A note from Kristen, mom of Zack & Jayden, and please read their story in the White Mountain Independent

SHOW LOW — This Mother’s Day, Kristen Desmangles has a few more things to be thankful for. Her 4-year old son, Jayden, was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy last year but he is responding to treatments.

Source: Finding a home away from home

Hi Cheri,

Thank you so so much for the discount at [the hotel]. We had to stay an extra day (today/tonight) because of the bad weather at home and because Jayden had a seizure yesterday and then again this morning, so I need to be here and not on the road in case he rolls into a life threatening one. They were a possibility after his procedure yesterday, I was just hoping it wasn’t going to happen.

Sadly, I’m still crummy otherwise, we would come there. Being here makes me realize how I appreciate being there exponentially more. Outside of the obvious reasons, financial and it being an optimal fun and friendly environment for Jayden, I really appreciate a friendly, understanding environment where people are always kind, I can talk through the good or bad day and I don’t feel isolated, living in a world that has the luxury of having a “normal” life I had until just under a year ago by a few days.

So, the fact that you even thought to help and reach out to try and help us with a discount meant the entire world to me yesterday. It’s a hard week as we approach the 1 year mark of Jayden’s first seizure. Equally hard to not be there. And then being sick to boot, it’s just a bunch of hard. So, I just want you know how your persistence (finding the hotel and then dealing with their not so with it staff) and thoughtfulness touched my heart and soul deeply and significantly.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Truly, I love you guys.
Kristen