While many first-time parents find all of their fears for their new bundles of joy quickly put to rest, there are so many others who have the misfortunate of struggling with those becoming all too real.
That was sadly what happened for Patrick Donahue when he and his wife welcomed their beautiful daughter, Sarah Jane, into the world. Just five days after bringing the happy, healthy girl home, Sarah Jane became unusually and increasingly lethargic. After enduring days of testing, they were given the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear: their baby girl had been violently shaken by a nurse in the hospital. The infant suffered multiple fractures in her tiny body as well as a loss of about 60 percent of the rear cortex of her brain.
As she grows up, Patrick and his wife make it their mission to give Sarah Jane all the best experiences in life. That of course includes attending school like any other child, but that wasn't going to be as easy as the family hoped. Despite living in New York City, one of the biggest cities in the world, Patrick was shocked to find there were no academic options for children with brain injuries.
Instead of relocating his family to a more compatible community somewhere across the country, Patrick abandoned his own promising career to open a school right in their living room. Today, iHope is a much larger facility where children just like Sarah Jane are able to learn and find their true potential.
Take a look to hear more from Patrick about his inspirational daughter.
And be sure to SHARE their incredible story with your loved ones!
