Why Create Nick's Pavilion?

Nick's parents moved to Saint Charles, Illinois before Nick was even born. In fact, the very day they moved: they found out they were pregnant with his older sister, Erin! They live in a "tri-level" house. In our subdivision, their tri-level floor plan means that the entry level has a kitchen, living room, and dining room. The upper level has the only bathroom and three bedrooms. The lower level has the recreation room and occasionally a fourth bedroom or a den/office.

For Nick, this means that going to bed or going to the bathroom always means negotiating stairs. And going downstairs to spend time in front of the television after dinner means negotiating stairs. Approximately one-third of every month, Nick must negotiate his own home from his wheelchair…or his mother must carry him from level to level. And now that Nick is FINALLY gaining weight and thriving after years of worry, the act of carrying him is becoming more difficult.

Why not move to another home? In a utopian world, it would be that easy…but not when a great portion of his family’s income is already devoted to medical bills and prescriptions not covered by insurance.

And we need to remember that Nick must eat a highly restricted diet that eliminates fats and processed foods. We all know it isn't cheap to feed a family. Now try doing it without ANY processed foods, with only fresh and organic (whenever possible) vegetables, the leanest possible meats available. And all of this is done not by choice, but just to keep your child alive, and HOPEFULLY thriving.

So where does this leave the Nick and his family financially? Well, they survive and they somehow make it. But it is not without sacrifice. They clip coupons and shop during sales. They forego "extras" that many of us take for granted like an annual vacation and new clothes, instead taking day trips and buying their fashions used. They drive their vehicles as long as they possibly can to avoid having to incur the expense of a new vehicle. They rely on a social mantra of yesteryear: They MAKE DO with what they have. While they may yearn for more, they certainly do not ask for it.

Until now. With Nick FINALLY growing, with his on-going medical issues, and with his future prognosis unclear, that their house can no longer accommodate their family's needs is an absolute certainty. So all of this to answer the original question: Why create Nick's Pavilion? To build for an independent future for Nick.