New Jersey Institute for Disabilities

A family who is very dear to my heart, the O’Leary’s, suffered great losses in one week.  They lost Joe O’Leary, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.  They lost Anna the same day as Joe—Mother, Aunt, sister, cousin and friend.  Later in the same week, they lost precious Becky, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, beloved to all.  It was and is an extremely difficult time for all involved.  We are all still so raw and healing.

I must elaborate on how special Becky was, she was 29 and had been diagnosed with Rett’s syndrome as a baby.  If you don’t know what that entails, please see link below.

Danny and Patty, Beckys parents, of course treated her with the utmost care, she leaves them behind and her three sisters, one of whom  was her twin.  I urge you to find out more about Rett’s syndrome.  Many of us may feel like we are “lucky” to have children that have not had to live with this type of disability.  Danny and Patty took this all in stride and along with the rest of her family, gave her unconditional love, care and attention.  I said that Becky was an Angel on earth, Danny and Patty put it best, she did not get her wings the day she left us, but she got her legs, according to her most favorite movie that she watched every single day of her 29 years, The Little Mermaid.  This Disney Princess that was Becky will  be missed by all whom she touched, she certainly touched my heart and I’m blessed that I got to watch The Little Mermaid with her and sing the songs, see her beautiful smile...

Danny and Patty told me about an extremely special place that helped them with Becky for 18 years of her life, 18 years, that’s a long time.  I really felt strongly to pay tribute to Becky in the best way possible.  Danny and Patty thought it would be best that we honor Lakeview School, In Edison NJ ( https://www.njid.org) where Becky attended from age 3 to age 21.

I had no idea about this extremely incredible facility.  They picked Becky up every day, she had academic classes, she had music classes, she had swimming classes, she had caring individuals who helped her to navigate their school setting to suit her needs.  A huge and extremely important component to Becky’s care was the occupational and speech therapy that they provided.  A truly stellar organization.  Danny and Patty are forever grateful to the school.

In Becky’s memory, I wanted to start a GoFundMe page in order to donate to the school in a tangible way, in Becky’s name since this facility was instrumental in her well being for 18 years.  Please watch the video about the school and what they do, and consider giving towards a gift to the school in the name of the most beautiful and happiest mermaid, Rebecca O’Leary.

Thank you.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit New Jersey Institute for Disabilities, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about New Jersey Institute for Disabilities: The New Jersey Institute for Disabilities, formerly Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County is dedicated to the provision of comprehensive, superior, multifaceted programs of service to individuals with developmental and related disabilities and their families regardless of race, gender, creed, economic status or age.

https://www.brunswickmemorialhome.com/obituary/496606/Rebecca-OLeary/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pS1wLBzsZiHnisH6GQAldG7z19LzB5P6/view?usp=drivesdk

https://www.rettsyndrome.org/