Sad News

It is with great sadness I write that our dear, Sarah Strong, age 20, has passed away, from complications of her disease.

Sarah struggled for life for a month in the Phoenix hospital, spending much of the time in ICU after her blood sugar took a hike to around 600.

She had been having an increasingly harder time breathing this past year. Finally, her blood oxygen levels could not be maintained even with oxygen support in the hospital, and Sarah left this world around 10 am on Oct. 1, 2007.

Sarah was quite the trooper. Prader Willi is a syndrome that affects the body in strange ways. Although Sarah had many of the symptoms common to Prader Willi, she was not mentally challenged and was thus very aware of her condition. In spite of this, she never complained about the things you and I cannot imagine having to deal with. She somehow understood that she and everyone else, were all doing their best and this was her own life of grace. The things that bothered her were the small everyday things that we all deal with that were much harder for Sarah.

In spite of her physical challenges,Sarah was a very capable and friendly young woman. She accomplished and overcame many things. She flew from Germany back to the US as an infant, was raised by her mom, Claire, while her dad, Terri, served in Saudi Arabia in Desert Storm. She struggled to hold her head up and to sit up and to walk.

The family had only lived there a year when the Grand Forks area flooded. Sarah was uprooted from her home in Minnesota. She and her brother, Matthew, lived with their Aunt and Uncle in El Paso while her parents went to salvage what was left of their belongings.

Sarah learned to swim, ride horseback, and visited the Grand Canyon. She graduated from a large high school, and was able to attend college classes with the help of a scooter, an access van, and lots of determination.

Being an avid reader, Sarah decided to read through entire Bible this past year. She loved to work puzzles of all kinds, computer games, and occasionally go to the movies with her best friend, Christina. Mostly, she loved to hang out with her family at dinner, watch TV, or read mysteries. She was very fond of her big dog, Max, and her orange tiger cat, Jack.

Sarah looked up to her "big" little brother, Matt, and was often entertained by him. She stole the hearts of her extended family at every visit. She lent a peacefulness and humor to the Strong family dynamics. The family photo album is full of Sarah smiling. Her good nature, patience and contentment in the face of her limitations is truly inspiring. Nevermind her faith. It is reported by her best friend, Christina, that Sarah was not afraid to die. Sarah is our hero.

Sarah went peacefully into the night which is brighter than the brightest day here on earth. She will be greatly missed.

I want to thank those of you who have prayed for Sarah in the past. Now it is time to pray for those left behind. Some of you may know, or can barely imagine how heartbreaking is the loss of a child, or a sibling. It has been a very trying time for the family. You are welcomed to share your thoughts, sympathy and prayers here on Sarah's blog. My dear friends, Claire and Terry Strong and son Matthew, 17, High School Senior, very much appreciate your support.

Donations to the Foundation for Prader Willi Research may be made here in Sarah's honor. Sarah Kay Strong Memorial Foundation

You may donate as little or as often as you like, such as anniversaries, birthdays, and the like, in honor of Sarah, or anyone living or one deceased, or you may make a one time gift of any amount. If you choose a memorial gift for Sarah, an email will be sent to the family stating an unspecified donation has been made by you in honor of this forever beloved one.

Thank you for your support of the Strong Family and Prader Willi Research.

Jessie Hipolit