{"id":2326,"date":"2023-06-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundwoodstockmagazine.com\/?p=2326"},"modified":"2024-09-19T11:01:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T11:01:50","slug":"life-house-atlanta-seeks-to-establish-a-home-for-pediatric-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundwoodstockmagazine.com\/life-house-atlanta-seeks-to-establish-a-home-for-pediatric-patients","title":{"rendered":"Life House Atlanta Seeks to Establish a Home for Pediatric Patients"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Catherine represents Life House Atlanta at the 2023 Burpee Beer Mile fundraising event in Sandy Springs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. Kathleen Fleiszar has a big dream. Her work as a board-certified medical geneticist and professor of biology at Kennesaw State University (KSU) sparked an idea to build a place of respite and palliative care for children with life-limiting illnesses \u2014 Life House Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Now retired, Fleiszar did genetic consultations for 10 of her 30 years teaching at KSU. \u201cI\u2019ve always had a soft spot for kids with special needs, and I volunteer at my church in the disabilities ministry,\u201d Fleiszar said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile consulting, I met with many families with medically fragile children. I repeatedly observed how these children who suffered with rare illnesses and disabilities put demands on their family structure that can be overwhelming. This led me to do even more to serve these special families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fleiszar first read about a home providing respite and palliative care for pediatric patients in a 2017 Phoenix newspaper article, which her sister shared with her. After touring the home in Phoenix, Fleiszar began to build a team and a plan to establish a similar home in Georgia. She sought the support of her longtime friend, Fred Gabourie, who introduced her to Tony Rogowski, a lawyer and father of children with Type 1 diabetes.<\/p>\n

Life House Atlanta became an official nonprofit in 2018 through the collaboration of these three individuals, and they are searching for a metro Atlanta location to establish the home, which will serve all of Georgia and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife House Atlanta will provide a free-standing home where infants and children with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, can enjoy a temporary getaway from the constant demands of specialized, round-the-clock care, at no cost,\u201d Fleiszar said. \u201cHere, kids can be kids and parents can take a break from the routine care of their loved one. Fragile little ones can enjoy music, art, gardens, and audiovisual and hydrotherapy rooms. Siblings can also interact with siblings from other families and share the common bond of living with and loving a special-needs child. The goal is for families to return home with memories to cherish for a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Rob Reed carries his daughter Catherine in a We Carry Kevan backpack.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mary Cota Reed, a Life House Atlanta board member, is a parent of a medically fragile child. Her daughter Cecilia discussed the struggle of having a sister with complex medical needs: \u201cThe first few years after Catherine was born were like a fever dream, as my brother and I quickly adjusted to survival mode as our parents relentlessly rotated in and out of the hospital. We were so excited to have a baby at home to cuddle and play with. While we still get lots of cuddles with Catherine, our family was thrown into an unexpected journey of countless doctor appointments, round-the-clock therapy and medical equipment all over the house, with no time for much else. My brother and I were instantly placed on an accelerated curve to independence while our parents tended to Catherine, who still needs 24\/7 care to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Families like the Reeds often are exhausted, isolated and misunderstood. When a beloved child is born with the demands of constant, intensive care, challenges abound for all family members.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a big endeavor, but the invitation to join the team to build Life House Atlanta is open to all. The key goals for this year are:<\/p>\n