There have been moments throughout our journey with Ella where we have been connected with people whom we shall never forget. Circumstances landed us in the same place at the same time and the outcome of those relationships have been life-altering.
People ask me all the time why I decided to share our story so publicly. Why I want people to know what we endure, both good and bad. For me, it’s twofold. For so long I didn’t share anything with anyone outside of our inner circle. For the first few years of Ella’s life that suited me well. After a while though, I started to feel isolated. Family and friends were wonderful listeners and supporters but I had no one consistently in my life at the time who could relate to what we were going through. No one who really understood the daily struggles. I was lonely, and I knew the only way to help me better help Ella was to find people I could relate to.
Truth be told, I was ready to write about our story long before I was ready to share it. I had created my website and saved all my writing in drafts, for about a year, before anyone else got to read them. Going back through and editing before I published them was the dose of reality I needed to propel so much in motion. I thought I was stuck, but looking back there had truly been so much growth. When you are living in the moment it is easy to forget that.
Once Ella’s story was published online, there was no turning back. The love and support we received was abundant. People were sharing their own stories of struggle, leading us in directions to obtain further resources, and offering to help in any way they could. Ella has a way of capturing people’s hearts and is incredibly easy to love. She fights so hard each day and smiles and laughs through it all.
In meeting and hearing from other people about the journeys they were on, I felt a calling to do more. I truly wished, if only in some small way, I could help each and every one of them. One night I said to Steve, wouldn’t it be awesome if we could start a foundation to raise money to help other special needs families? Steve, the realist, knew it wouldn’t be as easy as I wanted. He also never discourages me and knows I always find a way to make what I want happen.
It took some time but here we are. If I had never shared Ella’s story we would never have the amazing village we do now. A group of men and women who support and encourage me to shine. Folks who lift me up and continue to make me believe anything is possible. Without them, The Ella Rose Foundation would still be a dream instead of a reality.
Our mission is simple. We want to help, in any way we can, special needs families who are struggling and need support. It can be financial support, emotional support, or spiritual support. Something as simple as a grocery gift card or complex as helping make medical equipment financially attainable. The possibilities are endless and I can’t wait to see where the path leads.
In the coming months, I will be discussing some potential fundraisers and little ways you can help as well. In the meantime, I will drop the link below if anyone would like to donate. It can be one-time or recurring. No amount is too small. Thank you in advance for all your support. I could not be more excited.
https://cfosny.org/our-funds/project-funds/ella-rose-foundation/
Our Special Needs World 