Jay Thompson has been married to his wife TJ for 26 years and is the proud father of 4 daughters (ages 10 - 19). He is a passionate musician and has been an athlete most of his life. He just celebrated his 25 year mark with the phone company and his 45th birthday. Jay also has ALS which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease for which medical scientific research has yet to find a cure. ALS affects motor neurons which reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to the muscles' death.

Jay is confined to a wheelchair and his wife and family have been providing round the clock care for him for months and months. When Pennies from Heaven heard how difficult it was for TJ to help her husband shower, we discovered that having a specialized shower chair would make the daily procedure substantially easier for her. We also discovered that this piece of equipment was not covered by the family's insurance and was out of reach for them financially. Pennies from Heaven, thanks to our generous donors, stepped in and purchased the chair directly from the manufacturer.

Hi, we are the Solie family; David, Merilee, Emily, Margaret, Abigail, Daniel, and Grace.  We live in Northern Wyoming; 50 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. We enjoy doing things as a family like camping, fishing, hiking, and enjoying music.

Our only son, Daniel, was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of three. His seizures are difficult to control with medicine and though they don't happen daily, they must be stopped with medicine, which often leads to an overnight stay in the hospital. After he "failed" on three medicines--that means the medicines didn't stop seizure activity--he became a surgical candidate. We have gone through several sets of tests, some in Denver (500 miles from home) and others in Detroit (we had to fly). They are narrowing down the "focus" of the seizures--where they originate in the brain--so that they hopefully can remove it.

There is a good chance of cure with this kind of brain surgery. The surgery will be done in Denver and we would like to take the whole family down for the approx. 2 weeks needed.

That is where Pennies-from-Heaven came in; they have been able to give us funds to use for gas and travel expenses. Because they were very generous, I think we can do it. Now the older children won't have to stay home with friends feeling anxious and worried about their little brother. Instead, we can be together as a family as the Lord leads us on this path.

This gift has been an unexpected and so appreciated surprise.  We praise the Lord for the faithful love of those who run and donate to Pennies From Heaven.

Thank you all so much!

With love in Christ,
David, Merilee and Children

In the summer of 2006, the lives of Heather Bates and her four children were changed in an instant when Terry Bates (husband/father) died instantaneously of an abdominal aneurism.  Terry and Heather were serving as missionaries to Fiji and had been there for the past 13 years. Their children (ages 13 – 4), although American citizens, viewed Fiji as their home. Within two months of the reality of their father's death, they had relocated back to the States and are beginning the process of building a new life for themselves. 

Diamonds in the Rough heard about this family and how, while in Fiji, Terry and his children had begun learning the game of golf. Because they were so limited in what they could bring back to the US, the golf clubs didn't make the trip.  Diamonds in the Rough has since purchased clubs and equipment for the 3 older Bates children and has financed lessons for them at the 500 Club Golf Course in Glendale, AZ.

When Heather talked to her children about the possibility of taking up golf once again, she reported, " I talked to the kids and the golf lessons are definitely a go!  My oldest had to think a bit first, but the other two both immediately said 'great.'  Aaron (my 8 year old) especially was excited about it!  Thanks, Diamonds in the Rough!"

Back in May of 2005, Megan Nordin (the homeschooling mother of three boys) began to experience numbness in her left leg. Three months later, two bleeds were found within her spinal cord. At the time she was told that there was nothing that could be done and that it should get better on its own. By November the numbness had progressed to her right side and a referral was made to a neurosurgeon. Two weeks after seeing the neurosurgeon, she was in surgery. The doctors, concerned that failing to operate would result in progressive deterioration and eventual paralysis, had to remove the slow bleed within the spinal cord. After surgery the numbness had increased and the mobility in her right leg was greatly affected. Megan and her family received much support from her parents and members of her church congregation. She also began a physical therapy regimen, but was frustrated that her recovery was slow.

Pennies from Heaven heard of Megan’s situation and after an extended interview, purchased an elliptical trainer for her home so that she could exercise more frequently and throughout the day in order to build up her endurance and strength.

In Megan’s own words, “Since January, I have greatly improved in my physical strength, and I praise God for His mercy and providence throughout this adventure. Many, many thanks to Pennies from Heaven for your loving and very generous gift. When the offer was made, I could hardly believe it.  Our whole family has been blessed, knowing that there are people out there willing to help those they don't even know personally.”

