Sunday, December 16, 2012

A Carseat Cover for Charlie

 Meet Charlie.

Photo courtesy of Gold Hope Project


Yup...feast your eyes on this most amazing gorgeousness!!  He is completely adorable and the barely three month old son of my friend, Jessica, who also blogs at Baby Got Cake with her partner in crime, Brandi.  Things are a bit quiet over there because, as you can see, she has her hands full with this little guy.


If you are wondering why he has all the tubing?  He needs it to survive.  The nasty scar on his head?  A shunt had to be placed in his brain to drain excessive fluid.  He has been diagnosed with Juvenile Leukemia (JMML).  Only 25 children are diagnosed with this disease a year.  Not only is it rare...it is usually rare for a baby to be diagnosed this early.  To top it off, he is extra special because he has a NEW leukemia.  A rare genetic mutation that the doctors have never seen before.  Therefore, his treatment and reactions to this world are unknown.  I have cursed the phrase "genetic mutation" myself, since June 2009, when our Jamie was diagnosed with a genetic mutation Thanatophoric Dysplasia

Lottery and lightening strike odds here, people. 

Little did Jessica know that I was looking for a way to help her out.  When she inquired on Facebook if anyone knew any good links for car-seat covers, I first teased her about it not being very cold in Seattle, because that is how she and I communicate.  Then she told me that she really needed it for privacy.  Despite all of his tubing and the fact that, visibly, he is ill, people still like to get up close and personal into Charlie's space.  Being that he is immunocompromised?  Space is important!

I jumped at the chance to make one for him!



I told her to stop all inquiries.  I showed her some fabric selections. Searched for tutorials.



I settled on the tutorial from Cluck, Cluck, Sew.  
I like the simplified rounded corners and really simple instructions on the handles.



I borrowed Button's carseat for placement of the handles.

Yes, my wee guy is still in his infant car seat, and rear-facing.  He is only 22lbs at 22 months.
  We grow them small around these parts.


This project took 45 minutes TOPS from the time I pulled fabrics to the time I was printing my label for a flat rate package.  It would have been 30 minutes if I hadn't personalized it!




I had planned to post this on Friday.  I am still recovering and busy trying to decorate and play "Santa" and knew that I wanted something special to say since I have been missing the past few weeks.  But when I was about to post it, the horrible tragedy happened in Newtown, Connecticut.  I have to admit...it brought a lot of feelings about my Jamie Lynn and the "new normal" the parents of those children will have to find. 
 God bless them in the hours, days, weeks, months, and years to come.

Since we can't help those poor babies...I figured posting Charlie's story tonight would be a perfect way for those who are looking for ways to help those that still need us here on Earth.

 I, personally, always feel the necessity to DO something.  

Photo courtesy of Gold Hope Project

How can you help?

  • Go like and follow Prayers for Charlie Facebook page.  There are updates on his health status.  Photos.  There are also links to a Fundraiser a few friends put together. The costs that his parents have to incur on top of the medical expenses are ginormous....gas, parking, or bus passes to get to the MANY appointments they have a week. Christmas is going to be small for his two older siblings. There is also a great link to the local Seattle news station that did a report featuring Charlie!
  • Go check out Gold Hope Project's facebook page.  It is organized by a group of photographers that are taking free photographs to bring awareness to the plight of all the children that are fighting cancer.  This is so important to me because I can never express my gratitude enough for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization that came and took photos of our daughter at birth. Our only photographs of her.
  •  Be The Match  Check out how you can become a bone marrow donor.  Not just for Charlie, but the many other children fighting leukemia and other childhood cancers.  They need you!

 Thank you for reading this far! 

 I truly believe that every seamstress, quilter, and crafter can use their talents to make this world a great place.  I hope that the carseat cover really truly helps her...it still does not seem enough...and if anyone knows me, it will probably not be the end of what I send Charlie and his family's way!







8 comments:

  1. What a great idea you had Heidi!! We pray for Charlie.

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  2. I love it. Glad Charlie is going to have his privacy.

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  3. Heidi, that is the perfect car seat cover for Charlie. My heart has been breaking for all the families this weekend. My hope is that the US will learn, I pray that they will learn from this, and not let these lives be lost and have not learnt from it. I feel blessed to live here and not have that fear every day when I let my children walk out the door.

    Charlie and his family are in my thoughts. Such a precious little boy.

    hugs

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  4. Charlie is a gorgeous child! He will be in our prayers!

    I love the carseat cover, and your heart for others. :)

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  5. oh heidi, you are so sweet. thank you for sharing his story. <3

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I cannot wait to hear what you have to say! Seriously! It makes my day!

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