Thursday, December 31, 2009

The New Orleans Saints compliments of Nick Leckey backup center and The Philadelphia Eagles compliments of Chris GoCong linebacker, Robert Toporek President of Teamchildren was able to give two signed footballs to Bailey Ehasz of Conshohocken Pennsylvania to help her and her family kick off a New Year.

On May 19th 2009 while many people were worried about who would win the primary election, 12 year old Bailey Ehasz was struggling to win the game of life. Bailey an honor roll student and the delight of her friends and family was tragically struck by an SUV while crossing the street with a friend.

She suffered serious brain injuries, multiple broken bones in her pelvis, legs and arms and was alive only because of the immediate help from a local volunteer firefighter.

"The reason she lived is also because that firefighter got to her and pulled down her chin so she could get air," said Dawn. "She wasn't breathing, and because he did that she didn't lose any oxygen."

Bailey struggled through months of therapy and surgery's. Through the incredible work of their doctors and staff at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia Bailey began to recover.

But her family has struggled both emotionally and financially. Mark Bailey's father was out of work at the time and Dawn her mother had to quit work. Dawn still has to stay at home to care for Bailey and is fighting to get unemployment.

Dawn takes her daughter to multiple therapy sessions and maintains the emotional health of her two boys and her husband Mark.

Toporek received a devastating call from his friend Mark Ehasz asking for his help in sorting things out and learning to accept help.

Robert first started his effort in 1998 to literally End The Digital Divide by collecting and repairing computers and then distributing them to families in need. Mark was one of the first to step up and volunteer. He worked tirelessly on the weekends and on some evenings, adding ram, changing hard drives, and refurbishing hundreds of computers for people he would never meet.

Robert attended Mark's fund raiser and won tickets to the Eagles Saints home opener. Low and behold he ended up sitting next to the wife of the Saint's backup center.

After chatting with her for awhile during the game Robert asked her if she would get a ball signed by the team. A few weeks later wallah a ball arrived. Toporek next asked the Eagles for a ball and got one signed by Chris GOCONG.

Toporek thought this would be a great gift to Bailey and cheer her on as she struggles to regain the use of her arms and legs and her memory.

But like all great champions Bailey with the support of family, friends and people like the Saints and Eagles plans to win the game and contribute to others.

A fund has been set up to help pay for Bailey's recovery and can be reached baileyfund@conshy.com