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
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sad News
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
My name is Nicole Butler. I am a friend of Jessies'. We have been praying for your family for quite some time. I am truly sorry to here this news today. My heart goes out to your entire family. I pray that God will wrap his Love around you all like a comforting blanket.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me,all ye that labour and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest.
Sarah Strong will be so missed, her impact was such sweetness.
I first met Sarah when I began working as a teacher's aide at her junior high school. The school had a math class that one teacher alone could not control... the group of students that particular year were the most difficult I have ever worked with, for years before or after. Sullen, mouthy girls and angry, disrepectful boys. Each day, I walked to that classroom wondering if I could handle another day, praying for strength, and opening the door to chaos.
But at the front of the classroom sat Sarah. She was like sunshine itself. No matter what was going on around her, she smiled so sweetly, nothing seemed to bother her. Her presence was so calming. She had a joy that had nothing to do with her circumstances... not the hyper rollercoaster of typical adolescents, dependant upon someone liking her clothes that day, or if plans with her friends would work out. It was from within her; steady, peaceful and pure, with no drama.
I met her mother, Claire, that same year and just loved her right away. A couple of years later Claire invited me to the Moms In Touch prayer group that she founded and led, a group that has changed my life and allowed me the priveledge of being able to call Claire my dear friend.
This young girl Sarah showed me, a middle-aged wife and mother, the perfect example of how Jesus desires us to rest in Him each day, all day. No worries. Just keep moving ahead in hope. Thank you Sarah...
My prayers are with the family that will remember and miss Sarah each day. "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." II John 1:3
Pamela Evans
Claire and family,
I just want to express my deepest sympathy, and let you know that I and the rest of the R&R team are praying for you all. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help ease your burden and pain. We'll be in touch.
Love, Andrea
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness, I say to myself. 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"
Lamentations 3:22-24
I am a friend who lives in Temple, TX. Sarah was very young when I first met her... and there are so many ways she has touched me & my family's life ever since. We were privileged to pray for her, play with her, and watch her grow and mature. Her courage, her strength, her determination, her love, and of course, her smile.... will always be remembered.
Some folks do not recognize what a gift someone was until they are gone. Terry, Claire, and Matthew are different. Throughout Sarah's life, they have recognized, honored, loved and appreciated the gift that she was. We are so grateful that they have shared this gift with all of us.
And now as family and friends are preparing to gather for Sarah's service at Central Christian Church, I am preparing to go out to a nearby lake, to sit and pray and be with you all in spirit and in prayer.
Sarah, precious Sarah, we celebrate you.
Love, Mary Ruth
P.S. Thank you for sharing Steven Curtis Chapman's song... With Hope. What beautiful lyrics.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Sarah or her family. As a mother of a baby with Prader- Willi I know that Sarah and her life helped pave the road for my child's future. Whether it was shining a light on PWS or advocating for treatments and support, it is those who have gone before us that will help all of those born with PWS. Our condolonces and thoughts are with your family
I had the supreme honor of staying in Sarah's room when I went to Arizona for the funeral. Here is a little something I precious I found on Sarah's bookshelf.
The Last Months
My time has come
And so I am gone
To a better place
Far beyond
I love you all
As you can see
But it's better now
Because I'm free.
~ Traci Kornhauser
From "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff"
Highlights of the Funeral Service.
The music was absolutely beautiful.
Both of Sarah's aunts - Terri's sister, Teena and Claire's sister, Carol, had the most beautiful and right on things to say about Sarah that sparked fond memories and created some new ones.
Afterwards there was a lovely reception in the fellowship hall with a buffet provided by the church. Friends and relatives gathered for time of celebration that was surely a glimpse only, of what Sarah was looking forward to "when she got home."
I was so inspired by all of this, that I want to plan my own funeral now. Sarah is helping me be more comfortable with death. Her influence lives on.
My name is Dex. I never had the pleasure of meeting Sarah, Claire,or Matt, But I've been a friend of Terry's for 49 years.
As a servant of the Lord, I don't feel that I have to know all of the family to hurt with and for them. If a brother or a sister in Christ are hurting then we all hurt.
From all that I've heard about Sarah, I would have to say that "Sarah" was a special gift to Terry, Claire, and Matt from God.
My thoughts, and prayers continue to be with and for you each day.
I truly believe that God only gives
"Special Angels like Sarah" to Special people like the Strong family.
Brother, I love you and will continue to be here for you all.
