Well, our first annual Rylee's Rally has come and gone...and we are already looking forward to next year! We had 57 vendors, and just shy of 500 people come through the doors Saturday.
It was so exciting, watching all the vendors set up-Make A Wish, local specialty clinics and specialists, Shriners and Cabell Huntington Hospital pediatric services, local therapists, and many others. Amazing that so many would come out, spend their Saturday helping families of special needs children. But, nothing prepared us for all the families that attended! It was so overwhelming to meet everyone. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry for all my excitement.
All the families were able to network with area services and agencies-getting the care they need and deserve for their child. We had families from the local area and also Columbus, Louisville, Inez, Pt. Pleasant, and even as far away as New York. Everyone-local media outlets, vendors, and the families-ensured that not only did we have a great turn out, but that our time was productive and the families learned alot about available resources. There's no way we could have accomplished everything without each person's help.
One mommy grabbed me as she was leaving and thanked me, big tears in her eyes. Her daughter was eight and they had no idea these services were in place.
I scrambled around each booth, introducing myself and thanking vendors, but also to grab information for our own family. When I came home Saturday night I dumped everything out on the living room floor and just started crying. All I could think of was-wow, this is what all the families went home with! What would our life have been like if we'd had all this when Rylee first came home? How awesome to think that a parent went home with a lighter heart, knowing that Monday morning they could call someone and get help!
To everyone involved-thankyou for giving your time and talents. Also to all our prayer warriors-the weather was perfect and the turn out beyond expectations. Guess that is what the Lord means when He says He wants to give us "exceeding abundant."
We already have free food promised for next year and will be working on procuring a bigger venue (for free?) next year. Look out Civic Center...here we come!
Rylee is doing great. She and Ryann are anxious to start our Disney trip. Ryann crawls up in Rylee's bed and speaks "handicap" to her, gabbing in their language about the trip. Ryann's wonderful kindergarten teacher has also unknowingly taught Ryann a new phrase. When waiting on Rylee to fill her diaper the other night, Ryann looked at Rylee and said, "Come on Rylee, before I retire." Very amusing coming out of a five year old's mouth. Rylee is responding more during her therapies-grousing and grumping during, and charming us with grins when she knows it is all over. She is still trying to cut a front tooth which we can see, mocking us right under her gums. We are getting ready to adjust her wheelchair again since she is so long!
Being there Saturday and meeting those sweet families and then holding some of the little ones just reminded me again of how God has blessed us and how far Rylee has come.
We'll keep you posted, and as always, thankful for good friends and family!
It was so exciting, watching all the vendors set up-Make A Wish, local specialty clinics and specialists, Shriners and Cabell Huntington Hospital pediatric services, local therapists, and many others. Amazing that so many would come out, spend their Saturday helping families of special needs children. But, nothing prepared us for all the families that attended! It was so overwhelming to meet everyone. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry for all my excitement.
All the families were able to network with area services and agencies-getting the care they need and deserve for their child. We had families from the local area and also Columbus, Louisville, Inez, Pt. Pleasant, and even as far away as New York. Everyone-local media outlets, vendors, and the families-ensured that not only did we have a great turn out, but that our time was productive and the families learned alot about available resources. There's no way we could have accomplished everything without each person's help.
One mommy grabbed me as she was leaving and thanked me, big tears in her eyes. Her daughter was eight and they had no idea these services were in place.
I scrambled around each booth, introducing myself and thanking vendors, but also to grab information for our own family. When I came home Saturday night I dumped everything out on the living room floor and just started crying. All I could think of was-wow, this is what all the families went home with! What would our life have been like if we'd had all this when Rylee first came home? How awesome to think that a parent went home with a lighter heart, knowing that Monday morning they could call someone and get help!
To everyone involved-thankyou for giving your time and talents. Also to all our prayer warriors-the weather was perfect and the turn out beyond expectations. Guess that is what the Lord means when He says He wants to give us "exceeding abundant."
We already have free food promised for next year and will be working on procuring a bigger venue (for free?) next year. Look out Civic Center...here we come!
Rylee is doing great. She and Ryann are anxious to start our Disney trip. Ryann crawls up in Rylee's bed and speaks "handicap" to her, gabbing in their language about the trip. Ryann's wonderful kindergarten teacher has also unknowingly taught Ryann a new phrase. When waiting on Rylee to fill her diaper the other night, Ryann looked at Rylee and said, "Come on Rylee, before I retire." Very amusing coming out of a five year old's mouth. Rylee is responding more during her therapies-grousing and grumping during, and charming us with grins when she knows it is all over. She is still trying to cut a front tooth which we can see, mocking us right under her gums. We are getting ready to adjust her wheelchair again since she is so long!
Being there Saturday and meeting those sweet families and then holding some of the little ones just reminded me again of how God has blessed us and how far Rylee has come.
We'll keep you posted, and as always, thankful for good friends and family!
5 comments:
It was so wonderful to be a part of Rylee's Rally on Saturday. Thank you again for inviting us to be a part of it. Cant wait for next year!!! Love you guys!
This is Emma's Dad, Charles. I am very glad the Rylee's Rally went great. Please keep up and keep going with the good work your doing. I am planning on helping out next years event. please keep me posted. Just a note, Emma make it through the double transplant. The wife will be update the website. Have a blessed day. Charles Vannatter
Just wanted to say that Rylee's Rally was so over whelming and awesome. You all did a great job. The Cabell County 911 Center would not like to be thanked, we would like to thank you for the invitation to be involved. We also took a great deal of information and knowledge away from this rally and enjoyed so much being apart of it. So thank you again.
ps... I also go to throw in there to alot of people that Rylee is one of precious neices.
Uncle Steve
I'm so proud of you guys for putting on Rylee's Rally! You continue to be an inspiration to so many.
Much Love,
Ryan
Wow! God is so good. He has truley blessed you and your family. I love reading about how He at work in your family and how many lives He is allowing you all to be a part of. Congratulations on the success of the Rally and on looking ahead to next year's event. Will join with you in prayer for a bigger and better event next year. Have a great time on your Disney adventure. Continuing to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Becky Mitchell
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