I want to share with you some photos and stories from my most recent appearance. On Friday night, I had the opportunity to join Kim Brennan (Miss Heartland) and volunteer at a wonderful event at the Starlight Ballroom in Wahoo, NE. The event was held as a fundraiser for a very special little girl, Avery.
Her Story:
"On April 12, 2011, the Vasa Family joyously celebrated the birth of their daughter Avery Noelle. Avery’s parents, Jake and Tiffany (Warholoski) and brother Peyton (4 years old) were thrilled to finally hold their baby girl!
Shortly after her birth the doctors shared heartbreaking news that Avery could not hear. Avery attends appointments with specialists at Boystown Research Hospital as well as Children’s hospital where they take a mold of her ear to produce hearing aids. What a miracle moment when they placed the first hearing aid in Avery’s ear and she made a noise and smiled. Avery also attends specialty appointments in Omaha on a weekly basis. A portion of all appointments and necessities, such as ear molds, are not covered by insurance.
Avery will receive bilateral cochlear implants in April 2012, which is approximately $100,000 for each ear. At this time, insurance will not cover this expense.
On September 14, 2011, the Vasa’s learned that Avery has macular scarring on her left eye with a good possibility that this will result in blindness in her left eye.
We are reaching out to our friends, family and others who may not even know the Vasa’s to help us soften the financial burden the Vasa’s have encountered and will continue to struggle with as Avery meets with doctor’s and has procedures to improve her quality of life.
We hope you will join us at this event and share your love and support with the Vasa Family."
Shortly after her birth the doctors shared heartbreaking news that Avery could not hear. Avery attends appointments with specialists at Boystown Research Hospital as well as Children’s hospital where they take a mold of her ear to produce hearing aids. What a miracle moment when they placed the first hearing aid in Avery’s ear and she made a noise and smiled. Avery also attends specialty appointments in Omaha on a weekly basis. A portion of all appointments and necessities, such as ear molds, are not covered by insurance.
Avery will receive bilateral cochlear implants in April 2012, which is approximately $100,000 for each ear. At this time, insurance will not cover this expense.
On September 14, 2011, the Vasa’s learned that Avery has macular scarring on her left eye with a good possibility that this will result in blindness in her left eye.
We are reaching out to our friends, family and others who may not even know the Vasa’s to help us soften the financial burden the Vasa’s have encountered and will continue to struggle with as Avery meets with doctor’s and has procedures to improve her quality of life.
We hope you will join us at this event and share your love and support with the Vasa Family."
Kim and I were asked to come volunteer at the event. We greeted people as they arrived, cleaned off empty plates, trays, and cups when people were finished with their meals, got up on stage to dance with Elvis, and had time to talk to the family about Avery and her future. It was a wonderful experience for both Kim and I.
Upon entering the event, there was a set-up that showed both a picture of Avery, and an explanation of the surgery she is going to have done.
Avery was such a cute little girl, I can't wait until she can hear!
Kim and I with Tiffany, Avery's mom.
Both the live and silent auction were filled with wonderful prizes! It is so great to see so many generous auction donors for an event like this!
Kim and I got to meet The King! The event had an Elvis impersonator who ended up pulling us up on stage to dance with him! It was so much fun!
There were also clowns at the event making really fun balloon animals (among other things) for the kids, so we stopped for a picture! (Kim and I got turtles!)
The event was a blast for everyone who attended, which was a lot of people! I was so happy to see the support from Avery's family, friends, and those who attended who may not even know Avery or the family. I look forward to hearing how Avery's surgery goes and hopefully meeting her again someday.
Until next time,
Rachel
Miss Lincoln
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