When life gave lemons, Ivey Wren decided to make lemonade.
And sell it.
So, she wrote a letter:
Hello, my name is Ivey Wren. I am 12-years-old in the seventh grade at Glascock County Consolidated School. I would like to tell you about a special baby. Even though I have only seen her in a picture once, She has really touched my heart and God has called me to help her. I just want her to have a good home and know what it's like to be loved.
Her name is Taylor, and she is 9-months-old, but she has the appearance of a 4-month-old. She stays on oxygen 24-hours a day and seven days a week. Poor thing, she has already had surgery quite a few times, and her little body is already scarred. She also has therapy every week. Can you imagine being 9-months-old and having therapy? I sure can't.
Anyway, Taylor is a special baby and has lots of medical issues. I would like to help her get a good home and know what it's like to be loved.
A guy that my mom works with is interested in adopting Taylor, and they are short some money. So, I would like to help them get the money they need by the end of this month to adopt Taylor.
I will be selling lemonade and cookies at Neal's Bar-Bee-Q in Thomson on September 20, 2008, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
And once again, I want Taylor to have a good home, a good family, and most importantly, know what it's like to be loved. So please, as you read this letter, if God speaks to your heart, come buy a cup of lemonade and some cookies.
Thank you so much,
Ivey Wren
The letter says it all. Even though she's never met them, Ivey said she feels compelled to help baby Taylor become a legal, permanent member of the Barner family. And she's had a lemonade stand kit for years, so it only made sense to put the two together.
"It's just amazing that somebody that doesn't even know us or doesn't know Taylor would take it upon herself to make this effort. I'm just blown away," Mr. Barner said.
As foster parents with six children of their own, Glenn and Christy Barner are no strangers to the adoption process. But due to Taylor's medical needs, they need an additional $10,000. Mr. Barner has been cleaning and doing odd jobs for his neighborhood association in Lawrenceville to raise the additional funds needed.
Taylor was born three months premature and spent the first three months of her life in the hospital. She has the appearance, size, abilities and aptitude of a four month old. Her health problems include digestive issues, lung and heart development and a weakened immune system.
"She is truly a miracle and we are asking for any and all the help we can to make this adoption happen. Our greatest fear is that we will lose her and she will end up lost in the system," the Barner's said.
Mr. Barner said doctors did some genetic testing last week on Taylor and the results were encouraging.
"They said she will catch up eventually," he said.
Mr. Barner said they are planning for some of the family to come to Ivey's lemonade stand Saturday to meet her. Ivey said Neal's Barbecue is not only allowing her to sell lemonade in place of their drinks, but they have donated the cups and ice. Daisy's restaurant in Mitchell donated over 200 cookies for the sale. Ivey's mother, Lynn Kent, said everyone is getting involved. She said Lucky's Chinese Restaurant in Thomson placed flyers on their front doors, even though the lemonade sale will take customers to another restaurant.
"How many restaurants would do that," she said. "But they said 'It's for the baby,' so they hung the flyers up. No other business would do that."
A bank account has been set up for donations at any Bank of America branch. The account name is Taylor Barner Adoption.
