A Journey of Hope and Healing: How One Family’s Experience Inspired a Commitment to Giving Back
Twenty-one years ago, their family faced the most challenging period of their lives. Their son Alec was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit and placed in an induced coma. Eventually, he was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease. After months in the PICU, they transitioned to home hospice care. Despite having a support network of family and friends, they struggled to navigate their new lifestyle due to limited resources and information about mitochondrial disease. “Alec’s doctors and nurses connected us with other families facing similar challenges, but healthcare privacy policies often made this difficult.”, shared Mark.
Support resources for families with children coping with illness are essential, not just for the affected child but for the entire family. Navigating financial assistance programs like Medicaid can be challenging, and access to food assistance during treatment and hospital stays is crucial. These resources help alleviate the stress that impacts everyone’s well-being.
After Alec’s passing, their family dealt with grief in different ways. Mark struggled with PTSD for many years without realizing it, as access to counseling was limited. Eventually, he was diagnosed and could explore holistic alternatives and therapy to manage PTSD without relying solely on medications.
“I first learned about Better2gether while forming a professional networking team within the 212 Networking Group. Delving into Better2gether's mission and meeting Stephanie gave me a deeper understanding of their goals.” said Mark. “Their support for families with children facing complex medical issues resonated deeply with my own experiences.”
The Impact of Our Contributions
Over the years, he openly discussed his battle with PTSD, which began after Alec’s passing. This openness encouraged many others to share their struggles, particularly men who might feel embarrassed to admit their challenges. Acknowledging and accepting PTSD makes it easier to manage. Their story also brought national attention to emotional support animals. They welcomed a pet pig, Tucker, into their family, who played a significant role in their healing. Tucker’s presence helped their youngest child with speech therapy and reading, and they engaged in community outreach with special needs students, nonprofit organizations and fundraiser events. Tucker’s story even garnered the attention of the federal government, which promoted fair housing by using their example to aid local and federal authorities in understanding the importance of emotional support animals for mental health.
The Influence of Community Involvement
“I have always been an advocate for community involvement, believing that we are all in this together.” said Mark. “My family taught me the importance of working together and sharing with others, a lesson I pass on to my children. An involved and informed community is a healthy community.” Volunteering and supporting non-profit organizations have been incredibly rewarding for Mark. He shared, “I have had wonderful mentors who generously shared their knowledge and support with me, and I feel a responsibility to do the same for others.”
Encouraging Others to Support Better2gether
To those considering supporting Better2gether or starting their own giveback program, Mark suggests being sincere and following your heart. Engage in causes you believe in and know will positively impact others. Lead by example, as we are all in this together.
Families facing medical challenges need comprehensive support, and resources are often limited. Having a network of people who have experienced similar struggles is invaluable. Through working and volunteering with others, Mark has built trust and meaningful connections, both personally and professionally. Supporting Better2Gether has been a fulfilling part of this journey.
Mark grew up in a small rural area in Massachusetts. Currently, he works in real estate, a career he began immediately after college by purchasing his first property to rent out to friends and students in need of housing. Before his current reentry into his real estate career, Mark worked in healthcare, focusing on practice growth and development. His journey started in vision care (as an optician which eventually brought him to Richmond through the Virginia Eye Institute. Despite his healthcare background, nothing prepared him for the complexities of having a child with a serious medical condition and the challenges that came with it.
Mark and his family have since opened an animal rescue in Powhatan, providing care for animals and offering a sanctuary. They continue to be active in community initiatives, exemplifying the power of resilience, support, and giving back.
Thank you for being part of our story and for supporting Better2Gether!