After moving into a new rental, Johnny and Michelle Aiello and their 3 children (ages 4, 7, and 13) discovered that they were without a refrigerator (as that was not part of the rental agreement).  This would be an inconvenience under most circumstances, however Johnny is in the advanced stages of cancer and the added stress was taking its toll on the family and especially Michelle who is currently the only "breadwinner."  One of our "Partners in Blessing" (who happens to be a colleague of Michelle's from work) brought this adverse situation to the attention of Pennies from Heaven .  Within a week's time, Pennies from Heaven purchased the refrigerator and arranged for rush delivery.  Subsequently, friends and acquaintances from the church and the community came and filled up the refrigerator for the family.  Although Michelle's husband's health continues to decline, the family is better able to deal with the realities of day-to-day life.

On Saturday, July 3, 2004, 9 year old Fernanda Hernandez suddenly complained of a headache, started to cry, stood up and then slumped over, and began to drool out her mouth and slur her speech. Her parents immediately called 911, and she was transported to a nearby hospital where they performed a CAT scan determining she had a severe blood clot in the right hand side of her brain. She was then transported to a regional center – a move which most definitely saved her life! The pediatric neurosurgeon there immediately performed surgery to remove the blood clot.

A year later, Fernanda is at home receiving various therapies and round the clock care. Her family has been helped by their church and the community at large as they help Fernanda work toward regaining her ability to move on her own and speak. Fernanda is the second of four children (ages 13, 5, and 6 months).

When Pennies from Heaven heard that in April of 2005 the Hernandez Family was heading from their home in Morgan Hill, CA to Oakland, CA (about 75 miles away) for a surgery to replace some of the bone that was taken from Fernanda’s skull last year to relieve head-pressure, a contribution was made ( as part of our Miles Away/ Hearts Together Program) to help defray the cost of gasoline, eating out etc.

James & Kaleen Swanson welcomed their daughter Paxton into their lives in August of 1993. At birth she was 4 lbs. 12 oz. At 8 months she suffered a grand mal type seizure where she lost consciousness which caused brain damage. The doctors also discovered that she has a chromosome anomaly, believed to cause growth disorders and cerebral palsy. She has continued to suffer from seizures varying in duration and severity. She does not walk, talk, or feed herself. Her motor skills are scattered to about a 6-9 month old level. With the care and love she gets from her family she is happy and content. It has been a challenging 12 years so far, but having Paxton has enriched their lives and given them compassion for others.

With the generous donations of Pennies from Heaven contributors, the entire Swanson family (Dad, Mom, Paxton, and her two brothers) was able to take a summer trip up the coast from California to Roseburg, Oregon to visit with family. Because of Paxton’s special needs, camping isn’t an option, and the family was able to make the trip, stay in motels along the way and enjoy a family vacation.

Cathryn Achilles is 13 years old and has Ataxia-telangiectasia (a debilitating genetic disorder for which there is no cure). She was diagnosed in May 2000 after a seven year search to find out why she wasn't growing. Children with AT experience a growing loss of voluntary motor skills. They become dependent upon wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Their immune systems are usually compromised, and they often suffer from respiratory infections. They have a one-in-three chance of developing cancer and are especially susceptible to leukemia and lymphoma. Cathryn had a G-tube surgically placed back in 2000 in order to get liquids more safely, because her swallowing was greatly hampered by loss of muscle control. (She no longer gets liquids by mouth). Cathryn has a hard time writing, reading, walking, and sitting still. She is schooled at home, so that she can go at her own pace and that her special needs can be adequately addressed.

Cathyrn’s dad is a pastor of Grace Bible Church in Hollister, CA. and told us, “At this point in time, we seem to have a handle on the expenses related to Cathryn's care. As you might expect, Blue Cross and CCS have covered the medical side of things. The church I pastor has taken care of deductibles and the cost of the insurance. It is the nickel-and-dime stuff that keeps us tied up -- your web site described the scenario very well -- Gas, food, some vacation and daily expenses. And in some ways, we are still recovering financially from the purchase and renovation of a wheel-chair accessible van five years ago. So as to our needs: everything's covered yet money's tight.”

