The story of A.R.K

Once upon a time there were two little boys who were born in two different parts of a country called South Africa.

 

The one little boy’s name was Nathan. The name Nathan means present from God. Which is a very cool thing to be. His mommy and daddy and older brothers loved him very much. But then Nathan’s brain got hurt. His mommy and daddy cried, because they didn’t know what to do to make it better. His brothers didn’t understand why he was so different. The truth is  that, when your brain is hurt,  your body acts differently because your hurt brain cannot tell your body what to do any more. And so people think that you are different, when in fact, you are still the same person.

 

Later Nathan’s mommy and daddy learned how to work with Nathan to help him be the best Nathan that he could be. Many kind people helped them. And his mommy and daddy and brothers loved him very much. They climbed mountains with him and went to the aquarium and had all sorts of wonderful adventures together. Of course they had to carry him, but he wasn’t very heavy. And it was fun.

 

But then Nathan got sick. And he died. We don’t understand what happens when somebody dies, but God does. And one day, He will tell us too. One day we will see the people that we love in heaven.

 

But heaven is not here for us yet and so, Nathan’s mommy and daddy and his brother were very sad. And they talked and wondered how Nathan was in heaven. They said that they wanted to help other children with hurt brains like Nathan’s. And so they decided to start something called A random act of kindness. Kindness is being nice to other people and helping them. And random means any place and any time.

 

At almost the same time, in another place on the east coast of South Africa, another little boy was born. His name was Loren and his name meant Winner. Loren’s brain was hurt from the beginning of his life. His older brother was so used to Loren that he thought all babies drank their milk like Loren did – which was through a little tube in his tummy.

 

Loren’s mommy and daddy were also very sad and very worried about Loren. But later on they realized that Loren was exactly what his name said: A winner. He had to do difficult things that most people would cry over and not be able to do. But he did those things. And so Loren’s mommy and daddy and brother thought he was wonderful. And he was. They loved him just as much as Nathan’s mommy and daddy loved Nathan. The same way your mommy and daddy loves you.

 

Loren’s mommy and daddy found many ways to help Loren and his hurt brain. And there were also many people who helped them. They went on planes and boats and did things they loved. And all that mattered was that they were together.

 

Loren could not breathe very well because of his hurt brain. And one night Loren’s breath finished. He went to heaven too, like Nathan.

 

Loren’s mommy and daddy and brother cried and missed him terribly. But they also knew that one day, they will see him again.

 

Loren’s mommy and Nathan’s mommy met on the computer and they started talking with e-mail. Nathan’s mommy told Loren’s mommy all about her idea of helping other children with hurt brains. And Loren’s mommy thought it was a brilliant idea and said that she wanted to help too.

 

So, this website is all about two little boys and other children with hurt brains. But mostly, this website is for you. If you know somebody with a hurt brain whose mommy and daddy  would appreciate some help, you can tell Loren’s mommy and Nathan’s mommy all about it. And if you can help, even better.

 

It is a bit like being on Noah’s ark with all the animals and other people and seeing somebody drowning in the flood. I’m sure that you would put out you hand and grab that poor drowning person and bring him onto  the ark with you. A.R.K. is also like a boat in a flood. It’s all about being kind.

 

You don’t need to be big or have lots of money to be able to help. All you need to do is remember that people with hurt brains are just the same as you inside.  Try and tell as many people as possible about us…if you have done that, you have helped a lot!