen. After initially eating well, Nina developed severe reflux requiring the placement of an NJ tube, which bypasses her stomach and sends food directly into her intestines. Initial results from a sleep study indicate that Nina has severe obstructive apnea and moderate central apnea, which also affects her ability to get restful sleep. They are scheduled to meet up with a number of specialists ASAP to see what needs to be done in order to address these issues. For more information, see Jolee's new blog: Choosing Joy.
We all pray fervently with them that Ben and Nina’s health challenges will be a thing of the past, but until that point, let’s come alongside them and be God’s answer to their prayers to help them financially through this incredibly demanding, exhausting, scary, and difficult season of their lives.
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NIV)
Summary (Full Story Below)Jolee and Sam have been through so much between losing Mary Margaret, and now caring for Ben and Nina, both of whom have complicated medical issues that have been requiring frequent doctor visits, therapies, and hospitalizations. Even Sam and Jolee have had a few of their own health complications that have required hospitalization (a stroke-like event for Sam and postpartum preeclampsia for Jolee). The winter season has been rough on them as well, with both children requiring hospitialization for complications from the flu. This family has been getting a firehose dosage of life's trials with barely any chance to catch their breath between difficult circumstances. While the difficulties have certainly worn on their souls, they have remained steadfast in their faith and seek to honor God even amidst these trials.
Struggling to Make Ends Meet
The medical bills are mounting. Jolee is no longer able to work, as the kids need her full-time. It has been a challenge for them to afford groceries and pay bills because money is so tight. In addition to working full-time, which requires a lot of travel, Sam has started driving for Uber and Jolee is trying to get back into being a consultant for Usborne books. My hope is that we can help them focus on caring for their kids and having time for each other without having to take on extra jobs.
I know that there are family, friends, and a community who would love to help ease the burden for Jolee and Sam and give them a little breathing room financially as they navigate this utterly challenging and exhausting season of life. The initial goal of raising funds was to allow them get some help with cleaning around the house, but it was apparent their financial needs exceeded that scope. The funds raised will go directly to Jolee and Sam to help them pay their current and future medical bills, allow them to get some cleaning help around the house, and whatever else will ease their burden in this season that is dominated by doctor appointments/hospitalizations.
Please consider helping with a one time donation or come back as often as you feel led to help. No donation is too small. Thank you!
The Full Story
Mary Margaret
All who have followed Jolee and Sam’s story know that they have had to endure many trials since they got married in January of 2015. They had their hearts forever changed by their honeymoon baby, Mary Margaret, who was born at 34 weeks and lived for an hour and forty-six minutes in their arms before departing to heaven due to triploidy. Their hearts will always carry the wound of losing a child. To read more about their journey with Mary, see Jolee's blog here: Unconditionally Loved.
Benjamin Douglas
In September of 2016, they were blessed by the arrival of their sweet son Benjamin. He has struggled with significant GI and feeding issues since infancy resulting in the placement of a G-tube. He is completely dependent on this tube for food and hydration. He also has severe food allergies, requiring a very strict blended diet. As Jolee and Sam call him, Big Brave Ben continues to work so hard to make progress on his feeding, sensory, and developmental issues. In January, he had a rough bout with the flu and febrile seizures earning him a multiple day stay in the hospital.
Nina Jane
In October of 2018, their precious Nina Jane was born 6 weeks premature. Her early arrival brought with it nearly a month stay in the NICU, a scary bout with an intestinal infection, and still unresolved severe apnea and breathing issues that require her to be on oxygen. After initially eating well, Nina developed severe reflux requiring the placement of an NJ tube, which bypasses her stomach and sends food directly into her intestines. Initial results from a sleep study indicate that Nina has severe obstructive apnea and moderate central apnea, which also affects her ability to get restful sleep. They are scheduled to meet up with a number of specialists ASAP to see what needs to be done in order to address these issues. For more information, see Jolee's new blog: Choosing Joy.
We all pray fervently with them that Ben and Nina’s health challenges will be a thing of the past, but until that point, let’s come alongside them and be God’s answer to their prayers to help them financially through this incredibly demanding, exhausting, scary, and difficult season of their lives.
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NIV)
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Kassner
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
Sam Krause
Beneficiary