Auctions for a Cause: Two Inspiring Sisters with One Gigantic Cause

Over the course of setting up this auction and gathering donations, we've had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people and making new friends. We're especially touched, though, when we receive donations from children.

There's just something about a child or a teenager donating their time to help out children across the world. Too often, kid's today get a bad rap. We only hear about the bad stuff. But today we want to spotlight an amazing young teen who is battling a life-shortening disease, but who still gave her time to create and donate 5 beautiful pieces of jewelry to help out the children at Sarah's Covenant Homes.

I'll let her mom tell you her story...

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In May of 2010 our lives changed forever with two very strange word's, Friedreich's Ataxia. We took our daughter Natalie to the hospital because her chest was hurting. Natalie had a rare heart condition called Hypotrophic Cardiomyopathy (heart disease). Natalie was admitted to the hospital because of her cardiac enzymes being elevated. It turned out that Natalie had an infection and she was just sick from it. It would clear up and she would be fine.

However, while in the hospital the doctors asked us about Natalie's unsteadiness. You see, Natalie has always been a bit clumsy but the eye doctor told us that it was because her eyes were offset and she saw the world unevenly. She tripped ALL the time but when she had this infection she couldn't even walk a straight line. The doctors searched a bit more and then they found that she has absolutely NO reflexes and they also found she had Scoliosis. They put it all together and told us she had Friedreich's Ataxia (FA).

FA is a progressive neuro muscular disease. Progressive meaning it is slowly robbing her muscles of their abilities. They told us that Natalie would probably be in a wheelchair within 5 years and not live past her 20-30's because of her genetic code of numbers show a more rapid progression.

But we know that only GOD is in control of Natalie's life. Her days were numbered before we heard her diagnosis and that number didn't change. God knows the life He has planned for her and for us. Natalie is beautiful and full of life! She works so hard at staying strong. She works out 3 times a week at Physical Therapy and does exercises at home. She is fighting this disease and it isn't ruling her life.

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Natalie, along with her younger sister, Naomi, has started making beautiful pieces of jewelry to raise awareness about Friedreich's Ataxia. It can take Natalie quite a while to string together just one necklace, but she and Naomi have joined together to create and donate FIVE necklaces to the SCH auction.

Natalie and Naomi, we are so grateful for your donation. You both are bright shining stars and we know that God has big plans for the two of you!

** If you are interested in buying one of Natalie's necklaces separately from the auction, please contact us at schauction@yahoo.com and we will get you in contact with Natalie's mom, Donna. Each necklace sells individually for $20.**

Black and white "Zebra" Necklace with toggle clasp. 20".