The Bakers had provided foster care in their county for two years when 3 month-old Grace came into their home.
Grace had many congenital anomalies, the most dire were heart defects. It took only a day before the Bakers wrote a letter of intent to adopt Grace… she was loved instantly, and unconditionally.
The initial goal was to try and keep her well until she could have heart repair surgery at age eight. They soon learned Grace's little heart would not make it that long. At age two, Grace was scheduled for surgery at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
The Bakers have three other children and desperately wanted to keep the family together during Grace's operation, recovery and follow-up visits, but the financial burden was too great. Their First Steps program coordinator suggested the Bakers call About Special Kids.
An ASK parent liaison from ASK thought the Baker's would qualify for a grant through Easter Seals. The application was made and the grant awarded to the Bakers. The entire family helped support little Grace through her surgery, treatment and recovery. Having the love of her family present through her entire ordeal, helped Grace's healing and recovery.
ASK continues to keep in touch with the Bakers, supporting and guiding them as Grace continues to progress. ASK also helps her brother, Noah, with his asthma and other issues. ASK is a family-centered organization that realizes the needs of the entire family have to be addressed in order to have a better outcome for the child.