It’s a common theme on my blog–I continually share my gratitude for all of the support and prayers my family receives. I may sound like a broken record, but until you’ve been in my shoes, it’s hard to understand how thankful we truly are. Thousands of people have helped us out along the way and there is just no way to personally make sure that each and every one of you hears, “thank you”. Hence, why I tend to mention it weekly on the blog!
I’ve always been active in the community, dating back to my childhood, when I would take part in walks for charity. Over the years, I became involved in several organizations, thanks to my ties to the media. I used to host the MDA Telethon and grew attached to the children I met living with muscular dystrophy. I became a wish granter through Make-A-Wish, making dreams come true for children facing a tough road ahead. But until this past year, I didn’t realize how much these organizations mean to some people. There are thousands of charities out there, each one with the purpose of helping others. How do you choose which ones to support? My Facebook feed often fills up with friends sharing their fundraising events, hoping to raising a few dollars for their cause. While I try to donate, I have never put much thought into why it’s so important to them. That is until now. Someone may be raising money for an MS charity because their mother has multiple sclerosis. Others may support a cancer charity because their friend passed away from the disease. It’s these deep connections that have many people trying to raise awareness and funds for a cause near and dear to their heart.
After years in the media, I find myself in uncharted territory. Instead of being on camera, interviewing families who benefit from these causes, my family is the one who has deeply benefited from a charity. We are a “Children’s Miracle Network” family. My children experienced, first hand, where the CMN money goes. The Nicu at St. John’s is stocked with receiving blankets, toys and other things to make a patient more comfortable during their stay…much of it possible thanks to donations. Remember that picture of Peyton in her sleep sack? It kept my daughter warm, when her tiny body couldn’t do it on her own. Many of those sleep sacks come from donations.
Our Nicu journey has led to a new appreciation for charity. My miracle child is a face for one of the many amazing charities that better the lives of so many people. We are grateful to become part of the CMN family. Through it, we have already met some wonderful volunteers and staff, as well as connected with other families who have a miracle child of their own. And while monetary donations help, there are so many other ways to give back. From volunteering, to taking part in charitable events, the opportunities are endless. So the next time you think of giving back to some organization, picture my family. There are many others just like us, who are beyond grateful for the generosity of others.
Next weekend, Ryan and I are taking part in the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon in Springfield. The Children’s Miracle Network has several relay teams, who are raising money for the hospital where my family spent several months. We are part of “Team Princess Peyton”, along with some wonderful friends who are running in honor of our triplets. Peyton will be staying home for this race, but I know she’ll be running the streets of Springfield in spirit, along with Abby and Parker. This is just the beginning for us. With thousands of people lending a hand and supporting my family, this is just one way we can start paying it forward.
Peyton is growing like a weed and getting more chubby roles every week! She just turned 9 months old and is probably around the 12 pound mark. She absolutely loves to babble (just like mom!) and seems to have full on conversations with Riley and her stuffed animals. Mr. Skry will be putting together the high chair soon, as we hope to start introducing foods to Miss P! We’re just waiting for the OK from her doctors. I’ll leave you with some entertaining pictures. She is all smiles about 90% of the time, but she sure tells us when she is over it…she doesn’t hide her feelings!
You can see more pictures and updates on my Facebook page. Just click the link and “LIKE”: Stacey Skrysak’s Facebook Page
Reader Interactions
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] I recently mentioned on my blog, I am finding myself in uncharted territory. Instead of being on camera, interviewing families who […]
Hello Peyton you are a very Beautiful Blessed Baby I love hearing about your sweetness and how you are growing. Also love seeing your beautiful pictures. Your mommy is one of the sweetest kindest person I have ever known. Keep on being such a sweet good Baby for Mommy and Daddy. Love
she is such a cutie and beautiful just like her mom
Stacey, your photos get cuter and cuter of Princess Peyton! Love the one with the Oregon Duck too! That is very cool that you and Ryan are rinning in the marathon for the Children’s Miracle Network. I know that they helped all your babies and each of you through a crisis physically and heart wise. Hope the weather is good for this marathon. Give Peyton a big hug from us. One day I will get to meet her and I can not wait. Love, Aunt Mary and Uncle Mitch
Love the new pics.She is so darn adorable.
Good luck with the marathon and have fun.
Enjoy the new posts.
U r awesome!
jane
Stacey what an inspiration you are to others thanks for sharing this story and the many others on your journey with us. Miss P is so beautiful and I can see why CMN is so special to you and others may God bless you in the upcoming race and also with things coming up for Miss P. God is truly awesome.
I’m a part of a huge fan base for a television show. The website I run has thousands of followers. When it started to become popular, I decided I wanted to use my position on the website to raise money for charity. The majority of the sites dedicated to this television show donate to pet relief or St. Jude’s or the American Cancer Society which are all amazing causes, but I chose one close to my heart; the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. One of my dear friends has been struggling with Type 1 diabetes since she was 14 months old and my niece was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was just 10. A lot of the fans thought we would raise more money if we supported the same charities the actors do, but the fans who struggle or know someone who struggles with diabetes totally support our fundraiser. In the past three years, we’ve raised around $5000 and while that’s not much in the grand scheme of things, I’m proud of what my website has done for a cause that matters to me.
All that being said, kudos to you for giving back (and giving before). Charities are amazing and I’m glad to help support one.
CMN is a great organization. While we haven’t spent time in St John’s NICU, our family has spent many days on the 5th floor and the pediatric oncology clinic on the main floor….(I’m a friend of Dawn’s) and we have participated in the CMN telethon in the past, telling our story. Your Peyton is adorable. Love the blog.
Stacey, Peyton gets cuter with each update you post! It’s so nice to see how she’s thriving and doing so good. I just love her facial expressions..she sure has one great personality!!
You are a living doll . Wish I could give you a big hug..
Love reading the blog. Parent of a special needs child too, with a rare disease.
When we got our diagnosis in 2003, one of the next things out of the doctor’s mouth was, “… and you qualify for Make-a-Wish.” Gee, thanks, I thought.
In 2007 we spent a week at Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, Fla., with full privileges to more things than we had time to do, mainly Disney and Universal. It could not have been a better time.
I would encourage anybody who has a chance to do something for Make-a-Wish to do it.
Keep up the good work, Peyton and parents !!
I’m so glad to see how well your Princess is doing! The organization that I feel drawn to because of my daughters’ NICU experience is March of Dimes. I began to fear that my girls were tiring of hearing about why I valued it until one of my daughters caught sight of one of their donation cards at the grocery store and said, “That’s the people who helped us when we were babies, right?” Yes, yes, yes!