This time last year, we introduced you to Autumn P. Autumn was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome, a rare condition that impacts her immune system. After she was born, Autumn’s doctors were concerned that her health would be at risk if she were to go home too early. As a result, she spent the first year of her life (542 days, to be exact) in the hospital.
 

During that period, Autumn’s whole family changed. Her two sisters would have to adjust to their parents splitting time between the two of them and Autumn. Due to the hospital’s isolation requirements, Autumn’s time with her father was extremely limited. The family worried about how much longer they could continue living the way they had been.

That’s where we came in.
 

Autumn’s family knew that they needed to make some serious updates to their home if they wanted to bring Autumn back with them safely. With a Chive Charities grant, the family was able to replace the carpeting in their home and rid their home of any dust, germs, or allergens that could pose a risk to Autumn’s healthy & safety.
 

When Autumn was finally able to come home, the whole family had a lot of adjusting to do, but they were just thankful they could all be one big family again (or for Autumn, for the first time.)
 

Since then, the family has treasured every minute together, and grown closer than ever, never once taking the memories they’ve made along the way for granted. Not only are they one big family, but they are an even bigger family now, having just welcomed their fourth daughter to the family this month.
 

Josh, Autumn’s dad, told us, “Autumn is happy and healthy, and definitely enjoying being home. While she is not out of the woods yet on her immune system, her labs are improving and we should hopefully be good to stop her immune-suppressing medications this summer and ease up on isolation.”
 

With so many exciting developments, we’re eager to hear what else this year brings for Autumn and her family. While nothing is guaranteed, one thing is for certain, this grant helped bring a little girl home to her family, and it doesn’t get much more life-changing than that.