Dex
I had the greatest joy to get to know Terry, Claire, Sarah and Matt many years ago when Sarah was a pre-schooler. I got to work with her as her speech pathologist and that was the beginning of a relationship that went much farther than a professional one. I loved Sarah and her family. Sarah had a strength of character that touched everyone who ever came in contact with her. She was one very special little girl who not only touched my heart but also touched the heart of my daughter. She grew into a lovely young lady and I will always consider it such a joy to have known her. Terry, Claire, and Matt, there are no words that can take away the pain. There is nothing that can replace any part of Sarah's life or that can fill the void that her absence creates. There is ONE who understands it all and you already know Him in your hearts. I will continually pray that you will daily feel God's presence as you go on with your life. I don't always understand how God uses events such as this in our lives but His word promises that He does. This one thing I know and understand: God is faithful and true and His word can be trusted. Proverbs 3:5 says to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
I am so sorry to have heard about Sarah leaving this world so late, but want you to know that I love you all and will keep you in my prayers and thoughts and will keep in touch. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.
It has been a year now, since Sarah stepped over the line into her heavenly home. Where does the time go, we say? Well, it goes on. For all of us. For Sarah and those left behind.
This year has seen the Strong family live through many tears and heart wrenching rehearsals of Sarah's difficult life journey while trying to stay on top of a disability, especially the tragic circumstances of her last days. There are times of regret and remorse, anger and frustration, guilt and fear, and downright sorrow. That deep soul-draining loss that can cut like a knife.
Amid all the clouds, tiny, intermittent pokes of light have broken through and even these sad memories have their sweet spots which are just as vivid -- precious moments frozen in time for eternity. Bright spots of hope that help us remember Sarah as the happy, caring, determined young woman who inspires us all even more, a year later.
She is with our Father, seated in heavenly places, enjoying his presence without restriction, pain, or burden. Like a butterfly, innocently sucking the nectar and taking full advantage of the sunshine, pollinating love as she goes.
We love you Sarah. Keep on sending the sweet presence of the Lord on down to Arizona and beyond.
Jessie
Two short / long years have passed since Sarah's vibrant life on earth blurrs into now shadowy memories of both her struggle with her disease, and her resilient, tender spirit. Photos, mementoes, and a few precious articles of her belongings, all saved and savored, nudge our mellowed recollection of Sarah-ism's.
Communication is a litte freer within the family. No one quite so afraid of touching a raw nerve that starts an unwelcomed river of sorrow. Shared stories and little mentions of Sarah are more delightful and are a common acknowledgment of the place Sarah still holds in the family. In some ways it is hard to believe she is really gone.
But she is. Flowers on the grave mark the date, Oct. 1st, 2007. Sarah now belongs to a community with others who have died before their loved ones were ready to let them go.
Summer's green lush is fading into shedding leaves crunchy beneath our feat. The chill in the air reminds us that much of nature is going dormant for the winter. Not dead but seemingly so, it is ready to spring forth in a new environment at more perfect time we call Spring.
Sarah's life is also being transformed by the love of God into something fresh and new, out of our range of sight, but very alive indeed.
Her comfort with where she is and her vantage point are a stimulus for values here to change and new priorities to emerge. Some things are less important but love of family is all the more precious.
We love you, Sarah. We will watch for signs of you sending love, perspective and hope in our direction.
XOXOX
Jessie
Eternal Sprng
It has now been three and a half years since Sarah left us for The Father's arms. I think that means this past Oct. it slipped my mind to visit the blog. It is all perfect, for now I am thinking of Sarah in the Spring. Though I have never seen it, I hear Spring in Arizona is beautiful. Colorful blooms turn up in unexpected places, they say, dotting the landscape with signs of new life. Sarah would know. Arizona was her home here.
Though I have never seen it, I hear Spring in Heaven is beautiful too. Those who flourished on earth and those who did not, bloom eternal together - fresh, beautiful, sweet - a garden of variety and color, with "leaves for the healing of the nations."
Sarah remains an ambassador of hope for those who have not yet seen the heavenly Spring.
I see her walking among the lillies and roses one day... and cactus, agave and desert wildflowers the next. From one endless garden to another, like visiting the Master's Conservatory that stretches beyond visibility even for those with heavenly eyes.
Sarah undoubtedly has not yet seen all of the Spring gardens tended by the Master Gardener. They are too vast, I imagine, like the endless galaxies would suggest. But I am guessing, she too, has heard how beautiful they are, and holds on to hope that one day she will see them herself. There are 3 things we will always share with those who have gone on that bind us together as one.
"For these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love." 1 Cor. 13:13
We love you, Sarah.
In case you haven't heard, Sarah, the Gospel blooms wherever it is planted and Heaven and Earth are one.
"We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace." Col.1:4-6
Post a Comment