- D
Mike, Miranda, Audrey, Leah, and Wesley. Each with their own unique story and needs – but in this case 3 out of 5 members of their family share the frustrating need for handicapped, mobility assistance.
This sweet, adoptive family is in need of a reliable, handicapped-equipped van. But not just any van, a Szaloy VanWagon. Please read below how we can help to get them moving to currently postponed doctor appointments, treatments, and therapies and on the road to a better quality of life!
** Current Situation **
** The Solution **
The VanWagon will provide greater opportunity for the whole family to get out of the house and do more than just going to the doctor! Can you say Field Trip?
We are the Batt Family… cousins to the Szaloy Family. We can tell you that you can stop by the Szaloys’ place any day, have a sit on their front porch and be engaged in friendly, southern conversation for hours. But what the Szaloys won’t tell you about themselves is that they could use some help.
Wesley was born with Trisomy 21, duodenal atresia, and underdeveloped lungs. He spent his first 30 days of life in the NICU enduring surgery and uncertainty before coming home on oxygen. You'd never know it from his infectious smiles and laughter these days.
Leah was born with Rett syndrome and soon developed a condition that required brain surgery before age two. She remains a beautiful young mind trapped in her uncooperative body.
Mike and Miranda chose to adopt unborn Wesley (Wek) choosing the challenges and blessings of a Down Syndrome child. They chose Leah (at 5 years old) choosing the challenges of Rett’s, microcephaly, and multiple autoimmune diseases.
Mike and Miranda chose both children with selfless concern for the future challenges. By the way, that was after Mike beat cancer, but before Miranda would spend years chasing elusive, debilitating, nervous and immune systems illnesses, and before Audrey would selflessly commit to helping to provide care for all of them, while battling her own health challenges.
Miranda grew up healthy, and very active, tending to livestock and working on the family’s ranch. But now, for no specific reasons, she suffers from involuntary, seizure-like movements, deteriorating cognitive function, blood clots, and numerous other conditions requiring medications and therapies to manage pain and inflammation. She’s being treated for Hughes syndrome and Lupus and requires regular infusions - when the rare medications are available.
Today they deal with an assortment of family mobility issues. This requires various mobility aides as well as special accommodations such as lifts, wider doorways, easy to navigate steps, and extra space for caretakers to maneuver.
Please watch these videos of just one example of the struggles they face simply getting in and out of the family’s current vehicle.
Watch “Getting In”:
Leah, and her caretakers, struggle to get her in and out of current transportation. She is unable to bend while stepping at the same time. The patience necessary to repeatedly handle this seems beyond most of us... but never beyond their love for their family.
Watch "Getting Out“:
Extra cargo space is needed for medical supplies, a special toilet for Leah, and food brought from home to accommodate special dietary needs. The family has already run out of room in the family vehicle for some of these things and soon it will be almost impossible to get Leah in it at all.
Medical, dietary, and sanitary needs make every outing a tedious endeavor. This would be necessary for every "quick trip" to the grocery store.
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The Solution: A Ford Transit VanWagon
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Plenty of headroom for stepping into the van. Space to handle mobility challenges and even medical episodes such as a seizure while in transit.
The van will need to be outfitted with a power chair lift, a grill guard for safety, a toilet, storage, and an extra step for Leah. These are additional costs and features not provided at the dealership.
Financial needs are approximately:
Van: $53,025
Chair lift: $1,600
Grill guard: $2,400
Misc. customizations: $2,975
In Miranda's own words, "There are so many great ways for families to raise funds by providing a service or selling homemade goods. There are even ‘kits’ with candy or cookies, etc. available to individuals for fundraising like they do for school programs. But, there is simply no way for Mike or Audrey to add anything else to their plate and my health won’t allow me, either. Although Mike has a good job, his paychecks are quickly eclipsed by our regular monthly medical expenses.”
Sadly, conditions will get worse, and time is moving quickly. As much as the Szaloys persevere, their mobility issues will ultimately get worse. Leah and Miranda both battle chronic illness and, while there may be short spells of remission, there is ultimately no cure. Their diseases are fatal if left untreated. Treatments can significantly prolong life and improve quality of life but there will always be relapses as theirs are progressive diseases.
