Inspiration Through Art (Littlest Heroes Project)

Send a Valentine and connect with a hero

felicia — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:05:38 +0000

Back by popular demand! Inspiration Through Art is holding it’s 2nd Annual Valentine card drive! Are you looking to spread a little extra love this Valentine’s Day to those who really need it?

On a holiday full of material giving sometimes the simplicity of a handmade card is overlooked. While many classrooms across the nation are celebrating with candy and games, many of our heroes are receiving treatment in the hospital or are unable to attend these special parties. Help us send them a special Valentine envelop this year, to brighten their days and remind them that they are loved!

In 2012 we collected a total of 3,287 cards that were collected across 42 states! Can we collect even more and send even more love to these special children? Helps us bring hope and healing this Valentines day!

How to get involved:

Sending a valentine card to a hero is easy:

1. Gather your materials! You will need paper or cards, markers, colored pencils, stickers, foam shapes, glitter, etc!

2. Design your cards! Be sure to include some hopefully messages such as “Thinking of you” or “Don’t give up!” Let the recipient know you truly care!

3. Sign your name! (and kids include your age!) It’s fun for your recipient to know a little bit about you!

4. Want to connect with your hero? With your parents permission include your families email address or home address inside your card! That way your hero can connect with you directly!

5. Send your card to us by February 9th to ensure your card gets to one of our heroes by the 14th!

6. See your state get a heart! We hope to get cards from all across the USA from each and every state! Help us reach our goal!

Get together with your roommate, girl scout group, classroom, youth group, family, etc and get creative!

Not artistic or looking to help in another way? We need US stamps to help get these special envelops out! Last year we collected over 300 stamps. We almost covered the entire cost of sending them but fell a little short, please help by sending us stamps to help with delivery!

Download and print the original flyer:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8394795603_8cd7f7f773_o.jpg

Questions or photos of your group working can be sent to info@inspirationthroughart.org!

Amazing Zeke

felicia — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:38:49 +0000

This is the story of how Zeke became my life. Feb 22, 2011 I found out I was 22 weeks pregnant. Two weeks later I found out I was having a boy! I was so excited! I worked up until three days before I delivered. I was contracting at a Fourth of July party and the next day I knew it was time. He was full term. I had to go in for an emergency C-section. I then found out that he had some issues. I first noticed his skin tags around his jaw and ear. The doctors then told me he was missing his entire right ear. Then I saw his jaw was extremely underdeveloped. This is called Goldenhar. I was sad, mad, and confused. I didn’t know what I had done to make this happen. I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to handle this and that baby deserved a mom that was perfect. It wasn’t long before I knew I was meant to be his “perfect” mom. He had several tests. We learned that his left “normal” ear had normal hearing and just mild loss on his right. It was a miracle. He had no ear! He can’t feed orally but he wants to. His chin is too small and it tires him out to try. He has a long road ahead of him and there’s no doubt that he will be amazing. We met with a plastic surgeon and he decided that jaw surgery is the way to go. Through it all he is happy and strong, and such an inspiration!

Sweet Kendall

felicia — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 06:45:22 +0000

Kendall was born a full term baby via repeat c-section with no known issues. Upon her birth, she was found to have a tracheoesophageal(TE) fistula. Upon her being taken into the nursery, she was also found to have an imperforated anus (IA). While waiting to be transported to Shands at UF, she apparently had a blue spell and a murmor was found. Upon arrival at Shands, Kendall was found to have Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia. Kendall underwent surgery to repair her TE fistula and her IA at 5 days old. She had open heart surgery at 26 days old. She will have many heart procedures to endure throughout her life. They have placed a conduit that will not grow with her as well as the pumlonary valve will have to be replaced. Prior to her leaving the hopsital, it was! also noted that she has an L4 anomaly as well as a duplicated collecting system in her right kidney with stage 2 kidney reflux. Kendall is a tremendous joy to everyone who knows her. She has touched more lives in her few months of being here on earth, than some people do in a lifetime. She is a trooper. She has had a long road up to now and has a long road ahead of her. She is strong, and I am so proud to call her my daughter. ( Photo by Beth Mancuso (Manic Mother Photography)

Warrior Cael

felicia — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 05:55:42 +0000

Our little warrior Cael was diagnosed with a broken heart at a 20 weeks during routine ultrasound. We found out that Cael had congenital heart disease (various problems with his heart, but ultimately a rare disease called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome). Despite the severity of the many defects, Cael outlived the doctors’ expectations and continued to fight in his mommy’s belly! He was born on March 31, 2012. Immediately after birth he underwent his first of many heart procedures. At five days of age, he had his first of at least three open heart surgeries. Cael’s surgery went very well, but his heart was having a difficult time adapting to its new anatomy shortly after surgery. He went into cardiac arrest and required life support to aid his troubled heart. After weeks ! of riding the roller coaster of ups and downs, Cael was able to recover from the procedure and come home before his next surgery. He is now 6 weeks old and is working hard to learn how to eat and gain weight before his next surgery (around 3-4 months of age). Our heart hero certainly steals a piece of our hearts as we fight to keep his beating. (Photos by Rebecca McQuown- RJMcQuown Photography)