Christa is a devoted mother of seven children and the fiercest advocate for her daughter, Elizabeth. Born with a chromosomal abnormality, Elizabeth requires daily care and support, but she is spunky, full of energy, and remarkably observant. She is deeply loved by her family, and her siblings, ages 6 to 16, are eager to be involved in her care. As Christa puts it, “our world really does revolve around Elizabeth.”
For families like Christa’s, VNA Children’s Haven hospice is a lifeline. After years of more than 300 hospital visits annually, the ability to receive care at home has been life changing. Instead of spending hours traveling back and forth from their home in Greenville, the family can focus on what matters most: being together. “Elizabeth has many complex needs,” Christa shares. “What VNA brings into our home is so vital. Hospice gives her the care and support she needs while allowing our family to be together.”
That support has created unforgettable memories—like Elizabeth’s recent eighth birthday. For the first time, she truly understood and enjoyed her party. She laughed as she opened gifts (she loves unwrapping any package, even medical supplies!) and lit up when her grandmother surprised her with a scooter. VNA RN Case Manager, Kara, and Certified Child Life Specialist, Sarah, made the day even more special by bringing pizza, cake, bubbles, and craft kits for Elizabeth’s siblings, who created handmade birthday cards for their sister. At first, Elizabeth was nervous with so many people around, but the moment she spotted her nurse, she felt safe and ready to join the celebration.
The joy doesn’t stop with birthdays. Elizabeth and her siblings recently attended VNA’s Christmas in July party, where they loved meeting Santa and completing holiday crafts together. Christa later said it was “the best thing that had ever happened to our family.” These events give the children, who have endured years of uncertainty and trauma, moments of joy and normalcy they might not otherwise experience.
VNA’s support extends beyond medical care to the entire family. Staff create safe spaces for Elizabeth’s siblings to ask questions, share feelings, and gain tools to cope. “Even my 16-year-old looks forward to it,” Christa says. “It gives them an outlet they don’t have otherwise.”
Through every challenge, Christa has remained her daughter’s fiercest advocate—researching, fighting, and ensuring Elizabeth’s needs are met. With VNA Children’s Haven by their side, she no longer has to carry that burden alone. Together, they are building memories filled with love, comfort, and joy—at home, where Elizabeth belongs.
