This journal is mostly about Ashley, about her struggles with liver disease and wait for a liver transplant. This journal was started mainly to keep family and friends who love Ashley informed on how she is doing but it was also started to help me cope with having a daughter with a life threatening illness. However, today, it's about none of of these things. It's not about Ashley, me, or how we as a family cope with her illness. Today, it's about other children like Ashley who need an extra prayer or two.
If you look to the right of this website you will see a headline called "Liver Friends". Please take the time to visit some of these websites. But before you leave Love for Ashley let me briefly introduce you to those special children.
Aiden is a sweet goodlooking blonde-haired boy who had biliary atresia. Aiden received a liver transplant when he was just a tiny baby. Although, Aiden's liver transplant was a success, he still struggles with life threatening issues. Since Aiden's transplant he has become severly allergic to just about everything from peanuts to household air deodorizers. Aiden's mom has saved his life 19 times due to his severe allergies. Aiden is just 5 years old and has been through more life struggles then any of us adults will see in our entire lives.
Then there is Shania. Shania reminds me a lot of Ashley. Shania loves to dance, she loves to make people laugh, she loves people, she loves life. Shania didn't have biliary atresia but she just received a liver transplant this year. Shania is a year older then Ashley, and is a beautiful girl. Just visit her website for proof of that beauty. Since Shania's transplant, she has struggled with one infection after another. She has yet to start school because she is spending so much time in and out of the hospital. I am not sure when the last time she stepped foot in a dance studio. And if Shania is anything like Ashley, dancing is the only thing that makes her feel alive; the only thing that makes her feel whole. Pray for Shania so that she may dance again.
Anthony is our miracle child. He was born with biliary atresia like Ashley but he was diagnosed with the disease to late to receive the life saving Kasai surgery. Anthony needed a transplant immediately or he would not live. Anthony's dad became his savior; his gift of life. Anthony's dad donated a piece of his liver to Anthony so he could watch his first born son grow into a man. Anthony is what gives me hope for Ashley. Anthony has the greatest smile, and when I read his mother's blog, Simple Things In Life, I find myself smiling too. Anthony's antics are what life is all about!
Then there are children I don't have listed on this website like Natalie, Annika, Brooke and Fiona. Natalie and Annika recieved liver transplants but are now listed for their 2nd or 3rd liver transplant. Fiona is a 19 year old with biliary atresia. Fiona is proof that you can live with biliary atresia for years. Unfortunately, Fiona will soon be listed for a transplant because the complications she is experiencing are affecting her quality life. Brooke is a cute curly headed little girl who received four liver transplants before her first birthday. Today Brooke is doing well and is another source of hope for Ashley.
The children mentioned above are children who survived their disease, survived a liver transplant but there are many children who don't. Children like Haley, Haley died without ever receiving her gift of life. Haley was just 10 years old. Then there is little Antonio, and Allison. There are so many others, way to many...to many needless and senseless deaths because someone did not say yes to organ donation. If you are asking yourself why these children had to die, then ask yourself if you are an organ donor, and if your are not then you have answered your question. If you want to make sure that there are no more parent's like Haley's mom who just wishes and prays for one more day...then become an organ donor.
Sign an organ donor card today. Here is a link to register in your state to become an organ donor and to receive your own organ donor card. Download the card, show it to your family, share your wishes and then put the card in your wallet!
It's simple really, how hard can it be to make a decision to save someone's life. Wouldn't you want someone to save your life?
If you look to the right of this website you will see a headline called "Liver Friends". Please take the time to visit some of these websites. But before you leave Love for Ashley let me briefly introduce you to those special children.
Aiden is a sweet goodlooking blonde-haired boy who had biliary atresia. Aiden received a liver transplant when he was just a tiny baby. Although, Aiden's liver transplant was a success, he still struggles with life threatening issues. Since Aiden's transplant he has become severly allergic to just about everything from peanuts to household air deodorizers. Aiden's mom has saved his life 19 times due to his severe allergies. Aiden is just 5 years old and has been through more life struggles then any of us adults will see in our entire lives.
Then there is Shania. Shania reminds me a lot of Ashley. Shania loves to dance, she loves to make people laugh, she loves people, she loves life. Shania didn't have biliary atresia but she just received a liver transplant this year. Shania is a year older then Ashley, and is a beautiful girl. Just visit her website for proof of that beauty. Since Shania's transplant, she has struggled with one infection after another. She has yet to start school because she is spending so much time in and out of the hospital. I am not sure when the last time she stepped foot in a dance studio. And if Shania is anything like Ashley, dancing is the only thing that makes her feel alive; the only thing that makes her feel whole. Pray for Shania so that she may dance again.
Anthony is our miracle child. He was born with biliary atresia like Ashley but he was diagnosed with the disease to late to receive the life saving Kasai surgery. Anthony needed a transplant immediately or he would not live. Anthony's dad became his savior; his gift of life. Anthony's dad donated a piece of his liver to Anthony so he could watch his first born son grow into a man. Anthony is what gives me hope for Ashley. Anthony has the greatest smile, and when I read his mother's blog, Simple Things In Life, I find myself smiling too. Anthony's antics are what life is all about!
Then there are children I don't have listed on this website like Natalie, Annika, Brooke and Fiona. Natalie and Annika recieved liver transplants but are now listed for their 2nd or 3rd liver transplant. Fiona is a 19 year old with biliary atresia. Fiona is proof that you can live with biliary atresia for years. Unfortunately, Fiona will soon be listed for a transplant because the complications she is experiencing are affecting her quality life. Brooke is a cute curly headed little girl who received four liver transplants before her first birthday. Today Brooke is doing well and is another source of hope for Ashley.
The children mentioned above are children who survived their disease, survived a liver transplant but there are many children who don't. Children like Haley, Haley died without ever receiving her gift of life. Haley was just 10 years old. Then there is little Antonio, and Allison. There are so many others, way to many...to many needless and senseless deaths because someone did not say yes to organ donation. If you are asking yourself why these children had to die, then ask yourself if you are an organ donor, and if your are not then you have answered your question. If you want to make sure that there are no more parent's like Haley's mom who just wishes and prays for one more day...then become an organ donor.
Sign an organ donor card today. Here is a link to register in your state to become an organ donor and to receive your own organ donor card. Download the card, show it to your family, share your wishes and then put the card in your wallet!
It's simple really, how hard can it be to make a decision to save someone's life. Wouldn't you want someone to save your life?
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