THE STORY: Once again, Allie and I are supporting the Frankie Lemmon School (FLS) in Raleigh, NC. FLS is a tuition-free, full day preschool program for children 3-6 years old with developmental delays. For over 50 years, FLS has changed the lives of children and families in our community by providing a tuition-free, superior education for children with special needs. The months after our middle son, Ben, was born were a blur. Even in the fog of getting accustomed to having two children and preparing for another out of state move, we knew something was different about him. Over the next few years, we had to piece together Ben's different issues until we finally reached a diagnosis (which is so rare, it doesn't have a name). During that time, we were told by various physicians that Ben would never walk, never talk, never understand us, never eat, never be independent in any meaningful way. His life - our lives - would never be normal. Enter Frankie Lemmon School, a tuition-free preschool that provides exceptional education and therapies for children who have intellectual, physical, and developmental delays. We were fortunate that Ben was one of the 25 children who was able to attend FLS. During his three years there, Ben learned to walk, run, jump, talk, spell, and read. His social skills and language capabilities exploded. Ben transitioned from eating almost exclusively pureed foods to being able to chew and use utensils. He performed little miracles every day, and once his time at Frankie Lemmon School came to an end, he had shattered all of the dismal predictions for his life. We take a tiny fraction of credit for helping, but we fully acknowledge that almost all of the difference was made by the dedication and hard work of the teachers, staff, and therapists at FLS. As a result, Ben is now a happy, thriving fourth grader. When we think of FLS, our hearts are filled with gratitude, along with a sliver of regret that more children have not been able to enjoy these advantages. Two years ago, with the help of a generous supporter, Frankie Lemmon acquired its own building. While we are so gracious to Hayes Barton Baptist Church and the Jordan Center for the use of their facilities for so many years, we are thrilled that students now have an actual school that they can call home. Your generous donation will enable us to not only fill the school with more children, but more importantly allow FLS to have the resources they need to flourish. Allie and I will be forever indebted to Frankie Lemmon School for what they have done for Ben and our family. If you know Ben, have been touched by his story, or have been the lucky recipient of one of his patented squeezy hugs, we ask you to join us in supporting this worthwhile cause.
