Family Story:
Greg Akers bought their bi-level house on Manor Drive in West Chester in 1995 in hopes that the home would be perfect for raising a family. Ginger and Greg were married in 1997 and were excited to start a family, since they themselves had known each other since they were 12. They had their first child Christian in 1998, and then two years later they had their second child Brooke. When Brooke was only 15 months old, she was diagnosed with Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Ginger and Greg were devastated, but loved their children and knew that their faith in God would help them handle having a child with a life-threatening disease.  In 2004 their third child Faith was born with SMA as well. Once again, Greg and Ginger faced another challenge. As if this wasn’t enough for one family to handle, Christian was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2005.  That's the same disease that his father had been suffering from since he was diagnosed in 1992.
           As you can imagine Greg and Ginger have had an insurmountable amount of medical bills that are not always covered by insurance. Even though their house is not wheelchair accessible or large enough for the amount of medical equipment needed for the girls, they can not afford to move. Yet with all of these hardships, Greg and Ginger are always willing to help others in their church and community, and now we feel it is time for the community to help them.  

Christian’s Bio:
Christian Akers is one awesome boy!  He is a very caring and loving 9 year old, who helps take care of his sisters, and others in need. Christian is an excellent student and is on the honor roll. He loves playing basketball, baseball, football and golf, and seems to be a natural athlete. In the fall of 2005, he started struggling in football, and was having some painful and alarming symptoms. He had a number of tests performed and the dreaded diagnosis of Crohn’s disease came back. He was hospitalized for 5 days, and since he has a severe case of Crohn’s disease he underwent several rounds of antibiotics and steroids. Unfortunately, the pills stopped working for him. In December 2006, Christian started having Remicade infusions. At first the infusions were effective and Christian was feeling much better, so he and the family were relieved and very excited. Once again another challenge arose during the summer of 2007 because the Remicade infusions were and are not lasting for the 6-8 weeks as originally expected.  He is experiencing the same painful and alarming symptoms that he did in 2005.  What is the next step?.......Greg and Ginger don't know at this point. If you ever get the chance to meet Christian, he will truly inspire you.  He does not let anything hold him back.

Brooke’s Bio:
Brooke Akers is seven years old and is in the second grade. Brooke suffers from Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She is unable to walk, crawl, roll-over, catch herself from a fall, or sit herself up from a laying position. Brooke has some strength in her arms so she can write, and with assistance unzip her jacket. Brooke’s spine is curving more everyday and she is going to have to have a spinal fusion sometime soon. Her left hip is out of socket, and she has pain in her back, hip, legs and ankles almost everyday.  She is not strong enough to cough so she has to use a cough assist machine to clear her lungs twice a day. In addition, she has to sleep with a bi-pap that helps her breathe and braces on her ankles.
 Brooke’s smile, positive attitude, strength, and faith in God touches your heart and is reflected in her actions everyday!  All Brooke wants is to be able to move around independently in her home. She said the other day while rocking herself in her rocking chair watching everyone move around the room, “I wish I could help my mom clean, I think that would be so much fun!”  

The story about Faith Akers told by her mother, Ginger.
Faith Akers is a 3 year old with Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  She is unable to stand and walk independently.  Knowing that Brooke had SMA, I decided to be tested through an amniocentesis test when I was pregnant with Faith. If the results came back positive for SMA, she could be part of a drug trial out in Salt Lake City, Utah to help find a treatment or a possible cure for SMA.   
I'll never forget the day I got that phone call from my doctor's office.  They told me that the test came back positive for SMA.  I was absolutely devastated.  How could this be happening?  Every parent's worst nightmare is having a kid with a childhood disease and now I have 2 kids with not only a childhood disease, but a life threatening disease.  How can this be happening to Greg and I?  Why?  We grew up in the church together since we were 12 years old and are Christians. Why is God allowing this to happen to us?  Not that I want it to be somebody else, but.... 
             Two days later, God spoke to me and told me "Go to the church and go to the alter"  I tried to ignore Him, but every room I went in I heard Him.  So, finally at 10:30 AM I grabbed my keys and headed to our church.  On the way there, I was talking to myself saying "this is crazy.  I have 1 hour to get to the church, go to the alter and pray and get home before Brooke gets home from school."  To make a long story short, I prayed at the alter and God told me that the baby was fine. 
             When Faith was born and the blood test still came back positive for SMA, I was very confused.  Then the Lord made me realize that Faith was brought here to help them find a cure for SMA.  I will continue to believe and have faith in what the Lord told me that day at the church.  Faith is going to be fine. 

Faith is able to crawl to get around.   She has physical therapy and she wears ankle braces and uses a walker. Even though she is very slow when she uses the walker, she is able to use it for exercise and is one determined little girl!

Faith has brought so much joy and laughter to our family.  I can not imagine this family without her.  God really knew what He was doing when He sent Faith to us.