July 16, 2008 by admin.

Wayne and Staff,

As we prepare to leave - we can say “we did it.” We’ve never traveled with Hannah in the nine years we have been blessed to have her. Her health has always just been too precarious. When she started receiving palliative care we knew it was time to make our memories. Memories we have now thanks to all of you and the wonderful foundation. We couldn’t have asked for more generosity, warmth and love. We have heard many good things about Believe In Tomorrow from several of our friends but the actual experience does not compare.

This week has been relaxing and our first experience as a family away from home and the hospital. A week of “first things” for Hannah - like putting her feet in the sand and riding the Ferris Wheel - YEAH.

Please express our thanks and love to all the volunteers and donors from the community who make this program possible. The Coast Guard ROCKS! What a thrill that was. We can’t wait to come back!

Blessings,
Dan, Shelle & Hannah

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July 15, 2008 by admin.

Dear Believe In Tomorrow Staff and Volunteers:

We can’t thank you enough for giving us this wonderful vacation. We have not had this much relaxing fun and loving time together, just the four of us in almost 2 years.

The house is beautiful and filled with great things to keep the kids - and adults - busy! We got to do a little of everything, both in the house and around the resort and lake.

We are so appreciative of the generosity of Wisp Resort. Max and Ann were very kind and attentive to us.

Olivia was finally able to make one of her wishes come true - to be able to ride a horse. It was so exciting for her and we thank Western Stables for their generosity as well.

We are sad to be leaving but look forward to coming back next year if possible. We hope all other families have as much fun as we did.

Thank you so much!!
Love,
Patty, Brian, Alexis & Olivia

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July 14, 2008 by admin.

Dear Wayne, Dawn & Staff,

Thank you once again for a wonderful week. We don’t want to go home but all good things must end, we guess.

This is truly a retreat from all the stress, troubles and everyday trials that we must go through. The ocean truly soothes us and we feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity.

Thank you for understanding and caring about our special circumstances and making special accommodations. I don’t think you will truly understand how grateful we are. We had such a fantastic time. It felt like a home away from home because we felt so comfortable.

May God bless each and every one of you who have made this vacation possible.

Love always

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July 11, 2008 by admin.

Dear Wayne, Dawn, & Every Volunteer,

In my world full of fighting; fighting everyday to keep Colton alive, fighting with insurance companies, scheduling over 75 hours of paid professionals in our house in one week, and everyone in our family feeling the fatigue, this, our CHBTS is the only true break we all get once a year. And we don’t have to fight for it!

Thank you so so much for such a fantastic program, home, and vacation. Ahhh! 1 week without worries and stress! You guys rock!

Lots of love and blessings,
Jeff, Christina, Andrew, Colton, Chad, Anna, and Grandma Linda

P.S. Beautiful quilt, thank you!!

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July 10, 2008 by admin.

To everyone that made this happen,

How great is this? Our 3 year old has been singing for 2 days! She sings “I’m so Happy.” She will never forget this experience… ever!!!

Thank you for letting us celebrate life together & be a family.

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July 9, 2008 by admin.

Dear Wayne and Wonderful Volunteers,

We can not thank you enough for this beautiful week of resting, relaxing and healing. Our 14 years with Claire have been the best years of our lives but there is no denying that it can be difficult, painful and exhausting at times for all of us.

Believe In Tomorrow always helps us heal, renews our spirits and recharges our batteries. The privacy away from the nurses, therapists etc - to just be a family is priceless.

Claire enjoyed all the mommy cuddle time, the beach wheelchair walks by the water, snuggles under umbrellas, book reading, dinner at La Hacienda, baking cookies and going to the boardwalk.

Mollie celebrated her 18th birthday and got to be the center of attention (for once!) She especially loved her dinner out at La Hacienda — what a nice owner!! He picked up our entire tab! She also enjoyed sleeping in, the beach, boardwalk and WIFI!!! Yippee!

Fiona enjoyed precious time with her mom and dad, toss the lacrosse ball, quiet one on one talks, dinner out, the boardwalk and tanning with her mom. We found special seashells and stones to remember this week.

Pat and I loved life slowing down, quieting down - being able to step back and see each other and our children. They are all priceless, precious, perfect human beings. We are all so blessed to have each other. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts, warm hugs and welcome. Thank you for taking such good care of us.

We love you all!
Lisa, Pat, Mollie (18), Claire (14) & Fiona (12)

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July 8, 2008 by admin.

Dear Believe In Tomorrow Staff and Volunteers,

It is our first time to stay in the Believe In Tomorrow House By The Sea retreat. What a retreat! It is a wonderful place and wonderful people.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this time.

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July 7, 2008 by admin.

Dear Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation,

Thank you for giving us 4 wonderful days at your House By The Sea. It provided many firsts for Daniel since his injury as well as for our family.

This was Daniel’s first overnight stay away from the hospital and therapy setting since last May. With your beach wheelchair he was able to go onto the beach again that he loves so much. With your indoor pool pass he was able to go swimming for the first time since last June. The Independence in mobility that your porch lift provided gave him an additional sense of Independence.

You have done an awesome job providing all the accommodations for a person with SCI - right down to the tub chair! This is much appreciated since we already have out hands full carrying all the medical supplies and equipment needed. We hope to come again!

Daniel, Mary Ann, Rachel, and Grandma too!

Thank you for letting me stay hear. I had a wonderfull time. Thank you for having a beach chair and the elvator for my brother. Hope I could come back some time.
Rachel

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July 3, 2008 by admin.

Thank you to everyone that has made our vacation awesome and memorable. We had such a great time. The Children’s House is so nice and comfortable — Our children love it! OC ROCKS!

Thanks again-
Michelle, Bonnie, Karina, Karly, Jordan and Nikeisha

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July 2, 2008 by admin.

The first day we got here, received our key and meet some volunteers, we never could imagine what our week held for us. The house was so much more than we could have asked for. Weather has been great during the day and cool at night with some major thunderstorms.

A highlight of Ian’s time here was going on the Coast Guard ship and while out at sea they allowed him to man and steer the ship from the captain’s chair.

Every person we have come in contact with have been such kind and wonderful people. This week will stay with all of us for a life time, even though we remain having to do the everyday things for Brade with his ventilator and surgeries. Just taking the time and letting the ocean breeze hit our faces makes it easier to keep doing it.

The word thank you seems so easy to say but its the only one that expresses how we feel. Wayne - you are an angel for all you do. Your smile brightens up a room. Thank you for that. We also had the pleasure to meet 2 other families that will be friends forever.

Dinner at La Hacienda was wonderful. The last day we went para-sailing - Brade, Ian, Steve and I. What a relaxing feeling 800 ft up in the air.

We hope to come again.
With much love.

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