Rio's Legacy
Donation protected
Rio’s Journey (Story)
My son’s journey is one of all heart…
Rio James Fowler first went to hospital on the 3rd November 2017 due to having Gastro. Unfortunately, Rio never recovered and was omitted to The Sydney Children’s Hospital Australia on the 8th November 2017.
Rio’s gastro symptoms accelerated an underlying condition that most Paediatric Doctors informed us that they had never seen before…leading us to believe that what Rio was diagnosed with was so rare, he potentially was the first / only child in the world to have it.
Rio was diagnosed with an Arterial Vasculopathy disease / condition. Rio’s arteries struggle to supply enough blood to all his major organs and vessels around his body and we were told that his condition would progress and limit his life.
During his time in hospital Rio underwent 4 major surgeries, including 2 amputations (high thigh and hindquarter amputation), kidney (renal) failure, heart impairment, and consistently high blood pressure levels (peaking at 225 systolic over 150 diastolic) due to his arterial malformations. Though his condition was diagnosed as terminal, Rio continued to inspired us all with his smile, fight and will to never give up.
From Christmas 2017 onwards, Rio’s health continued to deteriorate and after being transferred to The Bear Cottage, Manly NSW Australia, which is an End of Life / Respite hospice for Children, Rio’s courageous and brave fight came to end on the 15th January 2018. He was a beautiful little boy who will be forever loved and missed by his family.
Rest in Peace my dear boy Rio James Fowler (21/07/2016 – 15/01/2018)
Creating Rio’s Legacy (Charity)
In light of Rio's Journey, Rio's Legacy has been designed in efforts to start a charity in his honour. Psalm 139: 13 - 16 speaks of how the Lord creates individuals uniquely to fulfil their own destiny.
With this as a beautiful reminder, the charity “Rio” will strive to hold true this scripture and help those most in need…because you were fearfully and wonderfully made.
Rio’s legacy / vision will be to assist and provide practical care, improved facilities’ and support to and for children and their families who have been diagnosed with a life limited disease.
There will be 3 main areas (as a starting point) that money raised will be used in order to maintain the charity's vision and see Rio’s legacy help those most in need:
1. Upgrade / Improve the ICU Hostel rooms for parents with children in the intensive care unit at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick NSW Australia ($150,000). The ICU become Rio’s second home with over 42 days spent in hospital, 32 of them were in ICU. The hostel rooms were great for us to use in order to be close when needed for Rio…
2. Support the vision and wonderful work of The Bear Cottage and its great team in Manly NSW Australia ($250,000). This great place provided us with and many other families (since 2001) support, respite and end of life care for children with life limiting illnesses. In the toughest of times it is a truly remarkable place.
3. Plan, develop and build "Rio’s Lodge". Rio’s Lodge will be designed to assist and support families and their children who have been diagnosed with rare conditions which are life limiting. In efforts to support those affected during the most difficult time, Rio’s Lodge will be used to showcase the best of the best to those in need ($1 Million as a start)
My family and I cannot thank everyone for all the tremendous love, support, prayers and generosity we have been showered with. The love unconditionally displayed for Rio is truly unbelievable and this in itself was a reflection of the impact our beautiful boy has had on so many hearts. To everyone who has given of themselves, their time, their finances, we appreciate you, we love you and we thank you. Rio would be so proud!
As a result, Rio’s Legacy and charity has been put together due to the love and affection he exemplified and showed his world and received in return, if only for a short period of time. We would be so lucky if through Rio’s journey we were able to help those in need and offer a gift of hope…because like Rio everyone child is so fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thank you for your donations and support.
My son’s journey is one of all heart…
Rio James Fowler first went to hospital on the 3rd November 2017 due to having Gastro. Unfortunately, Rio never recovered and was omitted to The Sydney Children’s Hospital Australia on the 8th November 2017.
Rio’s gastro symptoms accelerated an underlying condition that most Paediatric Doctors informed us that they had never seen before…leading us to believe that what Rio was diagnosed with was so rare, he potentially was the first / only child in the world to have it.
Rio was diagnosed with an Arterial Vasculopathy disease / condition. Rio’s arteries struggle to supply enough blood to all his major organs and vessels around his body and we were told that his condition would progress and limit his life.
During his time in hospital Rio underwent 4 major surgeries, including 2 amputations (high thigh and hindquarter amputation), kidney (renal) failure, heart impairment, and consistently high blood pressure levels (peaking at 225 systolic over 150 diastolic) due to his arterial malformations. Though his condition was diagnosed as terminal, Rio continued to inspired us all with his smile, fight and will to never give up.
From Christmas 2017 onwards, Rio’s health continued to deteriorate and after being transferred to The Bear Cottage, Manly NSW Australia, which is an End of Life / Respite hospice for Children, Rio’s courageous and brave fight came to end on the 15th January 2018. He was a beautiful little boy who will be forever loved and missed by his family.
Rest in Peace my dear boy Rio James Fowler (21/07/2016 – 15/01/2018)
Creating Rio’s Legacy (Charity)
In light of Rio's Journey, Rio's Legacy has been designed in efforts to start a charity in his honour. Psalm 139: 13 - 16 speaks of how the Lord creates individuals uniquely to fulfil their own destiny.
With this as a beautiful reminder, the charity “Rio” will strive to hold true this scripture and help those most in need…because you were fearfully and wonderfully made.
Rio’s legacy / vision will be to assist and provide practical care, improved facilities’ and support to and for children and their families who have been diagnosed with a life limited disease.
There will be 3 main areas (as a starting point) that money raised will be used in order to maintain the charity's vision and see Rio’s legacy help those most in need:
1. Upgrade / Improve the ICU Hostel rooms for parents with children in the intensive care unit at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick NSW Australia ($150,000). The ICU become Rio’s second home with over 42 days spent in hospital, 32 of them were in ICU. The hostel rooms were great for us to use in order to be close when needed for Rio…
2. Support the vision and wonderful work of The Bear Cottage and its great team in Manly NSW Australia ($250,000). This great place provided us with and many other families (since 2001) support, respite and end of life care for children with life limiting illnesses. In the toughest of times it is a truly remarkable place.
3. Plan, develop and build "Rio’s Lodge". Rio’s Lodge will be designed to assist and support families and their children who have been diagnosed with rare conditions which are life limiting. In efforts to support those affected during the most difficult time, Rio’s Lodge will be used to showcase the best of the best to those in need ($1 Million as a start)
My family and I cannot thank everyone for all the tremendous love, support, prayers and generosity we have been showered with. The love unconditionally displayed for Rio is truly unbelievable and this in itself was a reflection of the impact our beautiful boy has had on so many hearts. To everyone who has given of themselves, their time, their finances, we appreciate you, we love you and we thank you. Rio would be so proud!
As a result, Rio’s Legacy and charity has been put together due to the love and affection he exemplified and showed his world and received in return, if only for a short period of time. We would be so lucky if through Rio’s journey we were able to help those in need and offer a gift of hope…because like Rio everyone child is so fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thank you for your donations and support.
Organizer
Ryan Fowler
Organizer
Bellevue Hill, NSW