This is a story of a beautiful boy, Gabriel Paul - born on Christmas Eve 2000. An angel sent to us by God.
Gabe is a very sick boy, although he doesn't know it - cogitatively he is a three year old - full of laughter and joy - but in actuality he is 12 years old. His life has been plagued by a fatal disease - Neimann Pick Type C - there is no cure.
He suffers from severe seizures, muscle weakness and brain deterioration. His life has been a filled with hospitals, doctors, tests, surgeries and the list goes on.
At this time Gabe is in liver failure and we just recently learned that he had developed two tumors - one on his brain the other on his liver. For now they can't remove them because he is too sick to sustain the surgery.
Gabe is currently participating in an investigational study at Duke hospital in an effort to boost his ability to create platelets.
There are so many expenses associated with his treatment that his family can't bear the financial burden any longer. They live in poverty - but the children are not even aware that they do. You see, their Mother, Jennifer, my daughter makes a happy home for them no matter what. I do all that I can financially, but now it is just not enough.
I’d like to tell you a little more about my amazing daughter Jennifer. She is more than just a daughter; she is my friend, the mother of my seven grandchildren. She works tirelessly to ensure that all of her children are raised in an atmosphere of love and cooperation. She teaches her children the value of high morals, respect and a sense of community. Her home is filled with love and a sense of tremendous cooperation. In addition to Gabe (12), my grandchildren, Jacob (18), Peyton (13), Emma (8), Thomas (6), Nicholas (5) and Morgan (3) are well loved and it is amazing how they all pull together to take care of each other. When people hear how many children there are and wonder how everything gets done – they are wowed when I tell them the truth…God gives the right children to the right mothers, there are no mistakes; and he gives their mother all of the strength, wisdom and love needed to raise a beautiful family and brothers and sisters that are capable and dedicated. I couldn’t be more proud.
They need help - we are asking for your help. YOU have a chance to change the lives of a family with your generosity. Please, won't you look deep in your heart and decide to be the change you want to see in the world.
Please give - generously - pray hard for us. We need the kindness of strangers more now than ever before. Be there for Gabe and his family as we would and will be there for you and yours.
In God's loving name,
Maurice