While we can’t do much to change their medical conditions, we CAN help this wonderful, selfless family find peace in this one way to put them on the path to better mobility.
We know there are so many in great need today. Thank you for taking the time to learn about your fellow neighbor today. Please help us provide for the Szaloys' needs by contributing according to your ability, and please share this campaign as widely as you can. God bless you and your loved ones.
Meet Mike and Miranda:
Mike works hard at his job, but his work at home can be much more difficult. Before he gets home, he may be grocery shopping, then at home he’s helping Audrey with kitchen duties, tending to children’s complex needs, and assisting Miranda. Mike is a melanoma survivor, a battle which consumed the early years of their marriage, but today he is in remission.
Next this wonder-couple endured a long battle with infertility, leading them to pursue adoption to finally build their dream of a big family. But sadly, Miranda would soon be diagnosed with cancer. Finding remission, she moved on to fight her next battles – years suffering from an unknown disease that has slowly stolen her motor and cognitive functions. Recently diagnose with Hughes syndrome and Lupus, the years are filled with good days and bad weeks. Almost back to normal some days, followed by extended confinement in bed.
Mike and Miranda not only lean hard on their faith, they live fully within it. They hope the greatest impact they will have on their children is their knowing God’s love. To supplement mom’s failing memory, together they strive to make the most of the moments they have as her disease progresses.
Meet Big Sis, Audrey:
After much prayer and petition, Audrey put her entire life on hold to move back in and care for family. Her days are filled with toileting, diapering, bathing, cooking, cleaning, administering treatments and meds, dealing with spasms and bodily fluids. And she does it with the warmest of spirit and playfulness with the ones she loves,
Although she has no income, as she works 18-20 hr days at home, she wanted a way to contribute to the family’s mounting medical debt. So, she painstakingly pampered her hair to increase its value, grew it out and sold 36” to an extension dealer!
She wears herself out for her family, battling sleep deprivation and health issues of her own. She prays continually for strength, peace, and healing for herself and her whole family.
Meet Wesley (Wek):
Precious Wesley was born with Trisomy 21, duodenal atresia, and underdeveloped lungs, little Wek had a rough start. He needed duodenal bypass surgery and an appendectomy when he was just three days old. He wasn’t able to eat until he was two weeks old. Wesley spent his first 30 days of life in the NICU before coming home on oxygen. He is a fighter!
He has his share of respiratory battles and developmental delays, but he doesn’t let that stop him! Every day is exciting, and he likes to learn as much as he can about his heart and lungs and all his equipment. Doctors and nurses become family, and sometimes the firemen take him to the hospital in the big red truck. He considers it an honor and he always shakes their hand and says thank you. He loves to help around the house and with his grandparents feeding the animals at the barn.
Most importantly, Wesley loves God and worshiping, praying, singing praises, and reading his Bible. He worries about his mama, sister, and “Honey,” his grandmother. Days are often interrupted by his impromptu prayers - the most beautiful prayers you’ll ever hear.
Meet Leah:
Sweet Leah was born with Rett syndrome and soon developed a condition that required brain surgery before age two. These, plus other issues have stolen her ability to control most of her body. She needs lots of stretching and therapy.
Her beautiful mind is trapped in the body that functions like a seven month old infant - with the exception of poorly gated walking. Communication cards allow her to answer yes/no questions or point out basic needs, but, it’s a frustrating way to express yourself.
Everything must be done for her every day - even transitioning between sitting and standing. Some of her health battles include microcephaly, severe headaches, and joint-displacing muscle spasms. She has many rough days and much frustration over things she can’t do or express.
In spite of it all, she still finds reasons to smile. She loves her church family and often laughs through worship or Bible time at home as she is so filled with so much joy. She loves music and has a definite opinion about what she wants to listen to. She loves her family, her cousins, and antagonizing her brother of course. She’s 100% Daddy’s girl.
