The Hunter's Heroes blog would like to welcome team member Ayana Najah Fann and thank her for today's contribution!
I first met the Darlage family about a month ago when I came across the video Monica had posted of the struggles she and Brian go through to load Hunter into their current vehicle. I immediately fell in love with this dear boy and his family. Monica has been an inspiration to me. I have no idea how she could watch her son go through so much and still remain so strong for him. Many would have given up and put him in a home or had outside care come in, but Monica loves all her children and does what it takes to raise Hunter in as normal as possible conditions. I was even more intrigued by her when I found out Hunter is the youngest of three and she has another child with Autism. Although high functioning, Braydon requires her help and care at times as well. I believe what impressed me the most though, is the fact that her oldest child Cheyenne, who has no disabilities gets the same time, love, care, and compassion as the boys do. Most parents would get so wrapped up in the special needs of their children that they would not give proper time to the “normal” child. This family does no such thing. All three children are loved and adored to the best of their abilities. I had the pleasure over the past few weeks to see Hunters smiles, triumphs, and also his fears. You can see the pain, fear, and frustration on this young mans face when he was in the hospital. You can see the pain in the videos of Monica moving him. Hunter knows enough to know it hurts and feel and comprehend what fear is, yet he is not able to comprehend why all this must happen. The anxiety he must face each time he is loaded up and carted off to some Doctor must be tremendous. I personally do not think I could watch my child suffer, yet Monica does it day after day in order to provide a life for her son.
Throughout the voting process, I got to know Monica better through our late night chats, keeping each other awake until 3 am waiting for the new voting day to begin. She spent many long nights promoting Hunters cause and getting the information out there for as many people to see as possible. I was amazed to know that something I had a part in, was such a success. I too sat up and watched the National Mobility website to see when the semi finalists were posted. The Darlage family touched my life so much that I too felt I had accomplished a personal victory when I saw the words ‘semi finalist’ under Hunters name. All of our hard work as a team, paid off and paid off well. But the fight is far from over. Now we must make an even greater commitment. It is no longer just taking a moment of time and posting a vote, but it is reaching into our pockets and into our soles to find a way to finance the trip and fees associated with his win, should he be a finalist next week. Will we raise enough by the time they have to travel? What if he doesn’t win? How will we meet his needs then? So many questions are left unanswered and run through my mind. I want so bad to see this families needs met. I wish I could just write a check and fix everything, but I have many mouths to feed myself and can not do that. I will give what I can and pray others do the same.
Take the time to get to know Monica, watch the pictures of Hunter she is posting daily and you will see his trials and tribulations., and most of all keep positive thoughts for this young man and the Darlage family as they raise these funds and fight daily to survive.
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