A very special post...

I've never written a post like this before so it's hard to know where to start.

Yesterday I had an email from one of my lovely customers, Lesley from Brisbane.
Lesley asked if I could make a customised version of a print I'd made for her a few months back for a little girl Kate, who is turning two next week.

I love hearing about who the recipients of my prints are and when Lesley told me that little Kate is very sick, as in VERY sick I felt so upset and I told Lesley it made me so sad because my little William is only a few months younger than little Kate.

So Lesley sent me a link to the families support page on The Developing Foundation so I could read about Kate's story and her inspirational family.

Here is an extract from the website:

Kate was born with a congential heart condition called Tretalogy of Fallow – which affects 4 areas of the heart anatomy. She also has Micro-cephaly (which means small head and brain) and Epilepsy, as well as feeding and breathing difficulties. Kate really is a miracle baby – a strong little fighter who is a beautiful little girl.

The doctors can’t find a reason why Kate has so many medical problems – it is thought that she has a syndrome so rare it can not yet be identified by genetics. Kate spent 40 weeks of the first year of her life, in hospital – and continues to have frequent admissions. Kate has undergone countless operations including Open heart Surgery (aged 9 months).

Unfortunately Kate’s heart anatomy is unable to be repaired – sadly she was deemed palliative in January 2010. The doctors are uncertain how long her heart will keep working for, at the moment it is going well - the boys understand that their sister Kate will not grow up to be big like them.

Our wish for Kate is “ that we can provide her with the quality of care and love she needs for the rest of her life – so that we can continue to cherish every borrowed day with our beautiful little girl.” Funding is needed for medical equipment, therapy and much needed in-home support and respite. So that we as parents, can focus on the important task of providing ongoing care for our family.

I can't read this without crying. I can't imagine what this family have gone through (click here for the Family support page) so after making a donation I asked Lesley if she thought it would be alright to share little Kate's story with my blog readers.

She said yes and kindly sent me a photo of the little birthday girl! So please take a moment to read about the Engwirda family and feel free to share the link.

It's so important to remember that every moment we have with our loved ones is a precious gift isn't it.