Savannah "Savvy"

Savvy and Crescent Cove nurse enjoy sunshine during a summer respite stay.

"Crescent Cove Sees Savvy the way we see her, as a full person who needs love and attention."

Parents Lacy and Jeff are grateful for the respite care their daughter Savannah “Savvy” receives at Crescent Cove. Savvy is the third of their three children and was born with symptoms of a severe neuromuscular disorder that defies diagnosis.

“She came home on hospice originally, we didn’t think she’d live very long,” explains Jeff, Savvy’s dad. Despite doctors’ predictions, Savvy survived and is now 4 years old. She needs treatments to ensure her lungs stay clear, feeding assistance, daily stretches and movement, and frequent suctioning as she is unable to swallow on her own.

“Savvy requires constant watching and care,” says Lacy. “There’s always an alarm going off.”

Savvy comes to Crescent Cove for respite care while her family enjoys short vacations. While the family values quality time together, Savvy relishes in a Crescent Cove “spa day,” experiencing a relaxing bubble bath and freshly painted nails, all while her curly red hair is styled and braided.

Since Savvy’s first visit, she has returned to Crescent Cove for several more respite stays. “A lot of people might see Savannah and have a hard time seeing her for who she is,” says Jeff. “She’s effectively fully paralyzed and can’t do anything for herself, but she has a personality, she has wants, likes and dislikes, and has her own ways of communicating with us. The staff at Crescent Cove see her the way we see her, as a full person who needs love and attention.”

Every respite stay is carefully planned to meet the care plan and goals of each child. For some, that means plenty of time outdoors doing a scavenger hunt, collecting leaves, or playing in the snow. For others, music therapy is appreciated, feeling the vibrations of a guitar. For Savvy, extra time in the bathtub, surrounded by bubbles and bath toys, followed by a visit from a therapy dog is exactly what she needs.

Your gift to our year-end campaign will be matched by a generous anonymous donor — up to $20,000 in total giving — when given before Dec. 31. Thank you for helping support families like Savvy's.