Lifting Angels Together

Swing

2008-04-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

One need Fridays Kids would like to see filled as soon as possible is the purchase of a special swing. It is large enough (and sturdy enough) to support the weight of a child and their volunteer. The size also allows for those children who do not have the motor skills to sit up, to lie on their back and enjoy the swinging motion. They had considered having someone make it for them (it's pretty basic) but worried about liability issues. As such, they are seeking any cash donations to help purchase this swing (total cost will be around $500.00).

Fridays Kids.Org

2008-04-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

I met with the executive director, Toshiko and volunteer outreach coordinator, Amy yesterday and it was absolutely wonderful. They are amazing women and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work along side them and help those families who cope with disabilities each and every day. Having Abigail has given me a new appreciation for those families, and especially, mothers who care for Heavenly Father's children who have severe disabilities. Abi's club foot seems pretty insignicant compared to some of the children Fridays Kids provide services for. Here's some quick information for those who haven't had a change to visit their website: www.fridayskids.org

What exactly is Fridays kids? They are a non-profit organization who provides "babysitting" for families who have disabilities that do not qualify for (or are on the waiting list) for help from the state. Once a family recieves respite (2 nights a month) from the state, they no longer recieve services from Fridays Kids. They will take children from age newborn to twenty two years of age.

If families recieve help from the state, why do we need Fridays Kids? Their are approximately 2,000 families on the waiting list to recieve services from the state. If that's not discouraging enough, the average wait is five years. (Please take into account those families who don't even try to apply for services from the state.) That's a lot of families who could use our help.

What's are their biggest needs?
1. Volunteers - Without more volunteers, we are unable to provide service for more families. Each child has to have an adult (16 years or older) to help care for them for the 3 to 3 1/2 hours of respite.
2. Financial Backing - They appreciate any donations you can offer. However, they are in desperate need of companies who are willing to commit to a(n) continual/annual donation.

Upcoming Fundraiser:
May 5th - 10th (the week before mother's day) It will be an online auction where you can purchase gift certificates for anything from Disneyland passes to restaurant certificates. As I gather more information (web site, etc.) I will be sure to post it. I just wanted to make you aware of this so you can keep it in mind when considering a mother's day gift.

Thanks again to each of you for your help and support. If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me. Also, please pass this blog onto as many of your friends and family as possible. The more people that are made aware of the needs at Fridays Kids, the more success we will have!

Pictures

2008-04-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

What's a blog without pictures right? Here are some of my favorite pictures taken by Lucinda Higley (http://photographybylucinda.blogspot.com/)

Interested in Attending?

2008-04-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

The actual pageant will be held on Friday, May 23rd at 7:00pm at the Provo Covey Center for the Arts. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased through the following website: www.coveycenter.org

How Can You Help?

2008-04-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

BECOME A SPONSOR:
As of Tuesday, April 15th I am still seeking sponsors. You can sponsor in one of two ways:
1. Donate funds so that I can purchase copies of the book "The Cripple Lamb". My goal is 300 books - 250 to go to Shriner's Hospital and 50 to go to the families currently recieving services from Fridays Kids.
2. Purchase the books and have them shipped directly to me. Books can be purchased online at www.tommynelson.com. I am purchasing the $6.00 hardback books.
In exchange for your sponsorship, your name and website will be listed on my blog. I am also happy to do speaking engagements and hand out business cards for anyone interest in having me do so.

VOLUNTEER AT FRIDAY'S KIDS RESPITE:
One major issue they are having is finding enough volunteers so they can offer services to more families. Right now, they are only able to help 41 families due to the limited number of volunteers. Please visit their website for more information and volunteer opportunities. www.fridayskids.org

HELP US MAKE CARDS:
We will begin assembling cards starting the first of May. Our goal is 300 cards (to match the number of books we want to purchase). If you are interested in assembling some, please let me know and I will get you the materials.

COME PLANT FLOWERS:
We will be planting flowers on Tuesday, April 22nd and Saturday, April 26th at the Utah State Developmental Center at 9:00am. Please contact me at rachelle.upwall@gmail.com

HELP PURCHASE A SWING:
Fridays Kids is in need of a special swing that is made to support a child and their volunteer. The cost is $500.00. Anyone interested in donating funds to help purchase this item please e-mail me at rachelle.upwall@gmail.com

How Am I Furthering My Platform?

2008-04-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

The care our daughter has received at Shriner's Hospital is incredible. What is equally incredible is that they are a completely charitable facility and we have paid nothing for the care she has received. Because of the wonderful doctors, staff, and volunteers I wanted to give back to the wonderful people at the hospital. There are obviously fees associated with participating in the pageant but most of my sponsorship money is going towards purchasing a book called "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado. It's an amazing story about how a crippled little lamb was able to perform a very specific mission that Heavenly Father needed him to do. Had he been born without his disability, he wouldn't have been able to perform the work the Lord needed him to do. I want to raise enough money to purchase 250 copies of this book and distribute them to the other patients receiving care at Shriner's Hospital.

