Living Light Hope House

Note about our Goal

We will be updating the GOAL amount to reflect large donations given through other avenues. Our Master Goal for this project is $300,000, and we've raised over 80% of that goal. Please like and share and donate so we can finish this house!
Total Raised= 242,139
Goal= 300,000

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The Reuwer's Story

Mike and Megan Reuwer are no strangers to suffering. Their first baby Evan was born without a skull and died within minutes of birth. In true against-all-odds Reuwer fashion, their next baby Rowan was born promptly on the front seat of the car on the Fourth of July. He’s 12 years old, enjoys good health, and for him it’s all about basketball and fortnite.

Next came Phoenix, the medical marvel. Doctors had never seen an ultrasound as devastating as his and recommended termination. Today he is 10 years old. He can eat his own hot dog and FaceTime his uncle. We are so glad he is here with us. Phoenix has severe spina bifida (his spine jutted out at a right angle from his body when he was born) and he’s had countless surgeries, skin grafts and therapies to repair the wound on his back from that defect.  In 2015 he underwent an extensive procedure at Children’s in Boston to have rods inserted that would give him increased lung capacity and a better position in his wheelchair. However his body rejected the rods and they had to be removed (another expensive, extensive surgery). Phoenix requires total assistance with transitions from bed and chair, daily enemas, lots of hands-on help with school, play, and physical and occupational therapy. He adores water, his iPad and goofing off with his Papa.

Penelope is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade. She was born with tetralogy of fallot, a rare heart condition that requires a series of surgeries. During an emergency appendectomy, surgeons discovered that she also has several “duplicate” organs. Her case is a real head-scratcher. She has many symptoms and specialists are still trying to diagnose her fully. Most recently in April 2016 she had severe pain that resulted in the removal of 10 inches of small intestines. Recovery is slow and more appointments with specialists are in the future. Penelope loves princesses, pink, purple, silver and gold. And strawberries.

The baby of the family is Genevieve – but don’t call her a baby. You can, however, call her Veve. She is teeny but fierce. Born with both spina bifida and a heart defect requiring surgeries, she has her own set of physical challenges and limitations. She works hard in therapy and is learning to crawl, although at age 6 she gets around mainly in a wheelchair and needs to be catheterized multiple times a day. Veve loves sunglasses, snuggling, singing and pink.

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Hope House: a residence that is owned and operated by Living Light for the purpose of practically serving those among us, specifically those with special medical needs. The house will be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, which includes wide doorways, low sinks and counters, accessible showers, ramps or zero-grade transitions in and out of the house, and overall function that would afford a wheelchair-bound person, or aging person with need of assistance, the luxury of independence within the context of a family space.

Please consider donating to this fantastic project. Because the Hope House will be owned by Living Light Christian Church, a 501(c)3 organization, tax-exempt donations* can be made to fund and sustain it, and because it will be owned and operated by donations, the Hope House residents will not be responsible for the normal costs of living and maintenance. This is a HUGE blessing to a family who faces significant challenges every day.
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Construction

We are excited to announce that we have purchased the land,  removed the trees, drawn up approved plans, applied for and received all relevant permits, and we are in the process of building this house with skilled volunteers and special in-kind donors. 
The Hope House is located on the north side of Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

By SHARING this campaign you will help us reach a larger crowd.

Find updates here, on Facebook/Instagram (@llcchopehouse), or at our website: www.livinglightchurch.com/hope.

Thank you for partnering with us!

*Living Light Christian Church will use all donations from this GoFundMe campaign towards the mission of the Hope House: a residence that is owned and operated by Living Light for the purpose of practically serving those among us with special needs.