Mike and Miranda share their personal adoption experience, watch “Adoption Is”:
This sweet, adoptive family is in need of a reliable, handicapped-equipped van. But not just any van, a Szaloy VanWagon. Please read below how we can help to get them moving to currently postponed doctor appointments, treatments, and therapies and on the road to a better quality of life!
** Current Situation **
** The Solution **
The VanWagon will provide greater opportunity for the whole family to get out of the house and do more than just going to the doctor! Can you say Field Trip?
We are the Batt Family… cousins to the Szaloy Family. We can tell you that you can stop by the Szaloys’ place any day, have a sit on their front porch and be engaged in friendly, southern conversation for hours. But what the Szaloys won’t tell you about themselves is that they could use some help.
Wesley was born with Trisomy 21, duodenal atresia, and underdeveloped lungs. He spent his first 30 days of life in the NICU enduring surgery and uncertainty before coming home on oxygen. You'd never know it from his infectious smiles and laughter these days.Leah was born with Rett syndrome and soon developed a condition that required brain surgery before age two. She remains a beautiful young mind trapped in her uncooperative body.
Mike and Miranda chose to adopt unborn Wesley (Wek) choosing the challenges and blessings of a Down Syndrome child. They chose Leah (at 5 years old) choosing the challenges of Rett’s, microcephaly, and multiple autoimmune diseases.
Mike and Miranda chose both children with selfless concern for the future challenges. By the way, that was after Mike beat cancer, but before Miranda would spend years chasing elusive, debilitating, nervous and immune systems illnesses, and before Audrey would selflessly commit to helping to provide care for all of them, while battling her own health challenges.
Miranda grew up healthy, and very active, tending to livestock and working on the family’s ranch. But now, for no specific reasons, she suffers from involuntary, seizure-like movements, deteriorating cognitive function, blood clots, and numerous other conditions requiring medications and therapies to manage pain and inflammation. She’s being treated for Hughes syndrome and Lupus and requires regular infusions - when the rare medications are available.Today they deal with an assortment of family mobility issues. This requires various mobility aides as well as special accommodations such as lifts, wider doorways, easy to navigate steps, and extra space for caretakers to maneuver.
Please watch these videos of just one example of the struggles they face simply getting in and out of the family’s current vehicle.
Watch “Getting In”:
Leah, and her caretakers, struggle to get her in and out of current transportation. She is unable to bend while stepping at the same time. The patience necessary to repeatedly handle this seems beyond most of us... but never beyond their love for their family.
Watch "Getting Out“:
Extra cargo space is needed for medical supplies, a special toilet for Leah, and food brought from home to accommodate special dietary needs. The family has already run out of room in the family vehicle for some of these things and soon it will be almost impossible to get Leah in it at all.
Medical, dietary, and sanitary needs make every outing a tedious endeavor. This would be necessary for every "quick trip" to the grocery store.
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
The Solution: A Ford Transit VanWagon
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Plenty of headroom for stepping into the van. Space to handle mobility challenges and even medical episodes such as a seizure while in transit.
The van will need to be outfitted with a power chair lift, a grill guard for safety, a toilet, storage, and an extra step for Leah. These are additional costs and features not provided at the dealership.
Financial needs are approximately:
Van: $53,025
Chair lift: $1,600
Grill guard: $2,400
Misc. customizations: $2,975
In Miranda's own words, "There are so many great ways for families to raise funds by providing a service or selling homemade goods. There are even ‘kits’ with candy or cookies, etc. available to individuals for fundraising like they do for school programs. But, there is simply no way for Mike or Audrey to add anything else to their plate and my health won’t allow me, either. Although Mike has a good job, his paychecks are quickly eclipsed by our regular monthly medical expenses.”
Sadly, conditions will get worse, and time is moving quickly. As much as the Szaloys persevere, their mobility issues will ultimately get worse. Leah and Miranda both battle chronic illness and, while there may be short spells of remission, there is ultimately no cure. Their diseases are fatal if left untreated. Treatments can significantly prolong life and improve quality of life but there will always be relapses as theirs are progressive diseases.
