HADLEY HOPE

Peyton, Kayla, and Jonah

About Us       The Hadley Family

God has blessed us with three beautiful children, that live with such vitality and enthusiasm, that it is infectious to those around them. 

Unfortunately, a terrible disease was following two of our children through infancy and into early childhood.  At three months of age, Kayla was found to have an enlarged spleen.  After numerous negative blood tests, including rare disease testing and multiple exams, she had no other symptoms.  Peyton was noted to have an enlarged spleen at five years of age, but was also asymptomatic.

Both Peyton and Kayla developed very well, were early talkers and readers, and bright young children.

As Peyton moved through his early elementary years we noticed that he was having difficulty in math and writing, so we began looking into learning disorders and a possible visual impairment. 

We never had any idea two and half years ago that this terrible disease was manifesting itself in Peyton and Kayla, however we knew something wasn’t quite right.   It took us two years of assessment exams, numerous appointments with specialists, and many trips to the lab to pinpoint the cause.   A skin biopsy recently confirmed the diagnosis in December 2007.

We have waited months to finally hear of the results for Kayla and Jonah.  We were very saddened to hear this week (March 18th, 2008), that Kayla is positive for the disease.  It confirmed what we knew deep down with her symptoms, but is never easy hearing this news again.  On the other hand, we are happy to hear that Jonah neither has the disease, nor is a carrier; he has neither mutation!! (A 25% chance)  God has shown us His mercy by sparing one of our children, and we are appreciative of all of the prayer warriors storming heaven on our behalf.

Peyton’s hobbies include collecting baseball cards, reading about famous baseball players such as Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and reading the Hardy Boy’s book series.  Kayla began playing violin at age four, and recently joined the Youth Strings, of the Rogue Valley Youth Symphony.  She also enjoys cheering on the Oregon State Beavers and playing soccer.  Jonah likes playing soccer as well, helping mom and dad outside, and is full of energy (can we tap that?).

Today our children are very functional, and still enjoy life very much...tomorrow, months, or years down the road, their future looks bleak.

 

Peyton: then 8, now 10

Kayla:  then 5, now 7

Jonah:  then 3, now 5

May 2007

 

If I could change the world, I would stop wars, end fights, and stop pollution.  I would try to make people nice by giving people a big smile.  If we all worked together the world would be a better place to be.

 

What I like About Myself:

Times when I feel the very best about me is when I am with God.  I also like me when I am peaceful.  But most of all, I like myself when I am nice and loving.

 

- Peyton, 4th grade

 

December 20, 2007

 

Dear Jesus,

Jesus, I am going to teach people about you.  My friend doesn’t know you, so I am going to try to pray so she can know you.  I want to be a saint some day.  I want you to know I love you.  I am happy you rose from the dead.  

 

- Kayla, 2nd grade