Making a Difference
Impact Stories
We’re on a mission to uplift families through coping, education, reimbursement, and support because no child should face these diagnoses alone.
Hope Box Impact Stories
Shay
“Shay looooved her hope box! She was so excited from the moment she saw the puppy on the box. She lit up when she saw the stuffed animal and the blanket. Then she had so much fun putting the stuff on. Before we started she gave the puppy a hug and said “it’s okay I got you, it won’t hurt” 🥰 and afterwards she said “wow my puppy looks so cool!”
Adelaide
“When I reached out to Strong Brave Hopeful I didn’t know what to expect. How much comfort can you give a 7 month old undergoing seizures, MRI’s, bloodwork, EEG’s, ultrasounds, etc. the answer is – so much more than you could imagine. We talked and I told them about Adelaide’s situation. She’s 7 months old with a rapid increase in seizures and an older brother who’s witnessed almost every single one. Last night I came home from our third hospital stay to a package on our doorstep and I knew today would be special.”
Cami
“Thank you thank you thank you! She LOVED opening the box and helping the puppy prepare for its EKG.”
Hayley
“We’re thrilled that Hayley loves everything in her hope box, and we’re grateful that every detail resonated with her.”
Bringing Light
“Our little princess has been going through the long and exhausting 24+ hour EEG process testing for various conditions. It is difficult for a 3-year-old to understand what she is experiencing, and the Hope Boxes bring light to an otherwise scary scenario for a little one.”
Viggo
“It was above and beyond anything we could’ve imagined! Viggo was thrilled to attach the EEG and while I helped him put the wires on, he whispered to Hope the dog, ‘be brave’. He has ‘BE BRAVE’ etched into his medical alert bracelet and as simple as it is, it’s given him a lot of strength in low moments, so my heart just burst when he repeated it tonight. The whole box brought us all to tears. I can’t thank you enough for giving us a sense that someone cares and for making him feel good about all his testing and appointments.”
Gracelyn
“Gracelyn (almost 9) was diagnosed with focal epilepsy due to a focal cortical dysplasia in January of 2025. She has had a year and a half of so many changes. Appointments, pokes and prods, diet changes, awful medication side effects, loss of control in so many areas, the emotions of being “different” from other people…obviously you know this all too well, even more so. “
Maddie
“Maddie was so happy to receive her box. She’s been having seizures all day today. Thank you again for making it special for her hospital stay. She said that she is so happy to have a puppy going through the same thing as her.”
Ruth
“My daughter, Ruth, recently had an EMU visit at MN Epilepsy Group and received a HOPE Box. It made the stay so much easier and she is still sleeping with the dog and blanket each night. She thought it was amazing that her dog could get an EEG too.”
Christmas Wish Impact Stories
Luella
“Luella’s room is done and we are thrilled!! SHE is thrilled!!
This fall has been a rough one for Luella. Luella has Dravet syndrome and an increase in seizures this fall with a major seizure on the tennis court resulting in a concussion and multiple stitches set her up for some difficult months. November and December were especially hard with seizures about every 5-6 days. She barely had time to recover from one seizure before she had another. Being selected for a Christmas Wish Grant from the Strong Brave Hopeful Foundation was an incredible gift and provided a much needed distraction for Luella and helped her get through a very rough time.”
Impact Photos
