“For better or for worse; in sickness and in health.” When Aaron and Mandy Sellen stood together as bride and groom under a bright August sun in 2009, they could hardly have imagined what their vows would mean for the journey to come.
Fifteen years and three beautiful children later (Clive, age 12; Elenore, age 6; and Desmond, age 5), the Sellens’ daily life is far from typical. Early on, countless hospital visits revealed Clive has a rare genetic condition that comes with a long list of other conditions. “Clive doesn’t sleep well due to seizure activity,” Mandy says, “and the constant screaming can give us anxiety, so we’re working on ways to find calm and teach our [neurotypical] daughter some healthy ways to handle all the noise.”
In July 2020, little Desmond was diagnosed with the same genetic condition as Clive. Aaron and Mandy were left with the seemingly unbearable truth that they now have two kids with a disease affecting fewer than one thousand people in the U.S. “It’s been difficult,” Mandy says. “Aaron and I do the best we can to keep our marriage going.”
That’s when the couple reached out to Grant a Dream Foundation. Hearing their story, Grant a Dream sent Aaron and Mandy on an all-expense-paid beach getaway to Florida. “The trip was a huge blessing,” Aaron says, “and helped us get refreshed as caregivers. For me personally, it’s a reminder we need that time and we have to make it a priority.” Mandy adds, “As caregivers it’s important that, as a team, we’re connected and able to communicate, and this dream getaway gave us that chance.”
Founded in 2017, Grant a Dream Foundation is a Broomfield-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose vision is to see all caregiver parents find the renewal they need. Grant a Dream’s ongoing mission is to reduce caregiver burnout by sending the parents of chronically ill and special needs children on rejuvenating dream getaways.
Grant a Dream exists to give these “hidden heroes” a chance to feel normal again and encourages them to do so on a regular basis for the rest of their caregiver journey. “These dreams,” Founder Ann Townsend writes, “are not just about a fleeting, happy moment. They’re about showing these beautiful souls, these precious parents who deserve it most, how to dream again.”
Grant a Dream needs you! Visit grantadream.org to learn more about how to get involved.