Wheelchair Accessible Van for Kate
Donation protected
This page has been created with the permission of Kate's parents, Stephen and Kandra.
Kaitlin Layne is 9 years old and has a smile that can light up a room, often accompanied by a joyful laugh that could change the hardest heart. Kate is the oldest daughter of Stephen and Kandra and big sister to Layla and Nora. Anyone close to them knows that Kate and her sisters are truly "the apple of their eyes" (Psalm 17:8) and the joy of their hearts.
Kate's God-given life is filled with incredible purpose. To quote her momma, she is "light, love and joy." From the age of 13 months, Kate's journey has been filled with overwhelming medical diagnoses and challenges that greatly affect her daily life. Kate was initially diagnosed as an infant with a rare form of epilepsy, which proved to be catastrophic to development.
Kate currently functions at a 6-month-old level for most things and is unable to assist with any of her self-care needs. She has been on 21 different seizure medications and has been hospitalized numerous times for various treatments and procedures. In 2013, Kate had major brain surgery, which removed a portion of her brain in an attempt to stop seizures. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful, and led to left sided paralysis and her inability to walk. Kate continues to have 15-20 seizures per day and also has cerebral palsy, autism, and deals with complicated bladder and kidney issues. As Kate grows, it is getting more difficult to lift her in and out of their van. Kandra is her primary caregiver, and she herself has suffered for years with excruciating back issues which regularly incapacitate her. Obviously, this makes caring for Kate much more challenging as time goes on.
Kate's life verse, which her parents victoriously continue to claim as they watch God's faithfulness and loving hand upon their daughter each and every day is, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." (Psalm 91:4) Watching Stephen and Kandra parent Kate has taught me a lot about choosing joy and trusting the Lord amidst constant and sometimes exhausting challenges. Moment by moment, they CHOOSE to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10) However, it has become apparent to those close to the family that a medical mobility van is a necessity. Stephen and Kandra have agreed to allow friends to set up this Go Fund Me page. Because of this, it is the desire of those who love this precious family to use any Go Fund Me donations to bless them with a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Kate. This would provide great relief in caring for her needs long-term. Will you prayerfully join us in imparting this gift, which will truly be from the Father above? (James 1:17) Thank you and God bless you!
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." (Acts 2:44-45)
Kandra writes a blog about Kate and their family. You can access that blog here:
http://blessedandadored.blogspot.com
#teamkate
Kaitlin Layne is 9 years old and has a smile that can light up a room, often accompanied by a joyful laugh that could change the hardest heart. Kate is the oldest daughter of Stephen and Kandra and big sister to Layla and Nora. Anyone close to them knows that Kate and her sisters are truly "the apple of their eyes" (Psalm 17:8) and the joy of their hearts.
Kate's God-given life is filled with incredible purpose. To quote her momma, she is "light, love and joy." From the age of 13 months, Kate's journey has been filled with overwhelming medical diagnoses and challenges that greatly affect her daily life. Kate was initially diagnosed as an infant with a rare form of epilepsy, which proved to be catastrophic to development.
Kate currently functions at a 6-month-old level for most things and is unable to assist with any of her self-care needs. She has been on 21 different seizure medications and has been hospitalized numerous times for various treatments and procedures. In 2013, Kate had major brain surgery, which removed a portion of her brain in an attempt to stop seizures. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful, and led to left sided paralysis and her inability to walk. Kate continues to have 15-20 seizures per day and also has cerebral palsy, autism, and deals with complicated bladder and kidney issues. As Kate grows, it is getting more difficult to lift her in and out of their van. Kandra is her primary caregiver, and she herself has suffered for years with excruciating back issues which regularly incapacitate her. Obviously, this makes caring for Kate much more challenging as time goes on.
Kate's life verse, which her parents victoriously continue to claim as they watch God's faithfulness and loving hand upon their daughter each and every day is, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." (Psalm 91:4) Watching Stephen and Kandra parent Kate has taught me a lot about choosing joy and trusting the Lord amidst constant and sometimes exhausting challenges. Moment by moment, they CHOOSE to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10) However, it has become apparent to those close to the family that a medical mobility van is a necessity. Stephen and Kandra have agreed to allow friends to set up this Go Fund Me page. Because of this, it is the desire of those who love this precious family to use any Go Fund Me donations to bless them with a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Kate. This would provide great relief in caring for her needs long-term. Will you prayerfully join us in imparting this gift, which will truly be from the Father above? (James 1:17) Thank you and God bless you!
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." (Acts 2:44-45)
Kandra writes a blog about Kate and their family. You can access that blog here:
http://blessedandadored.blogspot.com
#teamkate
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa JOHNSON
Organizer
Murfreesboro, TN
Kandra Benton
Beneficiary
