JACOB’S FUND :: TONY UPDATE, part 1

Tony and Pumpkin

Good hearts and good heads 
Sharing the many ways children’s lives have improved because of your support is our gift of thanks to YOU. Our recent visit to McKenna Farms allowed us to follow up with Jacob’s Fund Kids, hear about their journeys, celebrate their successes and offer additional support as necessary. 

During that trip, our team was able to visit with Tony, a Jacob’s Fund scholarship recipient. Diagnosed with autism at an early age, Tony’s journey has been a hard one and life continues to throw challenges in his path.

For most children, their mother is the foundation of their world. For Tony, his mom, Carol, was all that and more: she was his caretaker and complete support system. After only two years of therapy at the Farm, Tony’s mother was given a diagnosis of esophageal cancer, inoperable and terminal.

The underpinnings of Tony’s world collapsed. The family’s resources and energy centered on his mother's health and care. Without a stable home life and unable to continue his therapy sessions, Tony began to withdraw; his attitude and behavior began slipping. 

That’s when Jacob’s Fund stepped in. Thanks to your help, we were able to provide continuous weekly therapeutic riding, and Tony went on to qualify for the 2011 Equestrian Special Olympics. In her last weeks, Carol was able to watch her son compete and capture medals, cheering for each victory!

Shortly thereafter, Tony’s world turned upside down. Since his mother’s passing, he has become homebound, spending most of his time on the computer or just listening to music. His family is often absent and opportunities for outings are practically nonexistent as are social interactions. Thankfully, a weekend caregiver drives him to the Farm once a week for his one-hour sessions, the only consistent thing in his life. 

Tony recently completed a work adjustment program offered by the state of Georgia and successfully worked at Goodwill, TJ Maxx and other short-term jobs, with transportation provided by the state. Back at home, and without transportation, Tony is unable to hold a job, something he desperately wants and needs. He is currently on a waiting list for life-skills classes as well as for placement in a group home.  

While his body grows thinner and thinner, his hope and optimism is heartbreakingly beautiful. Tony may never be able to live independently. But his urge to take charge of as much of his life as he possibly can inspires us to find ways to help him live his life in the fullest possible way.

We know The Red Thread Promise community is full of good hearts and good heads. As you consider Tony’s story, we are open to fresh ideas for how to further help this wonderful young man, so full of hope and potential! If you or someone you know has experience working with adults with autism, we’d like to hear from you. Responses can be sent to ghfisher@ameritech.net.

ATW :: Nicaragua / Juan update

Juan on the day he received his new ATW

Remember Juan in Nicaragua? Juan received one of our All Terrain Wheelchairs (ATW) in late 2011. Lucy, our contact from Accion Esperanza / Partnership for Hope (Ashland, OR), recently visited Juan in his community of El Lagartillo and shared these brief updates:

• Work is underway to make the front entrance to Juan's house wheelchair accessible
• Juan received the replacement parts for his ATW (including new tubes and tools)
• He was pleased to note that the replacement tires for his ATW are a standard size bicycle tire that is locally available

"It is far superior to any chair I have ever been in. 

It is fast and stable and looks forward to using it daily."

~ Juan

We will continue to update you on Juan as information becomes available. Thank you to our donors for their prayers and financial support of our programs. Together we are indeed making a difference.

JACOB'S FUND :: McKenna Farms part 4

Lauren, a gold medalist in the 2012 Equestrian Special Olympics 

Amidst the weeds, dirt and stain, we were able to observe children receiving hippotherapy as well as those doing therapeutic riding in the outdoor arena. Team members had the opportunity to visit with patients and their families as they arrived, listening to their stories of how this unique therapy has changed the life of their child or grandchild. Their accounts of children learning to balance, to walk, to say words, to form sentences, and achieve a multitude of accomplishments that they never dreamed they were capable of warmed our hearts. These stories affirmed the importance of the scholarships Jacob's Fund provides so that children can receive this life-changing treatment even if their family is undergoing financial hardship.

A young rider receiving hippotherapy

Parents and grandparents thanked our team for what we were doing on behalf of the children, whether they were the recipients of a Jacob's Fund scholarship or not. Team members received hugs and blessings from complete strangers who appreciated us and our work. Riders thanked us for posting their photos and stories on our blog. It was humbling to say the least.

The outdoor arena, where the "magic" happens

We left inspired by those we met at the Farm, renewed in our dedication to provide scholarships so every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. If you would like to contribute to Jacob's Fund, checks can be mailed to the address at top right or use our handy PayPal button in the right side-bar. Thank you for your continued support of children in the United States.

Tony during his therapeutic riding

JACOB'S FUND :: McKenna Farms part 3

Our teenage volunteers, Hana, Jaden and Elyse, learned some basic horse care from Jessie and some of the other farm hands. The kids helped in the barn, feeding and watering the horses, cleaning out the stalls, as well as bringing the horses in from the fields in the evening. 

                            Elyse fastening a cover to keep the flies off the horse's face

Getting a little taste of barn life

Jessie showing Hana "the ropes"

Preparing to take the horses in

A bonding moment

JACOB'S FUND :: Photo of the day

Barb, Wilma, Alice, Jaden and Hana having some fun on the Gator!

JACOB'S FUND :: McKenna Farms part 2

Getting to work!

Following a hearty breakfast provided by McKenna Farm board members and volunteers, the group set out to work. On the agenda for the next 2 days was a variety of groundwork, mainly in the gardens surrounding the therapy building and all along the Jacob Beachy Sensory Trail. 

Sign at the beginning of the trail

Jaden learning to drive the Gator, hauling supplies for the team

Wilma and Hana clearing the area

Wilma and Jaden filling the umpteenth wheelbarrow of brush

Hana clearing the base of the beautiful Crepe Myrtles

The completed beautification job 

In addition to gardening, the youngest team members set to staining new fences and gates around some of the pastures. 

Elyse, Jacob's big sister, came in from Atlanta to help

Jaden staining the new posts around the pasture gate

Hana and Elyse, proud of the finished product

JACOB'S FUND :: McKenna Farms part 1

Jessie, Director of McKenna Farms, and Sonya, Vice President of The Red Thread Promise

It was a whirlwind weekend at McKenna Farms for The Red Thread and a group of volunteers. An ambitious team of 7—all eager to get their hands dirty—arrived at the Farm on Thursday evening. After the LONG drive from Cincinnati and Columbus Ohio, they were each warmly greeted by Jessie Moore, Director of McKenna Farms. The group gratefully climbed the stairs leading to the barn loft where they would bunk together for the next 3 nights. 

The dormitory for both 4-legged and 2-legged friends!

After a good night's sleep, a visit to the downstairs residents of the barn was in order. What a lovely sight the horses were. Wish we could remember all of their names but there were just too many. They were as curious about us as we were about them.

Hana making friends with Pocket

Tiger, the Farm's 20+ lb. mouser, even came to greet us. We're not sure, but we think he's even bigger than when we saw him last year!

Jaden greeting the extra fluffy farm cat, Tiger