Join Forces with Petersen Medical to Support Jonas and Maggie

Thank Goodness for Social Networking!

Facebook posts by two friends brought some a very special family into our lives at Petersen Medical—the Coleman family. The posts discussed a recent news report they had seen on KSL.  The story was about a family who has two children that have been diagnosed with a genetic disorder call Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Type 1.  SMA Type 1 is the most severe form of the disease and is terminal; most afflicted by this disorder die by the age of 2.  SMA results in the loss of nerves in the spinal cord and weakness of the muscles connected with those nerves.

Meet Maggie and Jonas

Jonas and Maggie

The condition of Jonas, age 2 1/2, is worsening and he now requires special equipment to keep him alive.   Jonas' life support equipment include special strollers, braces, feeding tubes, and respiratory machines and is all part of the entourage wherever he goes.  A simple cold could take his life, so it is with much care that they venture out of their home to expose him to the joys of the outdoors and to spend time and with his extended family and friends.

Maggie was born August 27, 2010. Soon, she will lose her strong perfect swallow. She will lose that firm tight grip when she holds my finger while eating. Her legs will stop kicking. Her perfect tummy will hold a gtube. Her strong lungs will struggle to take a breath. So many other things.

Aren't Friends Great?

Friends from the old neighborhood, an entire high school student body and a nonprofit organization have teamed up to give the family a hand. Between them, they've held a yard sale; they will host a carnival at Olympus High School this Saturday, Oct. 9, from 3-7:30 p.m.; and they've got a fundraising 5K walk in the works for Oct. 30.

It started when Kristi Matheson, a friend of Lindsey's mother, got her adult daughter, Kristen Larsen, interested in the Colemans' needs and plans ballooned from there.

They have decided to redefine SMA to mean "Spread Magic Around," said Larsen, who told her own neighbors about the family and then watched the urge to help ripple and grow. One of those neighbors, Tiffany Bliss, teaches at Olympus High. She talked to students and the principal and the carnival was born. It's being held in cooperation with Good in the Hood, a nonprofit that helps families with all sorts of challenges. It has experience, insurance and food handler permits, among other treasures, said Larsen.

They hope to raise awareness of the disease, which affects four of every 100,000 people; raise enough money so the Colemans can put a decent down payment on a larger house, since their tiny home barely accommodates Jonas' needs, much less Maggie's; and get a van outfitted so Jonas and Maggie can be safely transported.Long-time friends of the Coleman's are organizing a carnival on October 9th at Olympus High School in Holladay, Utah.

About The Carnival

SPREAD MAGIC AROUND--a Community Carnival Benefiting the Coleman Family

When:  October 9th --  3:00pm - 7:30pm

Where:  Olympus High School (4055 South 2300 East, Holladay, UT

Prices:  Children ages 3-12--$3

Adults--$5

Maximum per family -- $25

Events: Live Bands--Stratford Street Big Band and Auld Skool

Bounce Houses

Sporting Tournaments

Children's Activities

Silent Auction

3:30pm -- Reptile Show

4:30pm -- Magic Show

5:30pm -- Live Auction

All proceeds of the carnival will go to the Coleman family to help with the cost to care for these two children.

Petersen Medical Jumps on Board

The story is so touching.  As word spread around the company, many of the employees committed to help the Coleman family in many different ways.  And, the company is providing several pieces of medical equipment that the family desperately needs.

Employees are contributing items for the auction that will be held at the carnival on Saturday.  Collection cans were set at the counter of each of the store locations and at corporate.  Several employees have donated money.  One employee at the St. George store told his mother about the Coleman's.  She is working with her friends at her church to help raise money for this wonderful cause.

Petersen Medical also contacted some of their vendors.  Bell Printing, Respironics, and others have also responded to the plea for help.

The Commitment Continues On Past the Carnival

 At Petersen Medical, we started the service to help Whit, Lindsay, Jonas, and Maggie with their medical equipment needs.  At the end of the day, I think the Coleman's helped us more than we helped them.

We will continue to help beyond the carnival in any ways that we can. We thank the Colemans for the opportunity to share in these memories.  If you would be interested in helping the Coleman's or to get more information go to www.dogoodinthehood.com.  100% of the funds contributed go directly to the Coleman Family.

Deseret News, a Salt Lake City newspaper, published a story Oct 5th about the Coleman's and all the great support they have received.

Jean Landon
Petersen Medical
Marketing Coordinator