Kathryn Hill and Family
Donation protected
I write this to all the dear friends and family of Aaron and Kathryn Hill.
In June of 2016, while 12 weeks pregnant with a little boy they named Isaac, after weeks of a persistent cough, back pain, and shortness of breath, Kathryn was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with an ALK mutation. Their world changed in that moment in so many ways. Two weeks later they lost baby Isaac. It was a devastating loss but was only the beginning of their cancer journey.
Kathryn had been a fit mother of four, a dancer and dance teacher, pilates trainer, and a homeschooling mom. Much of that is no longer possible but through all the challenges of the past few years, she has persevered and even thrived. Proof is in her four amazing kids! However, on December 17th, 2019, she lost the ability to walk. The cancer in her spine has caused paralysis and now the family is experiencing another significant change they need to overcome. This new reality they face was something that I couldn't ignore and felt the Holy Spirit urging to ask for assistance on the family's behalf.
Becoming a paraplegic brings on many daily challenges for Kathryn in and outside of her home, the needs can be overwhelming. In order to increase her quality of life, changes will need to be made. Kathryn is still homeschooling four kids and needs to actively navigate around the house, make meals and do the things that we so easily take for granted. These things require some thought, planning and money to make them more accessible to Kathryn.
A wheelchair accessible van is the top priority. A new van with a ramp conversion can cost $60-70,000. They have found a newer used one for $55,000 that would fit the whole family. What a blessing it would be to give Kathryn the same freedom to live like able-bodied people do: go grocery shopping, take the kids to their activities, go to church, or go on a date!
Kathryn also needs a better wheel chair very soon. Her current one is breaking down. Insurance should cover the cost of a basic chair but finding one that fits her perfectly may cost more than what insurance will pay.
Also, Kathryn currently sleeps in a hospital bed in the living room. Its a nice living room but not much privacy. She needs a bed that is adjustable but their bedroom is not large enough to fit two separate beds in it. Getting an adjustable bed that can fit two people would be ideal. But there is still the issue of getting in to the bedroom. The doorways in the house are standard 30" doorways, a little too narrow to easily drive a wheelchair through. Widening the doorways and getting a split queen size adjustable bed would allow her to sleep in her own bedroom once again.
Kathryn also has a desire to ride with Aaron as he runs. Spending time with Aaron and God's creation, rather than being in the house, would be such a blessing! She has a dream to run/ride and raise money for lung cancer research, which would require a specialized type of wheelchair like this: https://adaptivestar.com/product/axiom-adrenaline/
Aaron is an extraordinary husband and father who has taken an unpaid leave of absence from work since the beginning of the year. This has put a financial strain on the extended family. Aaron's leave of absence is scheduled to end at the end of March, however considering how Kathryn is currently doing it is hard to imagine going back to work within that time frame. Extending the leave may have to be considered and any donations received may go to help with regular monthly expenses.
Kathryn and Aaron have been amazing examples as a family leaning into the Lord and trusting in His plan. Anyone who knows Kathryn knows she is filled with the Holy Spirit undoubtedly! She amazes me how outwardly focused she always is regardless of her circumstances. She always wears a beautiful smile with her bright blue eyes shining so brightly and I so love her laugh! This family has endured so much we can all agree. My prayer is that the Lord takes whatever blessings come their way through this reach out for help and multiplies it by 100, even 1,000 fold.
I thank you in advance for considering a donation. I know so many of you have blessed them in multiple ways in which they are eternally thankful for. Let us overwhelm them with generosity!
Kendall Wood
Friend of the Family
Kathryn's CaringBridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathrynhill2
In June of 2016, while 12 weeks pregnant with a little boy they named Isaac, after weeks of a persistent cough, back pain, and shortness of breath, Kathryn was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with an ALK mutation. Their world changed in that moment in so many ways. Two weeks later they lost baby Isaac. It was a devastating loss but was only the beginning of their cancer journey.
Kathryn had been a fit mother of four, a dancer and dance teacher, pilates trainer, and a homeschooling mom. Much of that is no longer possible but through all the challenges of the past few years, she has persevered and even thrived. Proof is in her four amazing kids! However, on December 17th, 2019, she lost the ability to walk. The cancer in her spine has caused paralysis and now the family is experiencing another significant change they need to overcome. This new reality they face was something that I couldn't ignore and felt the Holy Spirit urging to ask for assistance on the family's behalf.
Becoming a paraplegic brings on many daily challenges for Kathryn in and outside of her home, the needs can be overwhelming. In order to increase her quality of life, changes will need to be made. Kathryn is still homeschooling four kids and needs to actively navigate around the house, make meals and do the things that we so easily take for granted. These things require some thought, planning and money to make them more accessible to Kathryn.
A wheelchair accessible van is the top priority. A new van with a ramp conversion can cost $60-70,000. They have found a newer used one for $55,000 that would fit the whole family. What a blessing it would be to give Kathryn the same freedom to live like able-bodied people do: go grocery shopping, take the kids to their activities, go to church, or go on a date!
Kathryn also needs a better wheel chair very soon. Her current one is breaking down. Insurance should cover the cost of a basic chair but finding one that fits her perfectly may cost more than what insurance will pay.
Also, Kathryn currently sleeps in a hospital bed in the living room. Its a nice living room but not much privacy. She needs a bed that is adjustable but their bedroom is not large enough to fit two separate beds in it. Getting an adjustable bed that can fit two people would be ideal. But there is still the issue of getting in to the bedroom. The doorways in the house are standard 30" doorways, a little too narrow to easily drive a wheelchair through. Widening the doorways and getting a split queen size adjustable bed would allow her to sleep in her own bedroom once again.
Kathryn also has a desire to ride with Aaron as he runs. Spending time with Aaron and God's creation, rather than being in the house, would be such a blessing! She has a dream to run/ride and raise money for lung cancer research, which would require a specialized type of wheelchair like this: https://adaptivestar.com/product/axiom-adrenaline/
Aaron is an extraordinary husband and father who has taken an unpaid leave of absence from work since the beginning of the year. This has put a financial strain on the extended family. Aaron's leave of absence is scheduled to end at the end of March, however considering how Kathryn is currently doing it is hard to imagine going back to work within that time frame. Extending the leave may have to be considered and any donations received may go to help with regular monthly expenses.
Kathryn and Aaron have been amazing examples as a family leaning into the Lord and trusting in His plan. Anyone who knows Kathryn knows she is filled with the Holy Spirit undoubtedly! She amazes me how outwardly focused she always is regardless of her circumstances. She always wears a beautiful smile with her bright blue eyes shining so brightly and I so love her laugh! This family has endured so much we can all agree. My prayer is that the Lord takes whatever blessings come their way through this reach out for help and multiplies it by 100, even 1,000 fold.
I thank you in advance for considering a donation. I know so many of you have blessed them in multiple ways in which they are eternally thankful for. Let us overwhelm them with generosity!
Kendall Wood
Friend of the Family
Kathryn's CaringBridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathrynhill2
Organizer and beneficiary
Kendall Wood
Organizer
Lake Elmo, MN
Aaron Hill
Beneficiary