Hi, welcome to the TEAM COLLIN blog! This is the founding year of TEAM COLLIN and we are so glad you have taken the time to find out what we are all about. On December 5, 2010 we will be running the Dallas White Rock Marathon to raise money and awareness for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
On May 11, 2009, God blessed us with our second son, Collin Jackson. Collin was born perfectly, well perfectly in his maker's eyes. Collin was born with a rare condition called Amniotic Band Syndrome, affecting both of his hands and his left wrist. ABS is when fibrous amniotic bands cause fetal parts (usually limbs or digits) to get entrapped within these bands while in utero. In other words, before Collin was born his fingers and wrist were caught up and entangled in string-like bands, causing some of his fingers to be underdeveloped and other abnormalities that were present at birth.
You can imagine the shock and heartbreak we felt for Collin. The days following his birth were emotionally exhausting as we adjusted to a new kind of normal. We had to break the news to family and friends and at the same time we were grieving the loss of normalcy for our child. From that day forward we have been on a new journey. A journey of raising a child with physical differences. A journey I knew nothing about nor thought I would ever be on, but a journey that has caused me to rely on the Lord more than ever. We have experienced some really hard days as well as days full of joy but we have faith that this journey has purpose. We believe that God will receive glory through Collin's life and our family's as we walk down a path that isn't so common. I never doubted God but I questioned him on why? As a mother my heart ached so much for my child. But his heavenly Father loves him even more than I do and I was reminded that our faith doesn't lie in our circumstances or in our physical bodies it lies in our Sovereign God.
We believe that God can work in many ways and we believe He blessed us with a wonderful hospital that Collin was accepted into just days after he was born. Our pediatrician informed us that she had made a referral for Collin to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Within 2 days we received our acceptance letter and were informed that TSRHC treats all of their patients without ever charging their families a single penny.
He became a patient at Scottish Rite when he was only 3 weeks old to have his hands evaluated. He has since been back twice and will have his first of many surgeries in September of this year. For 85 years, Scottish Rite has provided care to Texas children for free. As a mother to one of these children, I cannot express what a gift this free care has been throughout these emotional and stressful times.
The Dallas White Rock Marathon's main beneficiary is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. So we have committed to run, raise money, and bring awareness to this amazing place that does amazing things for families like ours everyday!
You can imagine the shock and heartbreak we felt for Collin. The days following his birth were emotionally exhausting as we adjusted to a new kind of normal. We had to break the news to family and friends and at the same time we were grieving the loss of normalcy for our child. From that day forward we have been on a new journey. A journey of raising a child with physical differences. A journey I knew nothing about nor thought I would ever be on, but a journey that has caused me to rely on the Lord more than ever. We have experienced some really hard days as well as days full of joy but we have faith that this journey has purpose. We believe that God will receive glory through Collin's life and our family's as we walk down a path that isn't so common. I never doubted God but I questioned him on why? As a mother my heart ached so much for my child. But his heavenly Father loves him even more than I do and I was reminded that our faith doesn't lie in our circumstances or in our physical bodies it lies in our Sovereign God.
We believe that God can work in many ways and we believe He blessed us with a wonderful hospital that Collin was accepted into just days after he was born. Our pediatrician informed us that she had made a referral for Collin to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Within 2 days we received our acceptance letter and were informed that TSRHC treats all of their patients without ever charging their families a single penny.
He became a patient at Scottish Rite when he was only 3 weeks old to have his hands evaluated. He has since been back twice and will have his first of many surgeries in September of this year. For 85 years, Scottish Rite has provided care to Texas children for free. As a mother to one of these children, I cannot express what a gift this free care has been throughout these emotional and stressful times.
The Dallas White Rock Marathon's main beneficiary is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. So we have committed to run, raise money, and bring awareness to this amazing place that does amazing things for families like ours everyday!
Our goal is to have 50+ runners and raise $5000 to donate to Scottish Rite in Collin's honor as a way to give back for everything they have and will do for Collin and other children who need their care! But don't worry if you are not a runner, there are several ways to join Team Collin. (Just click on the link above that says Join our Team)
