Rae of Hope Foundation Offers Support to Families of Medically Fragile Children

Magon and Shawn Peuker are your typical American family: husband, Shawn; wife, Magon; and three daughters Makayla (15), Raelynn (13) and Kylie (2). They spend time together as a family, enjoying their favorite meals and fun spots to take the girls. They attend community events and doctor's appointments, celebrate milestones and share love. They are a happy family, albeit one with a significant difference: Their daughter, Raelynn has MYLK Syndrome. What is MYLK Syndrome? It is a rare genetic condition that makes it difficult for blood to flow through her body. This condition has caused Raelynn to have several strokes from ages 8 months to 3 years, when she was finally diagnosed and the strokes were brought under relative control with the aid of medications. In the meantime, Raelynn lost the ability to speak and walk.

That hasn't slowed Raelynn down too much. She's a full time student at Mannion Middle School in Henderson. While she can't speak, she uses a talking pad to communicate with others. She's smart and loves people. She continues to need necessary medical procedures and interventions to maintain her quality of life and make her life more comfortable. These are expensive treatments but so needed to keep her alive.

Shawn and Magon recently decided to achieve one of Magon's goals since her daughter received her diagnosis. They created a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping other families in similar situations. There are a lot of things that go into parenting a medically complex child. Whether it be adaptive clothing, suitable transportation, home modifications and more, the foundation, aptly titled the Rae of Hope Foundation, gives families hope. They want to create a community dedicated to caring for medically fragile children and their families. They also plan to focus on advocacy and awareness for families going thru similar situations. These are important ways to support families with a medically challenged children thru their conditions.

For the month of April, the foundation is seeking donations from the community that will be matched contributions. They also want to build a community of similar families for support and encouragement. How can you help? Come visit the family during upcoming events like Swing into Spring (April 11) and Spring Jamboree (May 2 and 3). Magon will be singing the National Anthem at both events. They hope to meet other families with similar circumstances, as well as those who stand ready to assist families with their special children. There are a lot of opportunities to serve in this way and we are sure once you meet the Peukers, you'll want to help them, and other families, as well. Consider a donation to the foundation as you enjoy the outdoor activities coming in the next few weeks. Come out and meet the family to learn more about their experiences and how you can help.

You can find out more about Rae of Hope Foundation on the website (HERE) and follow the family on Facebook (HERE), Instagram (HERE), and TikTok (HERE). We encourage you to watch a special video on YouTube (HERE) about Raelynn and her family and the foundation.