We are receiving, almost every day, thank you letters or messages of support. All of them are making us very happy and come as recognition of our work. This one here is another example…and it is a special one! Thank you. (*for privacy reasons, we didn’t use real names)
“January 2015
Dear Jonathan,
Having just read your wonderful book I feel I must write to thank you so much for writing it and also for the help your foundation has given to my daughter and son-in-law over the past six and a half years.
For me it was a book of two halves. The first half provided much insight into you as a person, your young life and all the things that made you become the fine person you are.
The second half tore my heart asunder and my tears flowed freely as I read it because it was like reading about the last six and a half years of our lives in detail all over again. Every word, every sentence rang true.
Our dear daughter gave birth to our twin grandsons, on the 14-1-2008. They were the first grandchildren and we as grandparents awaited their births as if no other grandparents ever had a grandchild before.
They were born prematurely at only 26 weeks and three days and had a real battle to survive right from day one. It took months for them to be well enough to go home from hospital and from then on we tried as a family to help support this little family as best we could. But it was very hard and we didn’t know where to get help for the first couple of years. Then one day, when one of my grandsons was once again sick and in Portlaoise hospital the nurses asked my daughter if she ever heard of the Jack & Jill Foundation. They introduced her to a co-ordinator that very day and from that day on their lives changed for the better.
Although John* was very small he continued to grow and thrive thank god. Niall* however had and continues to have huge problems. He has serve Cerebral Palsy and needs 24 hour care. Jack & Jill provided my daughters family with so much kindness and support. It helped them to gain confidence and even when the lads reached four years and Jack & Jill couldn’t help anymore they still maintained phone contact and this was another wonderful support to them.
This letter is really just meant to express my undying gratitude for all that Jack & Jill has done to help my family, in particular my daughter, son in law and their wonderful little family. The kindness and generosity they received know no bounds.
We as a family have done our best to spread the word about Jack & Jill. We have fundraiser and encouraged family and friends to do likewise.
If one day you decide to write another book, perhaps from a grandparents perspective. I would gladly help in any way I could.
For now, keep well and my very best wishes to yourself, your wife and family. I know they must be very proud to have such a fantastic husband and dad.
With Grateful thanks always.“
