Resiliency and Relief: Gwen’s Stairway Chair Lift

Gwen is part of a family of strong, resilient women. Her wish for a stairway chair lift provides daily relief, allowing them to focus on joy.

Spreading Joy

Sweet Gwen loves dancing, CoComelon, and her twin sister Kinley. Wish mom Melissa describes how when Gwen laughs, “she just has the ability to make everybody happy. It’s infectious in the best way possible.” Gwen spreads joy to everyone around her, despite living with a rare neurological disorder that greatly impacts her interaction, communication, and motor function, as well as her general health and development.

Moving Forward

Gwen is part of an incredibly strong and resilient family. On top of Gwen’s condition, her family has dealt with other heartbreaking blows: the loss of Gwen and Kinley’s father, as well as two of their great-grandmothers. But amidst incredible hardship and loss, Gwen, her mother, grandmother, and sister have all kept moving forward, even when it seems impossible. “We are resilient,” Melissa says.

A Wish for Safety and Peace of Mind

A challenging part of Gwen’s condition is that over time, new symptoms, like seizures, can develop, compounding her already difficult condition. When Gwen started getting seizures, it made going up the stairs of her house, something already difficult for Gwen, even more dangerous. Melissa says, “if we fall down while carrying her, she could really hurt herself.” Gwen’s mom and doctors agreed that “a chair lift would provide Gwen safe and independent access to her playroom upstairs, reducing the physical strain and risk to her caregivers as she grows, and significantly improving her daily quality of life.” Gwen’s wish for a stairway chair lift gives her mom peace of mind. Melissa says that “having that chairlift has been such a help. Even when Gwen is asleep, I can sit in the chair with her and hold her, and we can go up the stairs together… it’s one less thing for me to worry about.”

Focusing on Joy

Worries about Gwen’s health and safety will never go away. Neither will the grief that comes with the deep loss her family has suffered. Wishes don’t make struggles disappear, but they provide life-changing relief. Gwen’s chair lift eliminates a major source of worry for her family, providing daily peace of mind. For a family that embodies resiliency, hard work, and determination, Gwen’s chair lift allows a few small moments every day where her family can simply rest. Gwen’s wish allows her to feel comfort within her home and gives her family the freedom to focus on Gwen’s cheerful spirit, beautiful smile, and joyful laugh.