(you know I am just
teasing you, right? This extended post thing is my way of making sure those who
don’t want to read the off topic stuff don’t have to. Only click ‘read more’ if
you want to support other readers in their entrepreneurial efforts and stand a
chance of winning something.)
Firstly,
congrats to Punky Mama from Philadelphia who won the gift from LITTLE
SHOWOFFS! Well done, hope you enjoy your
prize. Thanks to everyone else who entered.
Then, on to this
week's featured entrepreneur. Jane and I
met about four years ago, on an infertility support forum. We both got pregnant
at the same time, both with quads. She
decided to take the risks in keeping all four, I decided to take the risk in
reducing to twins. Her quads Anna, Emma,
John, and James were born 14 weeks prematurely on 9/24/03. Her one son, James, died after 5 days.
Anna (who has
down syndrome), Emma (pulmonary hypertension) and John (legally blind) grew and
thrived and blossomed into adorable toddlers. Emma was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in July of 2005 at the
age of 22 months. She needed special
medicine that was given 24 hours a day through a broviac line (central i.v.) in
her chest. This medicine had to be mixed every day in a sterile environment and
could never stop flowing. Through all of
this she grew and became quite a remarkable young girl. She could read and
spell at the age of 2 1/2 and just loved animals and spiders and bumblebees. Although little, Emma was quite outspoken and
often got her way!
Even though
Emma's illness kept her from walking, she got around well and loved to play
with Anna and John. She was thought to
be doing as well as expected with this incurable disease but then this past
January, Jane went into Emma's room in the morning to give her some of her
medicines and discovered (unexpectedly) that Emma had passed away during the
night. As quickly as she entered our
world, she departed. And now a void is
left and can never be filled.
Jane and Emma's
caregiver, Jenell, had started painting shoes for Emma (and Anna) with Zebras,
monkeys and bumblebees and had thought of selling them with an online business. But with Emma's untimely passing they were
unsure they were ready and able to continue with their plans. But soon they realized that by painting the
shoes they could keep Emma's memory alive and be able to tell her story while
also helping fight the disease she suffered from.
Jane has since
started her business selling snanimals, infant and toddler sneakers adorned
with all of the animals, insects and spiders Emma loved. 5% of her online sales goes to the pulmonary
hypertension association in Emma's memory to help find a cure.
Please have a
look at her site and support her efforts. http://www.snanimals.com
Jane has kindly
offered to give away a pair of sneakers (readers choice) to one lucky blog
reader.
Please email me
on soclosecomp@gmail.com with
‘snanimals give away’ in the subject line and I will pick a winner next
weekend.
Thanks to all of you for supporting each other and good luck!
Jane's babiesonline page here
Emma's care page can be found here
(The user would have to sign in first but then could read Emma's full journey from July of 05 when she was diagnosed to now, living without her.)
Oh, those are too adorable. But alas, my children are way too old and big for such a cute pair of sneaks, so I'll let someone else win!
Posted by: margalit | 27 April 2007 at 09:33 AM
They are lovely! I have a brood of God-children and always on the lookout to find new and original gifts! Many thanks for doing this! I like it. It is a great alternative outlet for all your creative friends!
Posted by: Jazz | 27 April 2007 at 11:37 AM
Oh, gosh, those are darling. I just ordered a pair of kitty ones for Miss Pink and can't wait to get them. I'm just sick at heart for Jane and her family and wish them well.
Posted by: pink | 27 April 2007 at 01:39 PM
I got the Anna Banana monkey shoes - for my little monkey (Anna)
Also - the butterfly basket.
Posted by: kay | 27 April 2007 at 03:54 PM
what a sad story- tertia, you truly are one special lady!
Posted by: angel | 28 April 2007 at 03:54 PM
Yes, I am familiar with little Emma as I used to read her care page. I'm glad Jane is doing this to keep Emma's memory alive and help other people that suffer from the same disease.
Posted by: Claudia | 30 April 2007 at 05:26 AM