BIRDIES FOR BUTTERFLIES

Hope for William

William Vinson was born on March 16th 2010. He was initially a very healthy little boy. Within a few short hours, William developed signs of a very serious complication with his skin. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) a chronic, painful, genetic skin disorder with no known cure.

This blog was created by Anim’s (William’s Mother) sister, Larina McClain. I do this to create awareness and have a place to post updates for our Bi-Annual charity golf tournament that we began hosting back in 2014 in Colorado to raise money for kids who suffer from this debilitating condition.

WHAT IS EB?……..Imagine life were every moment is constant pain. EB children are referred to as Butterfly children because their skin is as delicate as a butterfly’s wings. Imagine life as a mother, wanting to comfort your child in pain but you cannot, because the slightest friction will cause your childs skin to blister and tear. EB children must keep their entire bodies wrapped in bandages to protect their skin. Bandages must be changed every other day and can take three adults up to four hours to complete.

WILLIAM?…….. He is an Angel. He smiles all the time in spite of the pain. He has already brought joy into so many peoples lives. In spite of his mouth being blistered inside, he eats, laughs and even walks. He loves interaction and any kid of learning experience, art, science, nature, horseback riding, music, action heroes and most of his family.

Since this journey began, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the most wonderful people in the community dedicated to bringing about change and hope for the EB community. Through the Children’s Hospital Foundation and The Butterfly Family Fund we have found a way to make a direct impact on these children’s lives today through our next event.

We hope you will join us!

To learn more about this incredible event Birdies for Butterflies on September 11th 2023, visit the Birdies for Butterflies page.

Thank you so very much for your thoughts, prayers and donations. They are greatly appreciated, more then you know.

Video of William from our 2018 Event

Meet Brady – One of our other Guests of honor living with EB in Colorado

For more information on this disorder here are some web links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermolysis_bullosa

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7qirJXWhzc -Not for the faint or heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZaXvIoj2BU&feature=related

Kisses to William!!!

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Want to help??? Join us for the 2023 Birdies for Butterflies event on September 11th 2023 http://www.BirdiesForButterflies.com

13 responses to “Hope for William”

laurie

April 21, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Hi Larina…
I posted a brief story and one of the youtube videos on my cause on Facebook – the butterfly Fund. To date, almost 500 people have watched and send you all their love and prayers.
You are an amazing family and how lucky William is to be with all of you. Thank you for the updates – there really are so many people out there who truly care. I think of all of you everyday and you inspire me and push me to keep raising awareness.
Laurie Sterner

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Vicki Swett

November 2, 2011 at 4:58 am

What a beautiful baby boy! thanks jayne roddy for sharing william’s story. God Bless all of you! i wish i could do more! i will keep all of you in my prayers!
Vicki Swett

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Tay McKenzie

April 26, 2012 at 3:42 am

As a mom I can’t imagine how hard it is to see your child suffer like this. My heart and my as well as my families prayers are with you and your beautiful little boy. I really believe that God will see you guys through this and he will do great things as long as you keep your faith. God bless you both.

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Gianna

April 26, 2012 at 3:42 am

He looks like a sweet baby boy!!! I’m so sorry to hear about him and his condition, our prayers and thoughts our with you and your family!!! I pray that his time spent with you and your family is the most precious time of all!!!!

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Amanda

April 26, 2012 at 3:54 am

Larina-
William & mother are absolutely amazing. I added your family to my prayers & fervently ask that their comfort be found. I am hoping that Fox31’s segment tonight ignites a fire for the awareness to this disease. My family, in the last few years, has come aware of another disease not yet also familiar to the common public. My cousin’s child was diagnosed with Krabe’s, a type of “dystrophy” that is not tested for prior to child birth. The sad thing is, it can be cured if found prior to child birth. I hope & pray that William’s illness, like my cousin Hadley’s illness, can be recognized & sought out by doctors so that cures can be tested & found. God bless your family & those that come down your path that can ease the pain your family go through. My love, heart, & prayers go out to you and your family!

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Jean

April 26, 2012 at 3:54 am

I am filled with awe at the strength and love. Your faith in God incredible, mine was questioned when I saw this. You have blessed me William.

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Nan

April 26, 2012 at 3:58 am

I just saw the story about William on the news tonight and I felt so many emotions inside. I was so proud of you, mom, that you can be so strong through everything. I felt so sad for William, but knew that he was here for a reason like you said and would teach us all a lesson we won’t forget. I felt selfish for ever thinking that I had things bad and made me count my blessings. My prayers are with all of you and I know that that beautiful little boy will be ok, he has a wonderful family to support him and the prayers and thoughts of the world. Bless all of you.

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Alex

April 26, 2012 at 4:12 am

I just saw Williams story on fox news and it brought me to tears, no joke. I applaud you and your family for being so strong and supportive for william and his needs. If you guys need help with anything whether it be raising awareness about EB, donating money to help pay for supplies or if William ever wants someone to play with, I have a little brother and he’s always up for making new friends. My thoughts go out to you and your family.
Alex Ingraham

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Janet Sides

April 27, 2012 at 12:06 am

I am impressed by all your dedication and care for your sweet boy. I am marking your blog for future use to give to other parents that may go through similar situations as your family has. I work in an NICU as a parent support person. We just had one family leave our NICU (finally) who was experiencing the same thing. God Bless you, and I will be keeping you all in prayer.

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sue Vansaghi

April 27, 2012 at 2:05 am

Latina we saw Williams’s story on the news last evening and immediately fell in love with little William what a strong little guy he is so lucky to have such a loving Mother, we enjoyed watching him dance I fell asleep last night thinking about him and have thought about him several times today and plan to stay informed about fundraisers and donations we can make we will pray for William and your journey. Sue and Kelly Vansaghi

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Pamela Sommer

April 27, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Hi Larina, I saw William’s story on the news the other night and have not been able to stop thinking about him and his family. This story truly touched my heart. I too have a 2 yr. old and can not imagine having my child in constant pain and knowing that the loving arms that are suppose to care for him and comfort him can bring more pain. I could not sleep the night that I saw the story air and all I could do was pray for him. I asked God if there is anything that I personally can do to help and it came to me to contact an acquaintance that I have that is nutritional therapist. I asked her to view the story and let me know if she knew of anything along the health/nutrition aspect that could be done to help little William. She did email me back with some information. If William’s family would be willing I would like to pay for any testing and nutritional supplements that may be able to help him. I know so many times we rely on conventional medicine when I really believe that God has given us everything we need here on this earth to help with the ailments that we may face. If you would please pass my information along I would appreciate it. I will be praying for William and his family. My email is onewaymortgage@comcast.net.
God Bless,
Pamela Sommer

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1. Larina McClain
  
  April 30, 2012 at 12:01 am
  
  Wow It touches my heart when I get these kind of responses. I realize what wonderful people there are in this world and how big some peoples hearts are. I am encouraged that because of this, someday there will be a cure! I sent you a response to your e-mail.
  
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Debbie Milkes

September 28, 2017 at 11:10 pm

William is such a beautiful and amazing boy. What a smile! I never heard of EB before. I can’t imagine living with that kind of pain. He is teaching all of us in one way or another. William and his family are now in my prayers. Larina, thank you for helping create awareness for this terrible disease. I’m so thankful that William has such a loving and supportive family.

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