Dear Johnny –

My name is Meaghan and I’ve been praying for a way to be able to make this a great Christmas.  

My youngest son, Grant (11), has Down Syndrome. Earlier this year he began to have accidents at school (wetting his pants) and something didn’t seem right.

I took him to see a specialist at Children’s Mercy and after an MRI they found out he had a tethered spinal cord.

With Medicaid and our stimulus check he had his first surgery in June of this year. After the surgery he began to have a stiff neck and after more appointments and an x-ray we found his neck was dislocated and he needed a spinal fusion for his C1 and C2.

Post-surgery he had to wear C-collar neck brace and he just got out of his neck brace 2-3 weeks ago.

I expected the first surgery, but with the second surgery I missed so much time at work that I had to leave my job in home healthcare.

We are waiting to see if he is going to have to do physical therapy. The doctors want to see how he reacts without the collar.

I started a new job in a dental office in October, but the time off has put me behind. I’m late on my electric and gas bills, but worry that I won’t have much of a Christmas for Grant and he’s been through so much this year.

I have two older kids who help as much as they can, but I’m a single mom who’s just trying to make ends meet.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and Happy Holidays to all of you. - Meaghan

Who Helped: Laura, Colleen, Brian, Ryan, David Ball, Shane, Angie, Danny, Adrian, Consentino's

How You Helped: 2 months rent, paid electric & gas bills, Christmas for Grant and groceries!