Thank-you so much to everyone who made donations of cash and items, volunteered, solicited, and the list goes on. We are humbled by your gratitude and generosity to our family. The Lord has sent people like you to us, not only to provide financial assistance in this tremendous fundraising effort, but to give us hope as well. God Bless you for supporting Danny and our entire family! Below is a letter that was given to everyone at the trivia night as a thank-you from the Walsh family. This letter is extended to everyone out there who has helped us out and led us through this journey.
May 2, 2009
Who could have ever imagined what all was to unfold throughout this venture. When we first considered a 4 Paws service dog for Danny, we quickly arrived at the conclusion that we must have been nuts! After all, it was over $10,000.00 to fundraise for one of these extraordinary animals.
But over the past year or so, we have had to face some bitter truths. Danny is a young man now, which brings about physical strength, and even in Danny, a thirst for independence. There have been times that we have had to question our ability to provide a safe and secure environment for him. We have had to put Kenny in situations; ones that no kid should be put in.
It’s hard to imagine that 20 years would have evolved into this. Being the parent of a child with a condition such as Danny’s can create a tremendous sense of isolation. You oftentimes feel as if you are on the outside looking in. Or in our case, on the inside looking out. Relationships suffer and rejection becomes a reality. You find yourself struggling to fit in. We realize we’ve reached a point in our lives where we need help. But we’re seeking this help in a new sort of way than most could have ever imagined. Not help from a family member, friend, therapist, teacher, or doctor. But from mans best friend; a furry, 4 pawed angel.
The support we have received over these past several months from family, friends, and people we don’t even know, has been nothing short of a miracle. People have spent countless hours soliciting, organizing, and taking part in our efforts. There have been hours of making baskets, brochures, and pulling this all together. Businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals have donated both cash, and items, towards our 4 Paws mission. We’ve had donations that have made our jaws drop and brought us to tears. Family members even moved their wedding date just so they could attend tonight. We are humbled by the love and devotion of so many people.
We haven’t quite figured out how we could ever begin to thank everyone. Perhaps the only way is to share in the joys of this new angel coming to live with us. To share in the new life we’ll begin with our new helping paw. To share in the joy in seeing this gift from God who will forever change Danny’s life and those around him.
Through all of our gratitude there is one who needs to be thanked most of all. That is God. Before finding the Lord, we were finding ourselves angry at life, and at the Lord, for what had happened to our precious boy.
But all that changed when we looked towards God for answers. It’s been a long process and not always picture perfect. We’ve stumbled at times and sometimes even fallen. But through the faith we have built, and the trust we have acquired, we can find purpose in all of our struggles.
Danny, our niece Tricia, and countless others out there, were no doubt sent here for a reason. They see life as we are not able to see it, but in a way that we should be striving to see. We have learned the true meaning of patience and strength. To see the compassion that has been instilled in Kenny, and countless other’s, through Danny & Tricia, is indescribable.
To think that one young man, who can barely talk, could bring about all of this, all of us together tonight. What a blessing. We are so honored to be representing such a wonderful organization such as 4 Paws, as well as humbled by all the love and support of so many people. The Lord is definitely here tonight and smiling down upon all of you. God Bless you and thank you so much for helping our family and for making this dream come true for us.
Love,
Kevin, Maggie, Danny & Kenny Walsh
