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| Photo Credit: Kate Leong |
I have been following Kate Leong's blog, Chasing Rainbows, for a few months now. I don't know the family personally, but I've been continually inspired by them. Kate writes a lot about her 5 year old son, Gavin, who often reminded me of Liam, in the same way that most kids with special needs do. There is an extra twinkle in their eyes, as if their souls are older, wiser, closer to God in some unexplainable way.
On Wednesday, Gavin stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Yesterday, on Kate's 43rd birthday, he was officially pronounced dead.
A week ago Kate was posting videos of Gavin dancing for the first time. Today, they are donating his organs. It is simply too much to bear, and yet. And yet. Gavin's warrior Mama carries on. Kate posted this on her FB page yesterday:
Ed and I will be announcing our choices for "in lieu of flowers" donations to honor Gavin in a few days, but today is my birthday and this is all about me. I've come up with a special, totally FREE way to honor my sweet son who could inspire the most profound emotion without ever saying a word. I'm asking you to help someone... document it with words and or a photo... and place it on the Chasing Rainbows Facebook Page. Then be sure to check the page often to get inspired by the outpouring of love. Here are some great ideas for you... Find a special needs classroom in your community. These are usually low funded and always looking for donations. Perhaps you have toys your kids don't play with anymore that could be used in the classroom or during therapy. Random crayons that are laying around. I know we always needed rug gripper to place under Gavin's behind when he sat - that's a good need. Do you know a special needs Mom in your neighborhood? Church? School? Tell her you'd like to make dinner for her family. What night would work? Then tell her the only requirement is they have to give a "cheers toast" to Gavin during dinner. Help someone struggling to unload groceries into their car in the rain. Donate clothes to a women's shelter. Check with your local children's hospital for volunteer opportunities - even if it's just for two hours of your life. Save all of your magazines and bring a big stash to your local hospital. You have no idea how helpful that is to parents who spend days, weeks or months (as I did when Gavin was a baby) sitting in their child's hospital room. These are just some ideas... be creative! And think of Gavin when you do it. Share his story with the person you are blessing. Tell them that Gavin Leong changed the world with little acts of courage, determination and a sweet smile... without ever saying a word. And then ask them to pay it forward to honor his legacy. This would be the best birthday gift you could give me. There is no time frame - you could post something today or a year from now or five years from now. Thank you for helping me to honor my amazing little boy. And feel free to share this anywhere you want!
So, in honor of Gavin, we donated to my cousin Shannon's classroom (she happens to be a special education teacher).
Kate and her husband's grace and strenghth during these last few unimaginable days has been nothing less than heroic. My heart is breaking for them.
About an hour ago, Superhero Gavin was off to save lives.
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| Photo Credit: Kate Leong |
