Family Stories
Respite Spotlight: The Brewers Brew-up Support
By Jasmine Touton
One evening in late January, David and Jennifer Brewer noticed a subtle change in their one and a half-year-old daughter, Sarah; she started losing some of her coordination.
“Deteriorating motor skills – that’s what tipped us off,” says David. “Ironically, that’s the thing she is still battling now.”
A visit to the neurologist and MRI didn’t reveal anything at first, but soon doctors found the source of Sarah’s motor skill problem: a tumor at the back portion of her left shoulder. Two weeks later, Jennifer and David sent their daughter into surgery to have the tumor removed. After six months of chemo, regular steroid treatments, and muscle therapy, Sarah is slowly regaining the coordination (although she may never have full control.) And, with the help of Believe In Tomorrow respite trips, Sarah’s family is working on regaining some of their own coordination and normalcy.
At first David was hesitant to join Believe In Tomorrow’s programs when a Johns Hopkins Hospital social worker approached the family with information on joining Believe In Tomorrow’s respite programs. “We thought we didn’t qualify, but they said if you have a child with a life-threatening illness, you can go.”
The Brewer’s arrived at the Believe In Tomorrow House on Fenwick Island in August 2008. Sarah’s chemo treatments were finished and the family finally had the time to focus on themselves while experiencing a normal getaway at the beach.
“We were just blown away,” says David. “The house is so clean and nice. It’s set in a great community. Right from the moment we checked in we were just given tons of stuff to do.”
The Brewers visited Bethany Beach before, but this was the first time the vacation was about the family. The kids explored the pirate ship and ate plenty of donuts and ice cream.
“When you go through something like this, it is obviously hard on Sarah,” says David. “But there is also a reality that the other kids sacrifice as well. There are a lot of things our other kids haven’t been able to do because of Sarah’s illness.”
David says the initial respite trip boosted morale significantly and blessed the family. When the Montgomery Village, Md. residents returned from the trip they told Sarah’s grandparents – who live in the Baltimore area – about the wonderful time they had connecting as a family. The retired grandparents decided volunteering weekly at the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins would serve as the perfect opportunity to give back.
Jennifer and David also plan to give back as top fundraisers for the Believe In Tomorrow Port to Fort 6K race on April 26. The couple have organized aunts, sisters, and friends - some flying in from North Carolina – to join “Sarah’s Brew Crew” team, race, and raise money for Believe In Tomorrow programs.
In mid-March, the Brewers headed to the Believe In Tomorrow House on Wisp Mountain for their second respite. All Believe In Tomorrow families are encouraged to participate in the Respite Housing program on an ongoing basis during and up to a year after the treatment process.
“Personally, it’s a blast,” says David. “It will be nice to getaway.”
He added: “I think we all need to give back to the community more. This is one organization that we know we can endorse and support.”