Pennies from Heaven stepped in and as part of our "My Brother's Keeper" program handled the expenses for Cathryn’s younger brother Robby (who has had to be quite patient while his sister gets a lot of attention) to play Little League in the fall of 2005. Also, even though Cathryn’s parents school her at home, there are expenses that go along with that. So, Pennies from Heaven has picked up Cathryn’s tuition costs for this coming year.

Back in 2003, Carl Pelaez suffered 2nd & 3rd degree burns across his face and left hand after an accident sent him to the emergency room. Since then, he has had 4 surgeries -- some to restore normal body functions and others for cosmetic purposes. Throughout it all, he and his family have weathered the storm with a strong faith in God and His provisions.

One of the consequences of the enormous medical and related expenses has been that the family had not been able to enjoy a vacation or outing together. Over the Christmas vacation 2004, Pennies from Heaven was able to purchase an outing for the entire family of 5 -- a day in San Francisco -- going to Alcatraz and having dinner out together, as a way to bring about some normalcy in their lives.

Jordan Belcher (18) was injured in a car accident on the night of January 18th, 2004. She was driving her best friend and her nephew to his house when she struck gravel and hit a guard rail on a 55 mph two-lane road. After hitting the guardrail, she tried to correct the car and slammed into a cliff. Her head hit the airbag and her body was transported forward into the windshield and back into the seat, causing a coup-contra-coup injury with shearing to the brain and injuries to her chest. Although undetected for two weeks, Jordan's chest injuries developed into a three phased infection/fungus of strep, staph and mucor and she lost all the skin and muscle from an area about a foot wide and six inches high just below and above her right collarbone.

Jordan (a year later and after numerous surgeries) is now at the Ronald McDonald House where she is transitioning out of the hospital into outpatient therapy, outpatient living and all that goes with it. After living in the hospital for about a year and after having learned how to take care of Jordan's needs in that setting, her dad being trained on going “solo” and managing all her rehab and medications on his own, working to set up support systems and extended help. Although many have contributed to a fund that was set up for Jordan, the financial burdens have been great. Her dad, Kerry, has begun a CD and book project which he hopes will facilitate bringing in the necessary extra capital that Jordan’s care will entail.

Pennies from Heaven decided to help this family by making a contribution towards the production of this CD that features Jordan playing the piano on six songs that she either wrote or co-wrote before her accident. Also, a book, Jordan's Journey, is in the final stages of preparation – another device to help defray financial needs while at the same time, encouraging and guiding others in similar circumstances.

Our Services Director has a referral network that places Pennies from Heaven in touch with families that need the sort of assistance we specialize in. Through an organization that sponsors retreats specifically for families with special needs children, we were put in touch with the Bowman family of Pennsylvania.  Here is their story:

On Christmas Eve 1998 Jeff and Holly Bowman and their two sons welcomed a baby girl Meaghan into their family.  After about a year or so, Mrs. Bowman began to notice some speech delays and walking problems that had her seek out her pediatrician's advice. She was assured that what developmental issues she was bringing to his attention were merely things Meaghan would outgrow. Two years later, another diagnosis came with words like "cerebral palsy" and "autism."  Like many in similar situations, the Bowmans began the process of learning about conditions they had known little to anything about while trying to cope with the new realities of their daily lives.  In Mrs. Bowman's own words:

Penny Vlahon has a precious 2-year-old son named Stephanos Manoli (which is Greek for Steven Manuel), but to her his “real” name is Sugar Buttons. When he was born, he seemed all right with the exception of clubbed feet and a hernia. The doctors told her that everything else was “normal,” but in her heart, she knew better. Today he is tube fed, along with having hearing and vision problems. Eventually, he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder that continues to get worse.

Raising her special needs son on her own was difficult enough, but Penny began to have health problems. So, she and her son moved to South Carolina to be near friends and through public assistance obtained section 8 housing. One night her car was stolen and later involved in a hit-and-run accident. She knew who stole the car, and turned them in to the police. For many days, the police visited her apartment every night because she was being harassed. Although she cannot prove it, one of the men involved with those who stole the car did make her “pay”. He threatened her son with harm and after raping her, she ended up pregnant.