Source: ROCOR Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America
Trying to backtrack to where it all started, I unearthed an email from the Diocesan Secretary Archpriest Gregory Joyce, saying: “XB! Let's talk when you can”.
So, yes, it was the Monday of the Third Week of Pascha when Fr Gregory forwarded me a letter from Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan asking someone in the American Midwest to help a young girl who needs surgery in St Louis. Then Anna Powers, a parishioner of the Synodal cathedral, went over the facts: “Sophia is a 9 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy. There is a physician in St Louis who is a renowned specialist and does surgeries that change children’s lives. The cost of the surgery is far beyond the family's capacity. In addition to that, they would need accommodation in St Louis and help with getting around, etc. Perhaps there is a family in St. Louis that can host them? Also, perhaps this donation campaign can be circulated among the community? I am sure Sophia and her Mom would greatly appreciate it, and this is a unique opportunity for us to partake in something that will be truly life changing and literally help Sophia walk.”
Of course, we could host the family, provide transportation and any other assistance the family would need. But could we do more, since the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery has a price tag around $50,000.00 and the family is struggling to raise even a portion of the needed amount?
... Read the rest at ROCOR Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America.
