2012 Year In Review!

Merry Christmas!

Brielle turned 5 and Brooke 4 years old this year!

2012 seems to be a year of firsts for us!  

 Here are the firsts for our family:

• First sleep study
• Frist time bowling
• Brielle won a photo contest and was on the Cover of Kalamazoo Parent Magazine
• First time fishing
• Started aquatic therapy
• Brielle started Kindergarten
• Brooke had her first haircut
• Brielle donated her hair to Locks of Love
• First sleepover with friend, Evie H.
• Meritor Fundraiser for FSMA – Raised $2875 for FSMA
• Brielle got her ears pierced
• Our family went on our first hot air balloon ride
• B&B fed the dolphins at Sea World
• Eric went to Africa for an Army mission.
• August is declared SMA Awareness Month in the state of MI by Gov. Snyder
• Eric’s dad passed away
• Brooke had 3 stitches in her chin.
• Eric’s military promotion
• We visited our local fire department
• Our dog Mollie passed away
• We met the World’s tallest dog – Zeus
• Brooke was an Ipad grant recipient from the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation
• Our family was in a Commercial for Representative Fred Upton!
• and the best for last… Our family was picked to be the Grand Marshalls of the Disney World Dream come true parade!!  On the same day, Eric was chosen to be the Veteran of the Day at Magic Kingdom Park. 

The firsts for the The Friends of Brooke and Brielle Organization:

• The “flamingo flocking” fundraiser was held during the month of August to raise awareness for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  It was a great success and we can’t wait to try it again next year! 

For the first time our friends have stepped in to help by selling their own goods to provide their profits to the Friends of Brooke and Brielle Organization!

• The Yummy Cupcake fundraiser held by Marianne
• I can and I will Inspirational Print created by Angi P.
• B&B SMA Awareness Bracelet created by Alex D.
• The sweetest little 5 year old, RaElla dedicated her birthday to raise money for her friends Brooke and Brielle.  
• The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation created a beautiful “I Can & I Will” tank inspired by Brooke and Brielle.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

The firsts for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA):

• We have also been involved with legislation called, “National Pediatric Research Network Act”
• Our family visited Senator Hagan’s office in North Carolina with our Aunt Christen to enlist support for the bill.
• Our family has visited our Representative, Congressman Fred Upton, many times to enlist his support for the bill.
• Dec 4 was a historic day for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  The Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) panel approved the gene therapy program so that it could move forward toward human clinical trials.  This is important step #1 in a 3 step process. 

What a great year!  We look forward to an even better year ahead in 2013!  

Thank you again for ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!  

Comments

[fred sammons]

Hi Sarah,
Brielle must be too big for the red Amtryke that the Alive After Five Chapter gave your family a while back.
We have a new mid-sized tryke (AM 12-Small) that is now available and should fir her nicely.
I need to come out to your house to size the tryke to make sure that it fits Brielle. Then we can arrange a give away shortly after.
I am Fred Sammons,OT.
My phone is 269-344-6471
My e-mail is fredok1@charter.net. I will need your address, Sincerely, Fred

[Kendra]

What a great year!!! I can't wait to see what 2013 brings to your beautiful family!