While we can’t do much to change their medical conditions, we CAN help this wonderful, selfless family find peace in this one way to put them on the path to better mobility.
We know there are so many in great need today. Thank you for taking the time to learn about your fellow neighbor today. Please help us provide for the Szaloys' needs by contributing according to your ability, and please share this campaign as widely as you can. God bless you and your loved ones.
Meet Mike and Miranda:
Mike works hard at his job, but his work at home can be much more difficult. Before he gets home, he may be grocery shopping, then at home he’s helping Audrey with kitchen duties, tending to children’s complex needs, and assisting Miranda. Mike is a melanoma survivor, a battle which consumed the early years of their marriage, but today he is in remission.
Next this wonder-couple endured a long battle with infertility, leading them to pursue adoption to finally build their dream of a big family. But sadly, Miranda would soon be diagnosed with cancer. Finding remission, she moved on to fight her next battles – years suffering from an unknown disease that has slowly stolen her motor and cognitive functions. Recently diagnose with Hughes syndrome and Lupus, the years are filled with good days and bad weeks. Almost back to normal some days, followed by extended confinement in bed.
Mike and Miranda not only lean hard on their faith, they live fully within it. They hope the greatest impact they will have on their children is their knowing God’s love. To supplement mom’s failing memory, together they strive to make the most of the moments they have as her disease progresses.
Meet Big Sis, Audrey:
After much prayer and petition, Audrey put her entire life on hold to move back in and care for family. Her days are filled with toileting, diapering, bathing, cooking, cleaning, administering treatments and meds, dealing with spasms and bodily fluids. And she does it with the warmest of spirit and playfulness with the ones she loves,
Although she has no income, as she works 18-20 hr days at home, she wanted a way to contribute to the family’s mounting medical debt. So, she painstakingly pampered her hair to increase its value, grew it out and sold 36” to an extension dealer!
She wears herself out for her family, battling sleep deprivation and health issues of her own. She prays continually for strength, peace, and healing for herself and her whole family.
Meet Wesley (Wek):
Precious Wesley was born with Trisomy 21, duodenal atresia, and underdeveloped lungs, little Wek had a rough start. He needed duodenal bypass surgery and an appendectomy when he was just three days old. He wasn’t able to eat until he was two weeks old. Wesley spent his first 30 days of life in the NICU before coming home on oxygen. He is a fighter!
He has his share of respiratory battles and developmental delays, but he doesn’t let that stop him! Every day is exciting, and he likes to learn as much as he can about his heart and lungs and all his equipment. Doctors and nurses become family, and sometimes the firemen take him to the hospital in the big red truck. He considers it an honor and he always shakes their hand and says thank you. He loves to help around the house and with his grandparents feeding the animals at the barn.
Most importantly, Wesley loves God and worshiping, praying, singing praises, and reading his Bible. He worries about his mama, sister, and “Honey,” his grandmother. Days are often interrupted by his impromptu prayers - the most beautiful prayers you’ll ever hear.
Meet Leah:
Sweet Leah was born with Rett syndrome and soon developed a condition that required brain surgery before age two. These, plus other issues have stolen her ability to control most of her body. She needs lots of stretching and therapy.
Her beautiful mind is trapped in the body that functions like a seven month old infant - with the exception of poorly gated walking. Communication cards allow her to answer yes/no questions or point out basic needs, but, it’s a frustrating way to express yourself.
Everything must be done for her every day - even transitioning between sitting and standing. Some of her health battles include microcephaly, severe headaches, and joint-displacing muscle spasms. She has many rough days and much frustration over things she can’t do or express.
In spite of it all, she still finds reasons to smile. She loves her church family and often laughs through worship or Bible time at home as she is so filled with so much joy. She loves music and has a definite opinion about what she wants to listen to. She loves her family, her cousins, and antagonizing her brother of course. She’s 100% Daddy’s girl.
Mike and Miranda share their personal adoption experience, watch “Adoption Is”: