It is a miracle enough that she is alive, but even more extraordinary now that a community is coming together to give Brianna Graves what she really wants in life...her own apartment.
You remember Brianna, the little girl we've followed since she was 10 and first diagnosed with Gorham's disease, also called vanishing bone disease. The effects of the disease are obvious today as she lies in bed unable to move anything except her smile. The dot on her lip is her lifeline, her cursor to operate emails and text to family and friends.
As construction began today on a small apartment for Brianna behind her Grandparent's house in Slaton, her message today is thank you.
"I think it's amazing because you know, one thing Brianna has always been told is, 'you're never going to be able to live by yourself or have your own place.' After out living her life expectancy by now 14 years, she's getting her own place," stated Brianna's mother, Lori.
We will be following this story as the floor plan becomes a reality. Meanwhile, organizers are hoping to be able to afford a few extras for Brianna, if the budget allows. Hospice Chaplain, Josh Reglin, said, "It's one of those stories, I think, that people can't help but get involved in. We contacted the builder and said, 'we need your help building something.'" President of Interim Healthcare Foundation, Robert Franklin, stated, "It's definitely a group effort. That's not to say that we have enough to complete the project at this time. We're still encouraging donations."
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