Getty Owl Foundation

Ms. Strong Goes to Washington

From Mark:

Ms. Gwendolyn Strong is quite the inspiration! You see, Ms. G is not only defying the odds each day, but she just finished her first day of Kindergarten at Washington Elementary!

Gwendolyn has SMA Type 1, just like Getty. She was born in October 2007, and hospitalized by December. There she stayed for her first Christmas, and went home soon after New Years.

Infant botulism, they thought. It wasn’t until about 4 months later, Gwendolyn’s doctors figured it out and her parents first heard those three cursed words: Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Suddenly, infant botulism sounded like a walk in the park.

Over time, Gwendolyn became full-time vent dependent (bipap) and has been in and out of the PICU. However, in that time, she has done many wonderful things, like travel cross-country, drive a power chair, visit Disneyland, and accompany her family on the beach. In 2009, she also inspired her parents, Bill and Victoria Strong, to launch sister SMA organization, Gwendolyn Strong Foundation.

Bill and Victoria were one of the first SMA families we contacted when Getty was diagnosed in July 2010. They gladly gave us input on launching Getty Owl Foundation in January 2011. Their personal and professional input was and has been invaluable.

Now, despite SMA, its complications, its hardships, the ever-present fear of potential illness, and the fact that Gwendolyn was admitted to the PICU for an emergency blood transfusion less than two weeks ago, Ms. G just finished her first day of Kindergarten. I know parents of healthy kids can be nervous on the first day of Kindergarten, so I can only imagine the knots in her parents’ stomachs.

She met new friends, listened to stories, and got to hang her backpack on a hook. I’m sure that sounds like normal Kindergarten stuff to a lot of people, but to an SMA family . . . IT’S HUGE!

All too many SMA families can only dream of their child doing something as simple as hanging a backpack on a hook in Kindergarten. There’s a little SMA angel, named Amanda, who earned her wings at age 21 months who always comes to mind first when I think of these things.

We are so happy for Gwendolyn, Bill, and Victoria. “It was a really emotional day for all of us. It went great and we’re off to a really good start with the makings of hopefully a wonderful year for G,” Bill said.

SMA comes with a lot of pain, turmoil, frustration, despair, and exhaustion, but triumphs like these help keep us going. Congratulations!

Victoria, Bill, and Gwendolyn Strong

Everyone Deserves A Second Chance

From Kate:

Quickly wanted to thank those that have purchased artwork. This will be the last post about the auction before the wrap up  post sometime next week. There are three pieces that did not find homes, so I wanted to give them one more chance to be bid on.

Auction Item #1

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Click HERE to Bid!

Auction Item #2

Rustic Country

Click HERE to Bid!

Auction Items #3

Say Yes to the Dress!

Click HERE to Bid!

Auction Item #4

Windmill

Click HERE to Bid!

SMA Art Auction Day #6

From Kate:

Okay here we go.We have three for today and then Monday will be our Second Chance Auction for all the pieces that need to find just the right home. I hope you enjoy these pieces. Day #4 and Day #5 are still up for auction, go check them out as well.

Auction Item #25

Beach

Click HERE to Bid!

Art Auction #26

Elise

Click HERE to Bid!

Art Auction Item #27

Friends

Click HERE to Bid!

We Interrupt This Broadcast…….

From Kate:

I decided to take a day break from our art auction. Getty and I had a wonderful morning with a dear friend, Aunt Patti and now we are off to nap and snuggle.

There is still time to look at and bid from Day #4 & Day #5! I hope you can take a minute to check them out.

Some of the art pieces did not sell on their particular day, so I think I will have one day called, “Second Chance Day”. Since we all deserve a second chance, I want to devote one day for all those great art pieces that just couldn’t find the right owner. So tomorrow will be the remaining pieces that have not been seen before as well as the second chance pieces.

Just like last year, this has been a lot of fun. I love wrapping up the artwork and sending them around the United States to people I do and don’t even know. SMA awareness is spread, money is raised for the Gene Therapy Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the buyer has a really cool piece of artwork. Win, win all the way around.  Thanks to all the people that have bought an item so far. We appreciate it.

The only other event I wanted to plug quickly before I dive into Getty’s bed to snuggle her is the River Cats Game night which is this Saturday night. Click on this link if you are interested in joining us. A small portion of the ticket sales go to Getty Owl Foundation, but you need to go through our link so we can get credit for your purchase.

Thanks again.

SMA Art Auction Day #5 “Mystery PIcture Day”

From Kate:

Day #5 is here. If you would like to see Day #4, there are still items up for sale over there for a few more hours. Thanks for stopping by every day to check out the incredible artwork. I would like to thank those that have already purchased their artwork. For most, they are all bubble wrapped and boxed up and they are currently in transit. 🙂

So today is a special day! Today is called Mystery Picture Day! You’ll need to click on each link to see the mystery items. 🙂

Okay so here we go!

Auction Item #21

Flight of Beauty

Click HERE to Bid!

Auction Item #22

Celebration

Click HERE to Bid!

Auction Item #23

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Click HERE to Bid!

Auction Item #24

Say Yes to the Dress

Click HERE to Bid!