This Sweet Little Miracle Needs A Miracle

I’ve known one of my dearest friends, Lindsey for nearly 8 years. Shortly after our daughter’s were born in 2004 we both joined an online parenting forum {*waves to all fellow BWers*} and became fast friends, sharing the joys and triumphs….and trials of being first time moms. This friendship continued as we both added another child to our family, me having Jonah, and her and her husband adopting their sweet daughter, Camille from Kazakhstan. Having been a dream of ours to adopt internationally, we felt an extra bond as we followed along with their amazing journey {via their blog}. Holidaying together {and meeting for the first time} at Disneyland and in San Diego in 2010 was amazing, and a holiday we won’t ever forget.

Later that year they were blessed to add another sweet daughter to the mix, adopting Evangeline from China. Not only did we once again follow along via their blog, but the kids and I were fortunate enough to meet her later that year when we took a fun vacay back to California with my cousin and her son.

And let me tell you – this girl is one incredible miracle.

She was not only born a girl in rural China, but was also abandoned shortly after birth {thankfully} outside a hospital.

She was raised in a substandard foster home for the first year of her life.

She was adopted by arguably the most loving family in California, who didn’t just want to add to their family, but requested a child with special needs. The experiences with their second daughter showed them they had the capacity and resources to give her the love and support she would need.

And now, Evie has been diagnosed with Moyamoya, a very {very} rare progressive cerebrovascular disease. What this means is that 2 of her 4 major brain arteries have closed off and as a result, she has not only already suffered mini-strokes but is at high risk for a major {think potentially fatal} stroke. At any moment.

Now here’s the thing…One of the world expert surgeons in this disease is just 3 hours away. HOWEVER, the US Healthcare system and their benefits provider {Kaiser} consider this an *out of network* surgeon….and is therefore UNLIKELY to approve it. Instead, they are suggesting that a lesser experienced surgeon, do a less successful and much riskier surgery on Evie instead. Because he’s within *the network*. {Interestingly another *in network* surgeon has already stepped off the case, seeing that it was out of his realm of experience…}

One thing I know about Lindsey and Nathan is that they will do whatever they can to make the better {and let’s be honest, ONLY} option happen. No matter what. And they are….they are petitioning Kaiser for approval {though have been counseled against hoping for much} and hoping to find a way to pay for it privately should it be denied. That doesn’t surprise me – it’s just who they are….What does surprise me is that the two brain surgeries Evie needs {and fast} will cost just shy of THREE MILLION DOLLARS.

How is that even okay?

So as you can see, they need help. And I’ve come to you, my fabulous readers and friends {some of you are both} to ask for a few things:

1.Please send your prayers, thoughts, healing vibes, and all that’s positive to Evie and her family.

2. Please send the same, and some compassion vibes to Kaiser, in the hopes that they will approve the obvious choice for surgery.

3. Please visit the You Caring donation page if you can and donate…please don’t be overwhelmed by the fundraising goal/need – every dollar counts. {And please also know that ALL money raised will be put towards Evie’s medical expenses and any money not used will be *paid forward* to another family whose child has also been diagnosed with MoyaMoya}

4. Please visit the Change.org Petition Page and sign the petition they will be taking to Kaiser, in the hopes that it will influence their decision in this positive way. {Lindsey wants you to know that Change.org is a safe site to sign up on…they will not sell your information to third party sites and also, will not stalk you for life}..

5. Please share this story – the fundraising and petition – with everyone you can.

6. Please repeat steps 1 and 2 as often as possible. This little miracle needs a miracle. And we can help! YOU can help.

This world needs this light named Evangeline. And this family can’t help her without you.

{Thank you so much in advance….This really means a lot…to Evie and her family…and to me.}