With Thanksgiving later this week, First Lieutenant Brian Everman and his wife, Monica, would like to give “thanks” to a generous entrepreneur with a heart of gold.
1LT Everman is currently stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, and has dedicated over 16 years of his life to the United States Army. He and Monica have two children, six-year-old Patrick, and a three-year-old daughter named Parker.
In recent years, the Everman family has faced numerous challenges. Due to complications from illness, Monica has been hospitalized 15 times over the past two years. Patrick has been diagnosed with non-verbal autism and subsequently receives extensive therapy and attends a school specializing in services for Autism. Last year, Patrick was also diagnosed with lead poisoning requiring him to receive extensive chelation therapy and vitamin replacement infusions. Topping off the crippling medical expenses was Brian’s recent knee surgery.
Although the military provides excellent health coverage, not all expenses are covered. The Evermans met their catastrophic cap from the Echo program and TRICARE for over five years now. Between copays and therapies that require out-of-pocket payment, the Everman’s budget leaves very little room for extracurricular activities. Certain physical programs, such as gymnastics, have been shown to have very positive therapeutic and interpersonal effects among autistic children. The Evermans’ wish was for their children to be enrolled in a gymnastics class.
Wish For Our Heroes Inc. contacted Jill Oxford, proprietor of Powerhouse TnT Gymnastics in San Antonio, Texas, to assist in granting this wish to the Everman family. Jill offers a gymnastics class designed specifically for special needs children as well as a class for three-year-olds. Jill has generously provided a scholarship allowing Patrick and Parker to attend gymnastics classes at Powerhouse Gymnastics.
“I am writing to take a moment to thank the Wish for Our Heroes and Powerhouse TNT Gymnastics for the generous donation and services you have provided for my family. After dealing with some difficult times facing our family, my wife and were extremely grateful that the Wish for Our Heroes organization coordinated to make the lives of my children brighter. .
Mr. Brad Tobler from your San Antonio office brought to your attention the troubles my family was facing. My wife and I were blessed with our six year old son Patrick who was diagnosed with autism, and our three year old daughter Parker. Wish for Our Heroes generously donated gymnastics lessons for my children which they attend each week at Powerhouse TNT Gymnastics here in San Antonio, TX.
My son Patrick is receiving one on one training from an instructor that is caring and understanding. Each week, Patrick is lit with excitement as we head to Powerhouse TNT Gymnastics for is session. My daughter Parker is absolutely in love with her new class and practices nearly every day as she counts the days before each Saturday morning comes. Both children are enjoying an opportunity they would otherwise not have available if not for the thoughtful and generous donation of your organization. Seeing my children smile is one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive. My wife Monica and I want to personally thank Mr. Brad Tobler, Ms. Ann Mayer, and Mr. Jeff Wells for making this wish come true for my family. We are extremely thankful and appreciate this warm gesture.”
Sincerely,
Brian P. Everman
First Lieutenant, United States Army
