Women for AMC Awareness - About Us:
Women for AMC Awareness-
Finally, a significant way for me to help
MaryBeth told me she wanted to help a family get to the AMC convention held in Columbus this July. “They need the support even more than I do and they can’t afford to travel here from Texas. What do you think about having a fundraiser to help with their travel expenses and to raise money to offset the convention costs?”
Finally, a substantial way of helping my friend appeared! And, after enlisting the help from my wonderful husband/website designer and my talented & creative sister-in-law, Women for AMC Awareness was born.
I have a very dear friend, MaryBeth Eberhard. We met and became friends while our oldest boys were in preschool together. MaryBeth and I would often get all our children together to play. This is how I came to meet Gabriel. Gabe is a typical 2 year old in that he is stubborn and unreasonable at times, however, Gabe has a sense of humor that sets him apart from other toddlers. For example, a few days before his second birthday, he would joke, “I’m gonna be 3,” when asked how old he was going to turn. In addition to his wit, Gabe has a condition that sets him apart from his peers. Gabe was born with Arthrogryposis, a condition that prevents him from using his arms and legs. Gabe is faced with many obstacles because of this, but he faces those challenges head on and with determination.
A crucial factor in Gabe’s attitude is his loving and equally determined parents, MaryBeth and Ryan. Their patience and their ability to push Gabe past his perceived limits, albeit often agonizing to watch him struggle, is what has shaped Gabe into the child he is.
The Eberhards are facing an enormous hurdle this summer. Beginning in June Gabe will undergo further surgeries on his legs in hope of straightening them. For 16 months Gabe will have casts on his legs, which will greatly inhibit his ability to play with toys as he does now. Not only does Gabe have surgeries with a painful recovery ahead of him, but Ryan and MaryBeth must watch as he tries to relearn how to interact with his surroundings. Furthermore, the financial burden is phenomenal due to having to fly to Pennsylvania every two weeks during this 16 month period. What is amazing to me is their attitude about all that lies ahead as well as all that they have already overcome. Of course they feel stress and are overwhelmed at times, but overall they are so assured in their decisions for his care and so optimistic about the future.
In addition to preparing for Gabe’s surgeries, MaryBeth has been consumed with planning for the AMC Support Convention that will take place in Columbus this July. This is the third annual national convention and she is committed to making it meaningful for all who attend. More so, she is passionate about making sure that all families affected by AMC can attend regardless of their financial circumstances.
I had been searching for a way to help MaryBeth. I’ve watched her children and been a supportive listener, but she does the same for me. I didn’t count those things as being considerably helpful or showing my appreciation for our friendship. However, when MaryBeth asked if I would help with a fundraiser to benefit families in need of financial assistance to be able to attend the convention, a light bulb went off! Finally, there was something meaningful I could do to help.
My sister-in-law, Nancy, who was gracious enough to spend an entire Sunday working on this new project, came up with a name and a logo. Together we wrote an ad for the Dispatch, created a flyer, and started to hammer out some details for this event. After businesses began to donate, everything seemed to fall into place. MaryBeth, Nancy and I have been working together to make this fundraiser a success, and I can’t think of a better way to honor my friend and Gabe.
Thank you for considering this cause. We hope to see you at the First Annual Women’s Evening!
Melanie