Enhance Life Foundation

Were you at the Barnes & Noble in Sugar House the day Patricia was sitting on the floor, tears streaming down her face, two of her preschool triplet boys running around yelling and screaming, the other boy with severe cerebral palsy lying on the floor?  She was overwhelmed. 

It is not unusual to find parents of special needs children who venture into the community to feel a part of it, instead realize through tears and frustration that they need help.

With our friend Patricia’s permission, we share the Glenn family’s story from gofundme.  The boys, born prematurely, have accumulated a mountain of medical bills in their short lifetime, which continues to grow every year because two of the boys have special needs. One has a diagnosis of severe cerebral palsy with borderline failure to thrive, requiring a feeding tube.  Another exhibits behaviors consistent with autism with head banging, biting, hitting, violent behaviors, delayed speech and public meltdowns.

In this true story both parents are professionals, but mom had to give up her job to care for their treasured boys, running them between medical professionals and preschool.  Daycare costs were out of the question.  And who could care for the special needs of the children and work with the violent outbursts?

Needless to say one paycheck can’t cover it all, and insurance and family can only do so much.  The Glenns face a lifetime of therapy, special equipment and adaptations to the home to meet the needs of their children.  Unfortunately, Patricia was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, further challenging this family’s finances, while the special needs of the boys are ever present.

Because of the Glenns and many other families like them, we established Enhance Life Foundation to “Fund the Gap” for the care of children with special needs.  We secure funds from organizations and friends who have a heart for this cause.

Families who come to us need help in various amounts—some need help with greater costs while others need a wheelchair, a walker or want help building a ramp or installing grab bars in the house.

I wish I had been at Barnes & Noble that day, taking a short cut through the children’s section and noticed her and her little family. I would have stopped to help because I care. Please choose our organization and help us fund the gap.

Your Donation

We are requesting a $10 minimum donation for which you will receive 1 entry in an opportunity drawing we are holding on our website for two round trip domestic JetBlue Airlines tickets.  A $25 donation will give you 3 entries.  Our thanks to JetBlue Airlines for their generous donation!

We will still be accepting donations for this drawing on our website after the LoveUtahGiveUtah campaign, so please invite your friends to visit us there.  Then, check back on our website to see the results of the drawing, which will be held on Monday, April 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.  We will post a video of the drawing and announce the winner.  It may be you!