I have been Juniper’s caregiver since August 2022. I have watched her work through countless hours of therapy, comforted her during hospital stays, and pushed her to work on more therapies at home. Juniper can do hard things and has experienced more in her four years of life than most will in their entire lifetime. If she can keep going, so can I. That’s why this year I will be joining her parents for this 26 mile trek in July at Silverfalls State Park.
In August 2020 Juniper was diagnosed with a rare and catastrophic from of epilepsy at 6 months old. She has trialed over 13 medications, two major brain surgeries, and has a VNS implant. Juniper is 4 and a half now and unfortunately, she still has seizures every day. Juniper has various permanent physical and intellectual disabilities due to epilepsy and surgeries.
If you’ve ever meet Juniper, you would instantly know she is so much more than a child with disabilities. She is so social, loves her family, music, The Wiggles, and is major cheese lover. She has the loudest laugh, the brightest smile, and radiates joy and excitement.
Juniper’s entire family loves camping and the outdoors but when they tried tent camping with Juniper it was a disaster! Trying to sleep on the ground, with the noise and light was a bad combination that resulted in poor sleep and increased seizures for Juniper.
In March of 2023 Juniper received her wish for a travel trailer! Having this trailer made it possible for Juniper to get better sleep while camping and allows for all of her medical equipment. This gives Juniper the opportunity to explore from the mountains to the coast and all around Oregon. This wish has brought back so much joy when they thought camping would be impossible.
Every year Make-A-Wish grants over 15,000 unique wishes nationwide but that’s still only 50% of eligible kids. Now more than ever every child needs something to look forward to. We’re fundraising so more deserving kids and their families may know the true happiness, relief, and renewal a wish can bring.
Please help us hit our fundraising goal and together we can support this life changing mission!