Welcome to Kelly's Kause
What is Kelly's Kause
Almost one year ago, Scott and Kelly (Williamson) Burdette found out the exciting news that they were expecting their second child. Excited about the news, their son Carter who waited nine long months welcomed his baby sister, Hatley Elizabeth, on April 17, 2008. Just weeks after adjusting to being a mother of two and enjoying her time at home with her children, Kelly began to feel ill, making several visits to the emergency room with fever, weakness, and fatigue. She was then diagnosed with an infection and sent home on antibiotics. Near the end of taking her medicine, Kelly then began to feel numbness and tingling starting in her toes moving upward into her body resulting in a fall, along with her upper body becoming weaker. As these mysterious symptoms progressed, Kelly was admitted into the hospital being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Guillain Barre Syndrome. This is a disease that attacks the nervous system and as it becomes more aggressive, the symptoms increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all. At that point the person feels totally paralyzed. Not being able to hold her son and her newborn baby is what Kelly has experienced for a little over two months, one day walking, the next laying in a hospital bed not being able to move her body, not being able to smile, blink, or eat. Her speech has been impaired because her tongue is numb; therefore extensive speech and occupational therapy is needed for at least 3-4 hours a day to help her learn how to do all of these things over again. The recovery period could take months to years for Kelly to get back on her feet again. Unfortunately, Kelly has already had a relapse having to start all over again.
There is no cure for this disease, but there are a few ways to treat it in hopes of reducing the severity and duration. Kelly has been through several high dose immunoglobin treatments to lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. Her hospital stay has become very costly climbing into the thousands; the treatments Kelly requires are unimaginably expensive already having 6 thus far. Her husband Scott is learning to share a little of his time with everyone. After spending the nights in the hospital with Kelly, he gets up, goes to work in the morning trying to work as much as he can, spending an hour or two with his kids, and dealing with the added stress of adjusting to one income versus two with the normal monthly bills, but also the hospital bills that have started to consume them everyday. Kelly is home from the Hospital now, but that will not be the end of her recovery. For a long time , she will have to work hard to learn to do the things she was able to do before she became sick. She will have mountains to climb, but not alone. Kelly has many family members and friends surrounding her with love and support, but she and her family will need to rely on this help for months to come as she goes through the process of getting her strength back.
What you can do to help
We have written this letter in hopes that we can reach out to your hearts to help a family in need. A young mother of 2 (ages 2 years and 2 months old) is fighting a battle against Guillian-Barre Syndrome ( also known as GBS). Many have called or e-mailed asking what they can do to help. The answer is simple. We have established several ways to help Scott and Kelly (Williamson) Burdette and hope that you can find it in your heart to at least help out in one way or another.First, we have established an Paypal account which also accepts Visa, Master Card, Discover, you can make a donation to by clicking the Donate button below or one of the other Donate links on this page.
Next, we have established an account at CEFCU and all you have to do is visit any CEFCU center and tell them you would like to make a donation to the Kelly Burdette Benefit fund. Also, Kelly’s sister Kris Hopple is also collecting donations and you can send them to Kris Hopple c/o Kelly Burdette Benefit 210 S Pekin Ln., Hanna City, IL 61536.
The Kelly's Kause Benefit
Last but not least, we are planning a benefit on Saturday September, 13, 2008 from noon to whenever. It will be held at Pearce Community Center 613 Cedar Chillicothe, IL 61525. There will be food, games, a silent auction, live auction and a kids area. Also, a band will play during the evening hours. Everything we collect will go directly to Scott and Kelly to help defray all the medical costs that have and will continue to accumulate. One more way to help out is to donate something to the auctions. Nothing is to big or to small. Every little bit will help Scott and Kelly so much.You may mail donations to the above address or e-mail Kris at tboyzus@yahoo.com or call 309-360-6694 to arrange a pick up for the auctions.
So, come out and have fun while helping a family in need. I know we all want to help out and what better way than a day of food, fun, games and more! Hope to see everyone at the benefit. Sincerely, KelsKause committee Kris Hopple Jeff, Lori and Brooke Wallin Jill Williamson Ellen Grogg Dara Wagner Jackie Noder
Support Letter to be Published by the SCTE
Kelly (Williamson) BurdetteWhat can I say about Kelly? Well I first met Kelly in 2002 when she originally joined the cable industry in as an Administrative Associate. She had a cubicle right outside of my office and we hit it off instantly. Kelly’s talents were soon realized and she was promoted to Engineering Coordinator. It was about that same time when I left Operations Management and accepted a position in engineering. Shortly after that Kelly and I found ourselves sharing an office together, it was during that time when we became very close friends. Kelly’s yearning for knowledge led her right to the SCTE, she was right there at the Five Rivers Chapter in Central Illinois, when in it’s infancy was a meeting group, she attended all the training seminars learning all that she could. It didn’t take her long to earn her BPS certification either and that’s pretty impressive for a woman that had never physically worked in a cable system. I’m not sure what year it was when Kelly was nominated and elected Secretary of the Five Rivers Chapter, but what a great decision that was. She took charge right away coordinating and setting up Vendor Days and monthly meetings. The Five Rivers Chapter won a compliance award in 2007 all due to Kelly’s efforts. Kelly is one of those people that when you meet her you just know you’re going to like her. She’s fun and outgoing and just has a terrific personality, she’s just so vibrant and energetic. Kelly married her husband Scott on September 3rd 2005 and they soon started a family. Their first child, Carter came along in May of 2006. Kelly and Scott just recently had a daughter, Hatley Elizabeth on April 17th 2008. It was shortly after that when things started to go wrong. Just weeks after adjusting to being a mother of two and enjoying her time at home with her children, Kelly began to feel ill, making several visits to the emergency room with fever, weakness, and fatigue. She was then diagnosed with an infection and sent home on antibiotics. Near the end of taking her medication, Kelly then began to feel numbness and tingling starting in her toes moving upward into her body resulting in a fall, along with her upper body becoming weaker. As these mysterious symptoms progressed, Kelly was admitted into the hospital and was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Guillain Barre Syndrome. This is a disease that attacks the nervous system and as it becomes more aggressive, the symptoms increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the body becomes totally paralyzed. Kelly was in the hospital just over six weeks where she received several high dose immunoglobin treatments to lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. Kelly went home from the hospital on June 30th ironically the same day she was supposed to return to work after maternity leave. She still can’t walk but has most of her facial muscles back and her hands and arms are at about 75%. The next big challenge is to get her legs working and to learn to walk again. Kelly has a very long and difficult road to recovery ahead of her but if we all keep her in our thoughts and prayers, she’ll be fine. Having said all that these kids medical bills are just astronomical, not to mention being down to one income and having 2 small children to take care of. So if after reading this article if any of you can find it in your hearts to help a young family in need please go to www.kellyskause.com and click on the make a donation button. This will redirect you to PayPal where you’ll be able to make a donation to “The Kelly Burdette Fund”. Kelly has spent her life helping everyone else out, now it’s time for this great industry that we work in to return the favor and help out one of our own.
Submitted by: Mike Hodgerson Mediacom Communications Corporation Five Rivers Chapter Board Member
Photos
