A Surprise for Jacob: Never Give Up
Donation protected
My name is Amber Corbett, but the kids in Saint Paul, Minnesota know me as Silly Miss Tilly. I'm a children's entertainer, a balloon artist, a musician, and a party starter. 
I love children, probably because I'm just a big kid myself. I love performing for them, playing along with them. I really love to visit kids who are struggling with disease, or birth defects, sometimes in the hospital, sometimes in their homes. Bringing smiles to their faces is my life's purpose, and it makes me happy at the same time! Win, Win!
Last year I was volunteering at a 'Conquer Chiari Walk' here in the Twin Cities, when I met a young boy named Jacob, who suffers from Chiari. Chiari is a birth defect where the cerebellum grows down along the spinal cord and puts pressure on that area. It can affect balance, cause headaches, and a host of other symptoms. It can be quite debilitating, and in rare cases, life-threatening. Luckily, for Jacob, his condition isn't that severe, though acute enough that he's been through three brain surgeries in an attempt to relieve some of the symptoms.
Jacob is ten years old, and despite his condition, is full of life, smiles, laughter, and kindness. He had such a blast with me and the other kids at the Chiari Walk, that when he went home, he couldn't stop talking about "Silly Miss Tilly!" He talked about me to his mom, to his friends at school, his teachers, everyone. He continued to the point where his mom felt like she should call me to book me for his birthday.
I went over to their house–in costume of course–to talk to her about arranging the birthday, and to hang out with my new friend. Both Jacob and I had so much fun that day. We played Skylanders, we shot off my Nerf Rocket-launcher, I brought him his own Silly Miss Tilly wig–which he wasn't that fond of–and we ate breakfast together.
Jacob's Dream
At school one day–before my visit to his house–Jacob had drawn a picture of himself in a tuxedo, standing by me, holding my hand, with the caption "My prom with Silly Miss Tilly."
When I saw that drawing on his mother's fridge, I almost started to cry, and I knew at that moment, I had to do something special for this boy.
My Plan
I want to ride up to Jacob's school one afternoon, in a limousine. Yes, a limo, full of balloons, and candy, and pops, and bubbles, and me! After he calms down from the shock, we'll drive off to do other fun things, like go-carting, playing video games in the limo, and going out to eat dinner.
How Can You Help?
Limo rides, go-carting, and dinner aren't cheap, certainly outside the budget of a local, children's entertainer. But with your help, I can make this dream come true for Jacob. Please help me to create Jacob's 'best day of his life.'
Rewards
You can be a part of the event! I plan to make a video of the day so that all the wonderful people who helped make it happen can see the smile on Jacob's face, and mine :) There are other fun reward levels to choose from. Maybe you would like me to appear at a birthday party, or charity event, or come see a friend or relative who's feeling down? Maybe you'd like to learn to make balloon art?
Stretch Goal
If we exceed the goal, I'd like to donate that money to Conquer Chiari , to further their goal to find treatments for the condition.
*Here are some of the rewards you might get for helping Jacob!
I hand-make these cards, in many different styles.
Get one of my Sun-Catcher, Wire Trees to hang in a window!
Get a Balloon-Flower Bouquet delievered to your door, or to someone you love! (Twin-Cities area only)
I love children, probably because I'm just a big kid myself. I love performing for them, playing along with them. I really love to visit kids who are struggling with disease, or birth defects, sometimes in the hospital, sometimes in their homes. Bringing smiles to their faces is my life's purpose, and it makes me happy at the same time! Win, Win!
Last year I was volunteering at a 'Conquer Chiari Walk' here in the Twin Cities, when I met a young boy named Jacob, who suffers from Chiari. Chiari is a birth defect where the cerebellum grows down along the spinal cord and puts pressure on that area. It can affect balance, cause headaches, and a host of other symptoms. It can be quite debilitating, and in rare cases, life-threatening. Luckily, for Jacob, his condition isn't that severe, though acute enough that he's been through three brain surgeries in an attempt to relieve some of the symptoms.
Jacob is ten years old, and despite his condition, is full of life, smiles, laughter, and kindness. He had such a blast with me and the other kids at the Chiari Walk, that when he went home, he couldn't stop talking about "Silly Miss Tilly!" He talked about me to his mom, to his friends at school, his teachers, everyone. He continued to the point where his mom felt like she should call me to book me for his birthday.
I went over to their house–in costume of course–to talk to her about arranging the birthday, and to hang out with my new friend. Both Jacob and I had so much fun that day. We played Skylanders, we shot off my Nerf Rocket-launcher, I brought him his own Silly Miss Tilly wig–which he wasn't that fond of–and we ate breakfast together.
Jacob's Dream
At school one day–before my visit to his house–Jacob had drawn a picture of himself in a tuxedo, standing by me, holding my hand, with the caption "My prom with Silly Miss Tilly."
When I saw that drawing on his mother's fridge, I almost started to cry, and I knew at that moment, I had to do something special for this boy.
My Plan
I want to ride up to Jacob's school one afternoon, in a limousine. Yes, a limo, full of balloons, and candy, and pops, and bubbles, and me! After he calms down from the shock, we'll drive off to do other fun things, like go-carting, playing video games in the limo, and going out to eat dinner.
How Can You Help?
Limo rides, go-carting, and dinner aren't cheap, certainly outside the budget of a local, children's entertainer. But with your help, I can make this dream come true for Jacob. Please help me to create Jacob's 'best day of his life.'
Rewards
You can be a part of the event! I plan to make a video of the day so that all the wonderful people who helped make it happen can see the smile on Jacob's face, and mine :) There are other fun reward levels to choose from. Maybe you would like me to appear at a birthday party, or charity event, or come see a friend or relative who's feeling down? Maybe you'd like to learn to make balloon art?
Stretch Goal
If we exceed the goal, I'd like to donate that money to Conquer Chiari , to further their goal to find treatments for the condition.
*Here are some of the rewards you might get for helping Jacob!
I hand-make these cards, in many different styles.Get one of my Sun-Catcher, Wire Trees to hang in a window!Get a Balloon-Flower Bouquet delievered to your door, or to someone you love! (Twin-Cities area only)Organizer
Amber Lynne Corbett
Organizer
St. Paul, MN