During Raise The Roof, a fundraiser for Hope 4 MVC Kids Society, held Nov. 24 at the Willow Lane Barn east of Olds, three ladies spoke about how the society has helped their families.
The three were Rita Fahlman, the grandmother of a child with autism; Misty Reimer, who has a child who required several heart surgeries; and Marvell McAmmond, whose daughter has Dravet syndrome, a rare dysfunction of the brain that results in a type of epilepsy, complete with seizures.
Fahlman described the strain as she and her husband had to forego their plans for retirement and take guardianship of her three grandchildren, one of whom, Colton, has autism.
"Hope 4 MVC Kids Society assisted with a special car seat for Colton and sensory items. We also made the bathroom safe. We have also assisted with medications not covered," Hope 4 MVC Society Kids founder Lisa Nicholson said.
"I personally assisted Rita in guiding her through systems to get support," she added.
Reimer related the strain on her family as one of their twin sons underwent 10 heart surgeries.
"We assisted with accommodation, sibling care, gas and food costs during his admission," Nicholson said.
In McAmmond's case "we helped by providing Dawsyn’s rescue meds which are $300 per dose and not available through Alberta Health Services," Nicholson said.
