Beads of Courage

Cupcake

For Emma's first birthday, I wanted to get her something special that she would have for the rest of her life. I didn't want something that she could wear and outgrow or even a stuffed animal that she would love until she outgrew that as well. I wanted something unique that would show her how proud of her I was, but also be special for her first birthday.

I had already decided on the theme of her birthday party - cupcake! I made several dozen cupcakes in normal and mini sizes for the guests. But the centerpiece was Emma's birthday cake - a massive cupcake that took over an hour to bake!

That cake could have fed more than twice the number of guests at her party.

 

The guest of honor in her ridiculous cupcake outfit that I couldn't resist.

 

She did not like the cake, but she was a good sport about trying it.

But even though I had her party all planned out, I still hadn't come up with that special gift. So I started looking through the Facebook page of Children's Medical Center for inspiration. And then I found just what I was looking for... Beads of Courage!

What are Beads of Courage?

Beads of Courage are ways for children to own their stories. Each bead that they have is related to a time that they had to summon up the courage to overcome a medical challenge they had to face. They are symbols of the stages in their lives that they faced and have been able to conquer.

Now I had a mission: to find a cupcake bead. I went to the Beads of Courage website and found they had an online gallery where you could purchase the beautiful beads. I began to look through the ornate, hand-made beads hoping that there was a cupcake out there. As luck would have it, there was one!!! It was listed at $15 with an option to have it turned into a pendant for an additional $6. I couldn't believe it!!! I had the perfect gift for my little cupcake.



Emma's first Bead of Courage.

This bead would represent the surgery she had when she was just two days old that saved her life. I ordered it on January 17th and couldn't wait to get it! Her birthday (February 7th) came and went with still no bead. I contacted them inquiring if they knew where the little cupcake was. In a crazy mix up, her bead accidentally shipped to the wrong address, but the recipient was kind enough to return it so it could be sent to me. After much anticipation, it arrived on March 15th. I didn't get to give it to her on her actual birthday, but I'm sure, in the years to come, she will enjoy the story of how her special bead had to travel great distances to get to her.

The next time Emma needs surgery for her shunt, she will be getting another bead from her Mama. I know it is not a matter of "if", but "when" she has to have another surgery because shunts have a extremely high failure rate - approximately 50% fail in two years. I am currently on the lookout for a blue elephant bead to buy and have on hand to give her after her next surgery. Her room is blue and full of elephants so I think that would be the next best bead for my little miracle.

What can you do?

The Beads of Courage is currently hosting their Inaugural National Bead Challenge Event on September 15th from 10am-4pm. There are eight participating studios in eight different cities. The company I work for has sponsored an hour of the event in honor of Emma. If you want to donate to the cause, you can find more information here.