At just 10 years old, local resident Eva has long suffered from juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the muscles, causes inflammation in the blood vessels, and results in a great deal of pain.
Juvenile dermatomyositis, referred to as JDM, is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy of presumed autoimmune dysfunction, resulting in muscle weakness among other complications. It manifests in children and is often known as the pediatric counterpart of dermatomyositis. In JDM, the body’s immune system attacks blood vessels throughout the body, causing inflammation called vasculitis.
According to studies, the incidence rate of the disease is recorded to be 2 to 3 cases per million children per year. Of the children diagnosed and treated for the disease, about half will recover completely, and nearly 30 percent of those able to recover will have weakness even after the disease resolves and goes into remission.
Since she was first diagnosed, Eva has required the use of a wheelchair. She gets around well, but she is restricted in her daily activities, which are far fewer than those of energetic children her age. With such restrictions, young Eva is homebound much of the time and has wished that her ordinary bedroom could become a “dream room.” Thanks to a pair of local Rotary clubs and a very special organization, young Eva’s dream of that “dream room” came true last week.
It was all made possible by the collaboration of the Sweet Dreams Foundation, the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom, and the Folsom Lake Rotary, all of which teamed up to make a young girl’s hope and dream a reality as the place she spends much of her time was transformed just how she envisioned it, all through the work of others she didn’t even know.
“The squeals of excitement and joy upon seeing her bedroom and the joy of seeing her family’s reaction to Eva’s excitement made our efforts more than worth it,” said Rotary co-president Chuck Thompson as he shared this heartwarming story with the Folsom Times. “Eva is our new superhero!”
The Sweet Dreams Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that sets itself apart by “improving the quality of life for medically fragile babies and children who are battling life-threatening illnesses,” according to their website. The organization is based in Folsom and was founded by local resident Jennifer Richards, who is also the president of the fast-growing nonprofit. Richards’ vision began when she was just 11 years old and was taking care of her grandfather as he was dying from lung cancer. After spending months watching him decline and being bound to a bed, the experience sparked an interest in Richards, making her want to help those who were seriously ill.
With the power of the foundation and its network of suppliers and sponsors for the project, combined with the manpower of the dedicated men and women from the two Rotary clubs, Eva’s room was transformed into a haven and a true creative space for her to enjoy for years to come. A once cramped area that was cluttered with her many stuffed animals and furnishings was made into an efficient space, all of which included her large beloved stuffed animal collection along with a custom desk and workspace, a reimagined bed, chandelier, colored accent lighting, inspirational artwork and more. The room also included amenities to help Eva’s mobility in the space as well as her recovery.
The project spanned only two days as the Rotary members removed, replaced, redesigned, and rebuilt the area, all in the mission of helping others and putting service above self, as they are known for. Today, Eva, whose last name is being withheld for the family’s privacy, is surely enjoying “sweet dreams,” thanks to everyone involved.
“Thank you for making Eva’s dream bedroom come true. We pray for strength, peace, healing, and love to fill Eva and her family,” the foundation said in a statement thanking the local Rotarians and donors. “We pray for blessings upon every one of you who gave Eva a magical healing space.”
To learn more about the Sweet Dreams Foundation, visit their website. You can learn about the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom or the Folsom Lake Rotary.
Sweet Dreams Foundation and the participating Rotary Clubs shared a video of Eva as she saw her new room for the first time that can be viewed below.
