Circle of Hope Offers Help to Hurting Families

By Kim Houser

On a sun filled May morning in 2005 my three year old daughter Emma passed away from a genetic disorder called Cockayne Syndrome. During her brief life, my husband and I advocated on her behalf to get services and support. Prior to having children, I had been a case worker for families myself; nevertheless, many times I would leave Emma’s appointments in tears feeling as though no one was listening to what my daughter and family needed. We were shuttled from one appointment and agency to another and at times it seemed there was little communication between the numerous entities involved in Emma’s care. The year before Emma passed away I pleaded with the doctors caring for her to help me seek additional help for our family through support or volunteer organizations. The answer I always received was, “There is not an agency that can help you.” Our family needed an organization which understood the unique needs of a family faced with the life-threatening diagnosis of their child. We needed an agency which connected with our entire family unit and encircled our family with support.

Eventually I phoned hospice, and Emma was admitted into their care six months before her death. Upon admittance to hospice our family began receiving support. It was around this time that members from our church started delivering meals and helping out. Although we were finally receiving help, our family had needed support a whole year prior in the block of time before Emma was eligible for hospice. But there was not a resource anyone could refer us to. After Emma’s death I discovered local resources which had indeed been available to our family, yet we had never received the information. Either those involved in Emma’s care were unaware of the help available, or they hadn’t heard my cries for assistance. Either way, I knew there had to be a better way to help families.

I met another family who had experienced a similar situation with their terminally ill child, and we began to talk about the gap that had existed between multiple doctors, agencies, and our families actually receiving hands on support. Circle of Hope, a local non-profit agency, was formed in 2007 to bridge that gap. We collaborate with other agencies and feel it is imperative that all agencies and medical professionals involved in caring for very sick children work together to ensure the needs of the entire family are met.

Through Circle of Hope we provide direct, practical and emotional support to families of children diagnosed with a life threatening or serious, long term condition. A comprehensive home visit with the family is done through an initial meeting to assess their needs. We assist parents and caregivers in locating local, state and national services and strive to ensure families are aware of all the services available to them. Circle of Hope also has a network of volunteers who help families based on their unique needs. Through our “Spreading Emma’s Hope” program much needed financial assistance is available for equipment and services not covered by insurance. Recently, we were able to financially help one family install a lift and track system in their home for their daughter. In addition, Circle of Hope provides grief packets with a journal, bereavement bracelet and information on support groups to newly bereaved families. Our goal is to walk with the family along each stage of the journey they are on.

Over the past year we have provided bereavement support to nine families and direct support to three families. Our volunteers stay busy reading to children, visiting when children are hospitalized, taking meals to families, and making personalized blankets for the children. Being a volunteer has a positive impact on a person. In fact, one dedicated volunteer commented on how Circle of Hope filled a void and completely changed her thinking.

Circle of Hope, in conjunction with Compassionate Friends of Huntsville, is currently involved with Huntsville city to bring about the creation of a memory garden for children who have passed away. This is an exciting endeavor, and we look forward to seeing the project to fruition. We are actively working on spreading awareness of our services to ensure any family in our community who needs help receives it. Often a family may not be able to pinpoint what type of assistance they need or what would help ease their daily routine. Circle of Hope is here to help. Although making that initial call can be difficult, we encourage families to contact us. Our mission is to encircle families with support, and we will continue to advocate on behalf of all families walking a difficult journey. It is important families know they are not alone. Impacting the lives of families and volunteers alike– it’s all part of an incredible purpose, and Circle of Hope is blessed to be a part of it in honor of a special little girl named Emma.

Kim Houser is the co-founder and director of Circle of Hope. She is an advocate for families of children with life threatening conditions and enjoys spending time with her husband, Eli and their children Peyton (9) and Paige (5). Contact Circle of Hope at (256)759-2178 or visit the website