By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
A benefit for five-year-old Isaiah Schutrop, son of Chad and Monica Schutrop of New Richland, is being planned for Sunday, December 7th at the New Richland City Hall. Isaiah was first diagnosed with Stage 3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a child’s form of Lou Gehrig's Disease, in December of 2013.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic killer of infants and young children. It is a terminal, degenerative disease that results in the loss of nerves in the spinal cord, as well as a weakness of the muscles connected with those nerves. SMA impacts children’s ability to walk, stand, sit, eat, breathe and even swallow.
As a child with SMA grows their bodies are doubly stressed, first by the decrease in motor neurons and then by the increased demands on the nerve and muscle cells as their bodies grow larger. The resulting muscle atrophy can cause weakness and bone and spinal deformities that may lead to further loss of function, as well as additional compromise of the respiratory system.
SMA is an autosomal recessive genetic disease, which means that for a child to be affected by SMA, both parents must be carriers of the abnormal gene. They also must both pass on this gene to their child. The likelihood of a child inheriting the disorder is 1 in 4, but Isaiah did inherit the disease and his family is hoping that the people of our area will help them deal with this difficult situation.
Isaiah had learned to walk before he became ill, but later started to fall, and has continued to fall more and more as the disease has progressed. Isaiah is still able to walk, but only for a short amount of time before his legs get tired and hurt. His doctors wanted to fit him for leg braces, but since he has gotten used to falling a certain way, they feel Isaiah could do more damage to himself if they did and he could end up breaking one of his legs.
The Schutrop family, which includes Monica and Chad and their children Desiree, 14; Destiny, 12; Cole, 8; and Isaiah, has been busy trying to make their home handicap accessible which will help Isaiah.
The New Richland Lions Club is organizing a Pancake Breakfast, which will be served from 7 a.m. -12:30 p.m. on December 7th at City Hall. Isaiah’s mother, Monica, is a member of the New Richland Ambulance crew, and the crewmembers plan to offer help during the breakfast.
The Waseca Country Chapter of Thrivent for Lutherans will provide supplemental funds.
A silent auction and bake sale is also being planned to be held in conjunction with the pancake breakfast. People are encouraged to donate silent auction items that they themselves would like to bid on; the same is true for the bake sale. It is hoped that people will donate many items that may have become their own family favorites.
Monica shared that they have received a number of very generous donations that will be included in the silent auction. One of those items is an autographed picture of Cordarrelle Patterson, #84 for the Minnesota Vikings, and Sorenson’s Appliance in Geneva donated a Blu-ray player. A one night stay with breakfast, for up to $159, at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in the Twin Cities area has also been donated, as well as numerous homemade wood signs with special sayings and homemade canning goodies baskets.
When Isaiah was asked if there was something special that he would someday like to be able to have or do, Isaiah said his wish is to visit or talk with the "Chef" Guy Fieri who is from "Dinners, Drive-Inns and Dives" and to be able to visit Disneyland. Hopefully his wishes will come true.
Considering the time of the year, maybe we can all help Isaiah make his wishes come true and help this family who truly needs the spirit of Christmas in their lives now. Small acts of great kindness are just as important as grander gestures.
Becoming involved in cause that is bigger than yourself can have enormous physical and mental benefits. Research shows that volunteering and giving to others can reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your life span. Human beings are meant to help each other. Never doubt that a moment, a dollar or two, or a kind word doesn't make a difference.
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, December 7th and plan to attend this fundraising event that will help make a difference to Isaiah and his family so they can have a more blessed Christmas holiday.