Monday, July 24, 2017

#HikeForGrayson

Hello, my friends!  Today, I have a super special post for you!  A little over a year ago, I started following the story of a local three year old little boy Grayson Kemp who was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs Disease which is a "rare genetic condition where the lack of key enzymes results in progressive cell damage and neurological disorder.  There is no known cure." (Quote taken from Grayson's Go Fund Me Page.)  I have become good friends with Grayson's mom, Felicia.  When she decided to create a campaign called Hike For Grayson, you know we were all for it!


Felicia picked hiking because she knows that Grayson loves to be outside and spend time with his family.  He's never been able to walk so they take him on hikes in carriers.  The disease is taking Grayson's eyesight but they know he enjoys feeling the sun and breeze on his face.  Felicia wants people to see, hike, and explore places that Grayson will never get to go to.

The Kemp Family with local TV host doing a segment for Goodday Sacramento 

I've asked numerous times to fundraise for this family and she always tells me to have the money donated to Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation never asking for anything for herself or her family.  She does not want to see this happen to another family and is passionate about finding a cure.  Here's how to help (copied from Felicia's Blog):

The hike for Grayson challenge:
  1. Make a tax deductible donation to the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation (CTSF)(curetay-sachs.org);
  2. Go on a hike and snap a photo;
  3. Post photo on social media (FB/Twitter/Instagram/etc.) with #hikeforgrayson (public post, please); and
  4. Tag @curetaysachsfoundation + challenge at least two friends to hike for Grayson!

Felicia also said that a hike doesn't have to be miles in the wilderness.  Explore trails in your town or take a walk around your neighborhood.  Whatever suits your lifestyle!  

Our family took a hike on a trail while we were on our Glamping Trip.  We hiked down the trail to the creek to explore.  Of course, we had to collect rocks because my kids love collecting rocks.  We brought binoculars because of course we did.  





The Kemp family is off to their Make A Wish trip on Wednesday and I would love for them to return to a lot of new #hikeforgrayson posts on social media and donations for Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation.  This was a fun and meaningful way to really value the time I have with my children while teaching them about service.

A few lovely bloggers are joining me today to share their hikes for Grayson too!  Please check them out!
Not in Jersey
Little Dove
Deer and Daisy



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5 comments:

  1. Your family is sooo beautiful!

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  2. Such an amazing way to raise awareness of Tay-Sachs disease.

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  3. Beautiful hike and I love how you shared your connection to the family, and how they do not want more for themselves, but only more to cure this disease!

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  4. It looks like it was a beautiful hike! And such a great idea to bring binoculars!

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  5. What a lovely area! And I'm off to read up on Grayson!

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