In addition to donating books, I want my children to be involved and reap the benefits of serving others. As such, during preschool each day, we will be making cards to deliver to the children at Shriner's as well as other local hospitals. Our goal is 250 cards. In addition to helping me make cards, I have had some local businesses donate flowers. My children, along with some of my nephews and nieces, will be going up to the Utah State Developmental Center and planting flowers for those individuals who are receiving care at this facility.

I have also partnered with an organization called "Fridays Kids Respite" (http://www.fridayskids.org/) They are a non profit organization that babysits for free with families who have children with disabilities. It is an amazing organization and I am so excited to begin helping them grow and expand so we can bless the lives of more families.

Why I am Doing What I'm Doing

2008-04-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

One of the first things I had to do was create a platform. A platform is basically what you stand for, something you firmly believe in. It didn't take long for me to come up with the platform of "Optimism Through Disabilities." The following are the stories of three individuals in my life who have overcome incredible odds through optimism and faith in Christ. They are the reasons I am participating in Mrs. Utah --- I want to share their stories and honor the legacy they live each and every day.

My Father has overcome three life-changing accidents and has done it with a smile on his face. In 1983, a young mother ran a stop sign and side swiped my father's truck. This accident left him paralyzed from the waist down and the doctors told him he would never walk again. He openly defied this prognosis and through excruciating physical therapy was able to walk short distances with crutches. He had just overcome this hurdle when, in 1985, a man driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol hit his truck and forced him over a freeway overpass. This accident almost claimed his life. My mother was told he wouldn't live through the night. But my father, once again, defied his prognosis and not only lived but once again learned to walk short distances with crutches. Growing up I never heard him complain. I would go to him with petty problems and he always took me in his arms and showed me nothing but love and concern. Looking back I realize how insignificant my problems were compared to my father's disabilities yet his attitude was a hundred fold better than mine. You would think this end of his story, but not so. In 2004, two weeks before my wedding, my dad fell in the kitchen and broke both his femurs. We almost lost him again but my mother's knowledge of his medical conditions was able to offer the doctor's advice and save his life. The first thing he said when my fiance and I entered the room was "You're still getting married in two weeks right? I can't be there but you two are the most important people that need to be there. My blessing goes with you and I will be there in heart." He did miss my wedding and it breaks my heart still to think of it but I knew he wouldn't have it any other way.

When I met my husband, his love of life was infectious and his attitude was amazing. I had never met such an enthusiastic and genuine individual. As we courted, I soon found that his attitude and love of life had come through overcoming incredible odds. In 1982, he was born with two club feet. His condition was so severe, the doctors told his parents he would probably never walk. After seventeen surgeries and at age sixteen my husband had become and eagle scout and championship wrestler. A local news station once did a story to honor him and his comment was this, "Look at Jesus Christ and all He went through. If He did it, why can't I?" In this same news report, his coach shared how touching it was to be around David. When they asked why it was so touching he responded "Because it comes from another source. You would never guess because he is just so positive." He continues to be a shining light for me. He is currently working two jobs and trying to finish our home for a final inspection and he does it without complaint. I once caught him crawling around on the floor and when I asked what he was doing he responded "nothing." I pushed a little further to discover that he had spent too much time on his feet that day and they were hurting so bad he couldn't bear to walk on them. I burst into tears and thanked him for his selfless service and example he sets for me.

The third person is my daughter. More than anything, her story is an example of a miracle and the blessings of a loving Heavenly Father. During my twenty week ultrasound, we were informed that she had a clubbed foot. I was told to get her into a doctor as soon as she was born so they could cast her and give her every chance of leading a normal life. She was six days when she was put into her first cast. The doctor said he hadn't seen a club that severe in years and said she might not walk and if she did, she would probably have a limp. I was devastated and went home in tears. Both my husband and father reminded me of their examples and said to press on with faith in Christ. We were referred up to Shriner's in Salt Lake City, Utah. Through their expertise and Heavenly Father's tender mercies, our daughter is doing just fine. She only had to be in casts until she was three months old and only required one surgery. She now wears special shoes to keep the foot turned out but if her recovery stays the same, she will be allowed to be shoe-free by age three.

Once again - why am I doing Mrs. Utah? I want to honor these three wonderful people, as well as the countless others, who have been a shining example for me of optimism and Faith in Christ.

Overview

2008-04-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

In high school, I wanted to participate in a Jr. Miss Pageant but never had a talent that you share. I don't have an amazing voice (lullabies for my children are the extent of my vocal abilities). I play the piano, but nothing even close to Beethoven. I don't dance and so on and so forth. As a teenager, I was devastated at the fact that I had "no" talent. As I've gone through life, been married, graduated college and started to raise children of my own I have come to terms that I have talents, just not one's you show off on stage.

In February of 2008 I was made aware of a Mrs. Utah United States Pageant. It didn't require a talent and was made specifically for married women and mothers. I decided to take a chance I try something completely out of my comfort zone. My husband thought I was crazy. I babysit and do preschool four days a week, I serve as young women's secretary in my ward, I do accounting work for an Internet business from home and so on and so on. But I felt driven to participate in Mrs. Utah. Through much prayer, I decided I would become in a contestant in this years Mrs. Utah United States Pageant.