As many of our active followers and clients of A Body Of Work know, Jean Sullivan's sister passed away in a tragic car accident July of 2015. She's been in and out of the studio taking care of her sister, Nancy Sullivan, lifes work and managing the medical needs of Nancy's adoptive children: Pauly, Floydrick, JJ, and Nancy Jr.
Jean is now more or less back at the studio and has written an update on how her family is doing, the wellness of the children, and her experience in Papua New Guinea.
Jean's Family Update
"It’s now 4 months since my sister’s tragic car accident and we still have 2 of the 3 kids in the hospital. But they’re making great strides in their recovery. Pauly, 10 years old, was most severely injured. He was unconscious for 6 weeks and is slowly “waking up”. He just recently started talking again, smiling, asking questions and coming to terms with where he is. We’re very excited to see this progress!"
"The youngest, Floydrick , 5 yrs old, is in the hospital with his older brother Pauly. They’re sharing a room and helping each other out. Floydrick and Pauly had multiple breaks on their limbs, but amazingly no permanent damage to internal organs or their spine. They had severe brain trauma that caused swelling and needed to drained. Floydrick had a fractured jaw that was repaired and wired shut for 8 weeks. But he had less brain trauma and is now chatting up a storm and cracking jokes as he races his wheelchair through the halls. Gotta love his spirit!"
"JJ (Jeffrey Junior), 8 years old, was released from the hospital 2 weeks after the accident and has been living in Vermont with some dear friends of ours. He and his older sister (Nancy Jr who is 13) are enjoying life in the small town of Dorset, Vermont that has adopted these two Papua New Guinean kids and made them feel welcome. They’re going to school (and loving it) while they wait for their brothers to get out of the hospital. My sister’s adopted son, Chris, father to all these kids, is staying at a home on the Hospital grounds in Valhalla, NY. There he has a room and bed and communal kitchen."
"My brother Jeff and I feel blessed by so many angels who have fallen from the sky to help us. We want to thank each and every one of you! We really can’t believe the overwhelming support and caring we’ve received."
"Our sister Nancy lived in a place where there is little material wealth and personal possessions. Everything is shared, sometimes more than she wished. But it’s a place where you truly see how it takes a village to raise a child. And its been true for us here in the US as well. Jeff and I spent 2 weeks in Madang, PNG to give Nancy the memorial service she would have most appreciated, being left in the ocean near her friends and family, in the country where she felt most at home."
We thank Jean for sharing her family's story and send her all our love and strength. The Sullivan family is still taking donations going toward the medical expenses for these incredible children. If you have time to visit their donation site, please click the link below and provide whatever you can. Every penny counts! We appreciate all your love and support.
https://pages.giveforward.com/medical/page-ld6mlc2/?utm_swu=2110