Nana: A Personal Reflection

Nana’s Wish was established by my brother Sean and me to honor our Nana (grandmother), Rosa B. Sablan for her love and devotion for children and families.  Nana is not just our grandmother, she is Nana, grandma and Auntie Chai to everyone who has met her.  Nana has been a caregiver to the young and elderly, a foster parent to kids who have been abused and when people are in trouble, would open her home and wallet to help them out.  If someone wanted to borrow money, like $20, she would give them $40.  Nana gives from her heart and never expects anything back.  She taught all of us the importance of sharing and caring for one another.  One time Nana became friends with a homeless woman.  It was during winter and every day, Nana would bring the woman food to eat and spent time talking to her, about her life and situation.  On Christmas, Nana bought the woman a heavy coat and thanked her for being her friend.  Our Nana is truly special and we are all blessed to have her in our lives.  

Nana's Wish is currently fundraising for a young boy named Cory.  Cory is eleven.  He was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy when he was 8 and a half. The late diagnosis was due in part to his mobility being only slightly reduced at this point. He can still ride a bike with help getting started, his biggest problem is lack of strength, his balance is still very good. His primary doctor is supportive of the Buddy Bike. Until last year his mother was using a trailer bike but Cory was too heavy for her on that. They were intended for smaller kids. Cory hikes and plays with other kids.  He just can't run very fast. It would be nice for him to be able to do something with his family.   They all ride bikes a lot, and that is why the Buddy Bike seems like a great solution.

We heard from Cory's mom and aunt that the family and community where they live are coordinating a bike ride to Washington DC to promote awareness for Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.  The family is also fundraising to raise money to purchase a Buddy Bike (www.buddybike.com) so we offered to help out. We are collaborating with Buddy Bike and have a limited supply of “That’s My Hope”, a book by Marlene Lee and Lil Ingram. That’s My Hope was designed to foster understanding and communication among children and adults about disabilities, trauma, illness -- and hope. Twelve children and 16 adults contributed artwork and shared real-life vignettes, including: the service and sacrifice of war, surviving Hurricane Katrina, juvenile diabetes, amputation, cancer, stroke, polio, homelessness, premature birth, and more. The real-life vignettes blend with the fictional story of a young girl and her father who suffers a traumatic injury and becomes an amputee. Father and daughter share a love of bike riding before his injury -- and again afterwards when adaptive bike riding is introduced. The cover of the book is a Buddy Bike. That's My Hope is suitable for ages 6-to-12 years. If you would like a copy of That's My Hope, we are asking for a $10 donation plus $5 for shipping and handling, a total of $15. Checks and money orders can be made payable to Nana’s Wish and mailed to us at P.O. Box 1848, Chula Vista, CA 91912 or with a credit card via PayPal. Please reference Taylor’s Buddy Bike. For those who wish to support the fundraising efforts with a monetary donation, the same instructions apply. We thank you for your continued support for Nana’s Wish and for our “Bike from Austin” program.

 

Our First Recipe Book is Here!

Nana's Wish Comfort Foods and Memories Recipe Book, a compilation of favorite family recipes and memories.  We are now taking orders for our 1st recipe book.  Proceeds from the sale of the books will support our at-risk youth and family, special needs children and family caregiver programs. 

 

Click image to download order form [PDF].