In Memory of Leah's Fight with ALS
Donation protected
Leah, beautiful mom of two battling ALS
Everyone faces challenges. Bob and Leah Bardin have faced several, each with positive enthusiasm and faith that has delivered them what they needed, when they needed it most. Survivors. Believers.
Bob and Leah met more than 25 years ago in high school and even dated for a short time. Their paths after high school took them in different directions for a while -- to college and jobs and new friends. Both happy, but not content, until their paths joined again at an unplanned, but meant-to-be, meeting 8 years later. Embracing the gift of each other, the two have not been apart since, and married in 2002.
To know Leah and Bob is to know joy. They love to be around other people and are typically the first to arrive and the last to leave. Family and friends were overjoyed when Leah and Bob made the decision to have a family. But that decision was not without obstacles and heartache. 3 years and 2 rounds of IVF later, Joseph Royce made his arrival. Three years later this past August, baby sister Savannah Brooke would join the very close-knit family.
Family is a priority to Bob and Leah, who ensure they spend as much time as possible with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And ideally, family time involves being on the water -- fishing, sailing, diving, skiing, cruising, or swimming. Savannah and Joseph had their first boat rides when they were both less than three months old. If it’s on the water, the Bardin's would be in.
And like any salty mariner, they’ve been through some serious squalls. Joseph was born five weeks early at five pounds 12 ounces. He had to spend a few days in the NICU, but in a matter of weeks grew taller and heavier than a majority of babies his age born at full term. Savannah came even quicker than Joseph, arriving 10 weeks early and weighing three pounds six ounces. She was no bigger than Bob’s hand. Savannah spent two months in the NICU. With the grace of God, she grew to a normal healthy baby girl in a matter of months, and is also comparing well to babies her age that were born at full term.
Bob will say that they are all survivors and persevere in adversity. But now they are facing the biggest hurricane of their lives.
While Savannah was still in NICU, family and friends noticed a dramatic decline in Leah’s physical and conversational abilities. Fearing that perhaps she had a stroke during her pregnancy, Bob took her for several tests. No one was ready for the true culprit: ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) with cognitive impairment. At a time when one minute cannot be spared, the addition of cognitive impairment is known to speed the rate of progression and/or shorten survival time. Our only defense against this incurable disease is our faith in God and love and support of family and friends, both of which are tremendous. Leah is a fighter and will give this horrible disease a run for its money before she lets it get her down.
Still, in the 5 short months since her diagnosis, ALS has taken a lot. Only 42 years old, Leah has lost use of her hands, arms and very limited movement in her legs. She cannot move on her own. She cannot feed herself. She cannot manage her breathing machine that keeps air in her lungs or put on the neck brace that helps her hold her beautiful head high. Unbelievably, she is already in need of home health care. While family and friends volunteer as much as possible, a more stable solution must be found. And unfortunately, this type of care runs several thousand dollars each month and is not covered completely by health benefit plans.
With a 4 year-old boy, 8 month old baby girl and mounting responsibilities, Bob continues to be a hero, holding down his job and fighting with a smile to keep everyone safe and happy. More than ever Bob and Leah need the special blessing of financial support for her home health care needs. We thank you for any help you can provide!
Everyone faces challenges. Bob and Leah Bardin have faced several, each with positive enthusiasm and faith that has delivered them what they needed, when they needed it most. Survivors. Believers.
Bob and Leah met more than 25 years ago in high school and even dated for a short time. Their paths after high school took them in different directions for a while -- to college and jobs and new friends. Both happy, but not content, until their paths joined again at an unplanned, but meant-to-be, meeting 8 years later. Embracing the gift of each other, the two have not been apart since, and married in 2002.
To know Leah and Bob is to know joy. They love to be around other people and are typically the first to arrive and the last to leave. Family and friends were overjoyed when Leah and Bob made the decision to have a family. But that decision was not without obstacles and heartache. 3 years and 2 rounds of IVF later, Joseph Royce made his arrival. Three years later this past August, baby sister Savannah Brooke would join the very close-knit family.
Family is a priority to Bob and Leah, who ensure they spend as much time as possible with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And ideally, family time involves being on the water -- fishing, sailing, diving, skiing, cruising, or swimming. Savannah and Joseph had their first boat rides when they were both less than three months old. If it’s on the water, the Bardin's would be in.
And like any salty mariner, they’ve been through some serious squalls. Joseph was born five weeks early at five pounds 12 ounces. He had to spend a few days in the NICU, but in a matter of weeks grew taller and heavier than a majority of babies his age born at full term. Savannah came even quicker than Joseph, arriving 10 weeks early and weighing three pounds six ounces. She was no bigger than Bob’s hand. Savannah spent two months in the NICU. With the grace of God, she grew to a normal healthy baby girl in a matter of months, and is also comparing well to babies her age that were born at full term.
Bob will say that they are all survivors and persevere in adversity. But now they are facing the biggest hurricane of their lives.
While Savannah was still in NICU, family and friends noticed a dramatic decline in Leah’s physical and conversational abilities. Fearing that perhaps she had a stroke during her pregnancy, Bob took her for several tests. No one was ready for the true culprit: ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) with cognitive impairment. At a time when one minute cannot be spared, the addition of cognitive impairment is known to speed the rate of progression and/or shorten survival time. Our only defense against this incurable disease is our faith in God and love and support of family and friends, both of which are tremendous. Leah is a fighter and will give this horrible disease a run for its money before she lets it get her down.
Still, in the 5 short months since her diagnosis, ALS has taken a lot. Only 42 years old, Leah has lost use of her hands, arms and very limited movement in her legs. She cannot move on her own. She cannot feed herself. She cannot manage her breathing machine that keeps air in her lungs or put on the neck brace that helps her hold her beautiful head high. Unbelievably, she is already in need of home health care. While family and friends volunteer as much as possible, a more stable solution must be found. And unfortunately, this type of care runs several thousand dollars each month and is not covered completely by health benefit plans.
With a 4 year-old boy, 8 month old baby girl and mounting responsibilities, Bob continues to be a hero, holding down his job and fighting with a smile to keep everyone safe and happy. More than ever Bob and Leah need the special blessing of financial support for her home health care needs. We thank you for any help you can provide!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Kriegel Roy
Organizer
Sugar Land, TX
Robert Bardin
Beneficiary
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