Lake Area Dream Factorycontinues to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families
LAKE OZARK, MO. -- Pizza parties are a normal part of most children’s lives. But when a child is struggling with a chronic illness, even normal activities can be special occasions.
Eleven year-old Ethan Bax struggles with the effects of linear scleroderma; a rare autoimmune disease.
“The places on his skin that look bruises are scar tissue,” Ethan’s mother Reagan Bax explained. “They tighten and harden so it creates mobility issues. There is some joint inflammation that causes pain in the joints, as well.”
Organized by the Lake of the Ozarks Dream Factory, Ethan’s pizza party included a hands-on lesson in making JJ Twigg’s signature dish. Ethan and big sister Adora joined Patty Wettig behind the scenes in Twigg’s kitchen.
“Every minute they have together seems to count more,” Reagan said. “They truly are dear friends and I think that’s been a real blessing in the midst of a difficult time.”
Ethan will soon realize an even bigger dream with a family trip to Disney World.
“We have some families that could maybe afford a vacation,” Dream Factory volunteer Doris Niepert said. “But when there’s an illness they are conscientious of money and what could be around the corner so they tend to put a family vacation on the back burner.”
In 28 years, the Lake of the Ozarks Dream Factory has gifted countless moments of joy to hundreds of seriously ill children. Coping with the affects of Ethan’s illness has meant a steady ritual of doctor appointments, blood tests and long drives to see a pediatric specialist in St. Louis over the last three years. With Dream Factory support the Bax family can set aside Ethan’s medical concerns and focus on creating happy memories.
“That is the blessing of the Dream Factory,” Reagan said. “It has given us something else to focus on as a family other than the health decline.”
Ethan’s father, Jonah couldn’t agree more.
“The entire Lake community has been a tremendous blessing to us,” Jonah said. “To think that people you don’t even know would go out of their way to help is very touching. “This has been a great encouragement for us,” Jonah concluded.
Before their departure for Disney World, Ethan will join the Lake Ozark Fire Department in a special appearance at the Kelly’s Clown Classic Golf tournament on May 1 at Osage National Golf Course. In its 28th year, the tournament raises a significant portion of the funds needed to realize the dreams of nearly 20 seriously ill Lake Area children each year.
Learn more about the Dream Factory at www.dreamfactoryincloo.org.
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