Gracen's Journey of Hope
Donation protected
Please read the story below. It's a story about a little boy's life that is touching hearts now and will forever. His name is Gracen and he has Cerebral Palsy and is in respiratory failure. The outcome does not look good. The money raised from this site will be used to help this family of 10 during this difficult time with their son Gracen. It will be used for end of life preparations, medical expenses, and misc. bills. It will also allow the parents to take an unpaid leave of absence from work to be with the family and Gracen during this time of grieving and loss.
GRACEN HAS PURPOSE - Here is his story...
Mike & Shanda Verhagen are the proud parents of their son Gracen. The doctors told them the heart breaking news that their son was only 2 lbs. 12 oz. and that the amniotic fluid was completely gone when he was born. Shanda remembers lying on the operating table as she cried and prayed for God to help him and protect him. As she laid there weeping, she prayed and told God if He needed to take her son that she wouldn't be mad at Him. Gracen was born alive with his cord wrapped around his neck and the doctor’s immediately took him to the NICU.
Shanda had a 50% placenta infarction, meaning her placenta was slowly dying and only 50% working to keep him alive. God gave Shanda discernment to go to the doctor asap. One more day in the womb he may not have survived at all. He is a little miracle baby. Every day that went by they had more and more hope that Gracen was going to make it through this and that God had a plan and a purpose for his life. They realized as they held Gracen in their arms the very precious gift of life they were given. It truly is a gift that many take for granted. They held their son that day and were so thankful for him to be alive.
At one month old Gracen had an ultrasound done on his brain and was diagnosed with PVL, which is a brain injury from lack of oxygen. They said he could have a good chance of developing CP (Cerebral Palsy) from that birth injury. They were to bring their son home and just wait and watch for signs of CP. This is a really difficult thing to do as a parent. Around 3 months of age they began to see the signs. The Neurologist was called and at 5 1/2 months old Gracen was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Their hearts were broken into a million pieces. What will their son's future hold? What will their future's hold?
Gracen is now 5 years old. He has been through everything from several severe sicknesses, therapies, feeding tubes, surgeries, and many hospital stays. It has been a rough 5 years with many struggles to survive. He has always fought hard and always kept that smile while never complaining. His journey has really taught us all a lot. He has brought joy to so many people. Life is precious and you should savor every moment you have with those you love. Gracen definitely has drawn many closer to God and taught them to depend on Him more every day. GRACEN HAS PURPOSE!
Recently Gracen was really sick and was taken in for a checkup. They found that Gracen has a chronic lung issue (collapsed lung) and has been diagnosed with respiratory failure. Over the past few days Mom and Dad have had to make some extremely difficult decisions that no parent should ever have to make. Hospice has now come alongside them for this journey. They will assist in making his time here as pain free and happy as possible while allowing him to be home with his family. We are waiting on the Lord as Gracen's life is in His hands.
At this time, they have no idea how much longer they will have with him. It could be weeks, months, or it could even be years. They just don’t know. They will take it day by day and be blessed with each and every day that God allows them to see his beautiful smile and they will continue to be blessed in his presence. As of now, he is home, content, and still smiling. Thank you so much again for all your continued prayers and support.
For more info, videos, pictures, and regular updates, please access Gracen's Facebook Page … "Gracen's Journey of Hope". To access click on the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/GracensJourneyofHope/
GRACEN HAS PURPOSE - Here is his story...
Mike & Shanda Verhagen are the proud parents of their son Gracen. The doctors told them the heart breaking news that their son was only 2 lbs. 12 oz. and that the amniotic fluid was completely gone when he was born. Shanda remembers lying on the operating table as she cried and prayed for God to help him and protect him. As she laid there weeping, she prayed and told God if He needed to take her son that she wouldn't be mad at Him. Gracen was born alive with his cord wrapped around his neck and the doctor’s immediately took him to the NICU.
Shanda had a 50% placenta infarction, meaning her placenta was slowly dying and only 50% working to keep him alive. God gave Shanda discernment to go to the doctor asap. One more day in the womb he may not have survived at all. He is a little miracle baby. Every day that went by they had more and more hope that Gracen was going to make it through this and that God had a plan and a purpose for his life. They realized as they held Gracen in their arms the very precious gift of life they were given. It truly is a gift that many take for granted. They held their son that day and were so thankful for him to be alive.
At one month old Gracen had an ultrasound done on his brain and was diagnosed with PVL, which is a brain injury from lack of oxygen. They said he could have a good chance of developing CP (Cerebral Palsy) from that birth injury. They were to bring their son home and just wait and watch for signs of CP. This is a really difficult thing to do as a parent. Around 3 months of age they began to see the signs. The Neurologist was called and at 5 1/2 months old Gracen was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Their hearts were broken into a million pieces. What will their son's future hold? What will their future's hold?
Gracen is now 5 years old. He has been through everything from several severe sicknesses, therapies, feeding tubes, surgeries, and many hospital stays. It has been a rough 5 years with many struggles to survive. He has always fought hard and always kept that smile while never complaining. His journey has really taught us all a lot. He has brought joy to so many people. Life is precious and you should savor every moment you have with those you love. Gracen definitely has drawn many closer to God and taught them to depend on Him more every day. GRACEN HAS PURPOSE!
Recently Gracen was really sick and was taken in for a checkup. They found that Gracen has a chronic lung issue (collapsed lung) and has been diagnosed with respiratory failure. Over the past few days Mom and Dad have had to make some extremely difficult decisions that no parent should ever have to make. Hospice has now come alongside them for this journey. They will assist in making his time here as pain free and happy as possible while allowing him to be home with his family. We are waiting on the Lord as Gracen's life is in His hands.
At this time, they have no idea how much longer they will have with him. It could be weeks, months, or it could even be years. They just don’t know. They will take it day by day and be blessed with each and every day that God allows them to see his beautiful smile and they will continue to be blessed in his presence. As of now, he is home, content, and still smiling. Thank you so much again for all your continued prayers and support.
For more info, videos, pictures, and regular updates, please access Gracen's Facebook Page … "Gracen's Journey of Hope". To access click on the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/GracensJourneyofHope/
Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Galske
Organizer
De Pere, WI
Mike &
Beneficiary
