Family in the Spotlight
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Raise money for Ashleys Hopejust by searching the web and shopping online!
Each week we are getting more applications and need your HELP to assist these families in
these rough times....

Wish List for the Families:
                                              - gas gift certificates
                                              - grocery gift certificates
                                              - parking vouchers to Rainbow Babies and Cleveland Clinic
    
Interested in helping us out...call Ashley's Hope at 216-661-6585 or email
ashleyshope@sbcglobal.net or simply mail a donation to:
                                                                         Ashley's Hope
                                                                        P.O Box 34736
                                                                        Parma, OH 44134
Our Family in the Spotlight - The Leverette Family
Adopted by Nurenberg Paris for the Christmas Holiday 2009

Brian, Laurie, Jacquis, Raven, London and Ocean Leverette.  They live in Bedford in a small, but
nicely maintained and decorated bungalow.  Brian, the dad, is a graphic designer and
photographer.  Laurie is now a stay at home mom caring for her daughter, Raven, supporting
her as she adjusts to life as a visually impaired twelve year old girl, as well as caring for her
newborn daughter, Ocean.   At the holiday time, the youngest child, Ocean was only 3 weeks old
and it reminds me on how fragile life is and how quickly life can change.   

Raven, who is 12 had just started having severe headaches this past year, which they initially
suspected were migraine headaches and complained about blurry vision from time to time.  Her
mother scheduled an appointment with an opthamologist.  Two weeks later they were admitted
directly from the opthamologist’s office to Rainbow Babies & Children.  By the end of that very
long day, they were told that Raven would have to have major surgery to remove a rapidly
growing brain tumor that was causing pressure on Raven’s optic nerve.  She would have
multiple surgeries over the next few months.  There were complications, consultations with
physicians and the Cleveland Sight Center , occupational and physical therapy appointments
and major adjustments in their lives.  In March, Laurie went to her own doctor thinking the stress
of all their family was going through had caused her to miss her cycle only to discover she was
pregnant!  Stress and a few missed pills. . . . but now they have a beautiful baby girl who has
brought joy to this family who has been on a very complicated stressful medical journey that is
not yet over.  

The day Laurie and Brian brought Ocean home from the hospital three weeks ago they had to
turn around and take Raven to the emergency room at Rainbow, as Raven still struggles with
fluid that fills the space where the tumor had grown.  Laurie had no choice but to take Ocean
with her to the ER, as she was nursing.  Laurie told us that when they found out Raven had to be
readmitted that evening, Brian decided he would reluctantly go home to care for their younger
son, London .  He hated to leave his girls, but his son also needed him. Raven started crying
about having to be readmitted, then Laurie started crying because her daughter was upset, she
herself had just gotten home from the hospital and was tired and emotional.  Ocean, just three
days old started crying as the three sat in the hospital room hugging, tears streaming down their
faces.  

      Raven’s family includes an older brother, Jacquis, who is 17 years old.  He has applied to
multiple colleges hoping to pursue a degree in graphic design or marketing.  He also plays ten
different instruments, including saxophone, clarinet, French horn, guitar, key board and has
been involved in band programs since he was in fifth grade, and now in the Wind Ensemble at
Bedford High School .  He hasn’t ruled out a career in music.  Laurie recalls going into Jacquis
room recently to find him at his computer filling out an online college application with one hand,
as he held his new baby sister sleeping in his other arm.  It suddenly occurred to her that both of
these children were hers!  This was not what she had originally intended, but a vision and family
none the less that she feels was meant to be and that she loves deeply.

  London , a seven year old, extremely creative, little boy who loves his family. He is always
excited to share his stories of their Make-A-Wish trip to Walt Disney World in July.  The entire
family will never forget their trip, how special it made them feel and how wonderful it was to
forget about the doctors and future that is ahead of them.  They could all just be kids and enjoy
every precious day.  It was yet another story about how special Make-A-Wish is to these
families.  

      Raven looks like a normal, pretty twelve year old little girl, but she is now legally blind.  She
only has vision within three feet, but that is very blurry.  Everything has to be magnified with an
electronic magnifier 48 times.  She is learning Braille, but not having her sight has been a
frustrating and scary experience.  Her friends and teachers don’t understand her limitations.  
The fact that she looks normal makes it even harder because people forget she can’t see.  Her
family is extremely supportive, but I sense she feels depressed and angry at times because she
misses reading novels and enjoying the same preteen life experiences her friends are.   

      This is only 1 of our many families that are special to the Ashley's Hope family and it takes
all of our supporters to continue to assist them and help their dreams come true.