I have always loved this poem.  I heard it for the first time some 25 years ago when I was a teenager.  It has proven to be true in so many ways throughout my life.  Whether is was by my actions, in how I treated others, or how others made a difference in my life. 

People come and go for various reasons in our lives.  For me as a child, it was by way of moving around the United States to different places.  Everyone of the places I lived had an incredible impact on the lessons I learned throughout my life to help me become the person I am today.  Tanner, child had the same experience, in moving around a lot when he was little as we were finding our way and our career path in life.  There are many people who crossed our paths who made an difference in Tanner’s life.  We have told you stories for the better and for the worse.  As I think of our Journey we have had in our life with Tourette’s Syndrome,  I get teary eyed thinking of the wonderful families and people who have crossed our path on our journey, and left HUGE footprints on our hearts to help us learn and grow.  I know some it was because it was there life’s work, and their job to diagnosis and treat,  other’s is was their job, and their passion to make a difference in another person’s life,  and yet others had children and family members who were struggling  just as we were, but gave the love and support we needed to make it through to the next level of our Journey.

Today, I received an email from a friend, who offered to donate the last bit of money we needed to reach our goal this week.  It is with a grateful and humble heart that I see the footprints that have been left on our family’s heart on this next leg of our journey.  It was difficult to ask other’s to help us with this leg.  Our Family is not one to ask for money, but in our current situation, there really was no other way to reach our goal, and help fulfil Tanner’s dream.  I didn’t want to have to tell him one more time; we didn’t have the money.    I also wanted to make sure Tanner understood the value of gratitude, and expressing his appreciation to all the people who have stepped forward to help us.  He has done a wonderful job of doing just that by making a big effort to see where we were at each week and make sure to write a thank you note to each and every person.

We are incredibly lucky to have been given this opportunity, but to also have such wonderful friends and collegues, who have made sacrifices along with us, to help us on our way.  We have been overwhelmed with the generosity, kindness and love you have all shown to us.  Your concern to make sure we reached our goal, and your support to encourage Tanner on his next leg of the race. 

Thank you so much for making such a difference in our lives,

  for leaving this HUGE footprint on our hearts,

 and please know,

we will never, ever be the same again.

Our Special Thanks goes out to-

Karena Lapray- A Pleasant Sunday

Krueger Insurance Agency

Angela Tippets- Scentsy Wickless Candles
Horan Associates
Gina Prickel -Sibcy Cline Realtors
Martha Newberry- Scentsy Wickless Candles
Matt Schuster- First National Merchant Solutions
Brandon Allen
Bob and Virginia Baker
Bruce & Kathy Holtgren
MaryAnne Weber
Kaufmann Family
Garvie Family
Talbert Family
Jensen Family
Stansbury Family
Snowden Family
Coss Family
Dodge Family
Husted Family
Dalziel Family
Breinholt Family

 O’Neal Family

Tanner

Congratulations to Tanner Hutchison, from Milford High School, for being chosen from applicants throughout the state of Ohio, to become a TSA Youth Ambassador! He will be traveling to VA in April to attend training at the TSA National Convention and also have a Trip to the Hill in Washington DC. He will be a great Youth Leader for TSA of Ohio!

FAO Basket Co would like to congratulate Tanner, for his perseverance and hard work in overcoming great obstacles with his Tourettes Syndrome over the past 6 years since he was diagnosed.

Tanner has a passion for helping others, and educating others about Tourettes Syndrome. It is because of his life experiences, and because he has a little brother who was diagnosed with TS too.

Fab Five 2010

He chose to apply to be an Ambassador for the Tourettes Association. He wants to make sure that other kids don’t have to feel alone in their Journey with Tourettes, like he did for so many years. He wants to educate communities and put to rest all the weird ideas that others may have about what Tourettes Syndrome, and how it affects those who have it. He wants to help others understand that a little empathy and compassion, and education can go a long way to putting to rest myths about the unknown.

Tanner will be traveling throughout the state of Ohio, to give FREE presentations to any schools, or communities who would like to learn more about Tourettes Syndrome. He personally will be answering questions, and educating, and demonstrating what Tourettes Syndrome is, what other disorders are common to have with TS, and how it feels to have it.

It is because of Tanner’s enthusiasm and dedication to help others, that FAO Basket Co, is offering to sponsor Tanner on his trip to Virginia in April for his training, and the National TSA Convention. Tanner and his parents need to come up with some of their expenses to make the journey there.

FAO Basket Co is offering to donate 100% of it’s profits from now until March 30th or until they have reached their goal of $1000.00 to cover their expenses.

Valentines Day, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and other holidays are coming up soon. If you are thinking of sending a gift, think of ordering from FAO Basket Co. We will deliver to the Cincinnati area, and also offer shipping as well, in the continental US. You will be helping a boys dream come true, and supporting a good and true cause from the heart. We couldn’t be more Proud to sponsor such a great kid.

Don’t forget to pass the word on too. We would love as many people to know about Tanner’s quest, and about Tourettes Syndrome. It’s for a good cause so pay it forward.

If you are curious about Tanner, and his story, you can check back with us as we post some “Get to know T facts” through out the coming days. You can hear his story.  You can get to know his family, by clicking here www.hutchbunchhappenings.blogspot.com. (December 2007)  If you want to learn more about Tanner’s cause, and Tourettes Syndrome you can click here- http://www.tsa-usa.org/ or you can see TSA-Ohio here- http://www.tsaohio.org/TSASite/default.htm.   If you are a family with a child with TS or you would like to make arrangements for Tanner to come and speak to your community group, school, church group or family,  you can contact www.tsaohio.org.  They will be scheduling and arranging any inservices or speaking events on Tanner’s behalf.  Don’t  forget to leave a comment, for Tanner.  We will be sure to pass it on to him. 

Don’t forget 100% of the profits for our sales until March 30 or until Tanner reachs his goal will be given to Tanner’s Youth Ambassador fund to help him pay for his family’s travel expenses.  If your company would like to sponsor or donate to Tanner’s fund, send us an email and we will get the information to Tanner’s Family to contact you.  Pay it forward- for Tanner!!