It might be an overused phrase but that's only because it's so true. We always knew we'd have plenty of support when we became parents, but we didn't anticipate the level of support we'd eventually need to care for Jack and his medical complexities.
Like most people, we entered parenthood with our "village" of family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. We felt incredibly lucky for all these wonderful people and our relationships with them.
Little did we know how much our "village" would grow over the next 2 years.
A couple months shy of Jack's 2nd birthday, our "village" extends far beyond our original crew--it's filled with the most amazing doctors, nurses, social workers, PTs/OTs/SLPs, therapists, friends of friends, family friends, NKH researchers, NKH families, pharmacists, phlebotomists, receptionists, nutritionists and chiropractors. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone but the point is, the support we've received from near and far is incredible and, honestly, a bit overwhelming.
There's the everyday support we get from our family and friends, the ongoing guidance and care from Jack's providers and therapists, the over the top generosity and thoughtful messages from friends of friends, family friends, people we haven't seen in years and people we've never even met, the commitment and optimism from the NKH researchers, the kindness of Joe's barber to come in early on Saturdays to cut Jack's hair when it's less crowded, and the phlebotomist who draws Jack's labs effortlessly, quickly and with as little pain as possible (even when it's the 3rd lab draw that week). All of that and so much more.
These big and small shows of support lift us up and keep our family going. The knowledge that Joe and I are not alone in our fight to give Jack, and kids like him, the best, fullest, healthiest life possible is so, so special.
"Thank you" will never be enough but THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us.
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