Behind the Seams of a Work of Heart

This post is probably the first post where we are actually taking you behind some scenes like the title of the blog implies. It is hard to know where to begin when the post subject dates back 15 years. It all began at the beginning of B4SMA, in fact, some of it may have come before the official start. Gma Jlo saved "scraps" of fabric used in making blankets that were quilted. At the time, we weren't sure what the purpose of saving each piece would turn out to be, but none the less, the ritual continued up until the end of 2018. Each and every blanket made with flannel, by volunteers Gma Jlo, UNI B, DynamiTe, and Gram Losstitch, is represented as they saved their scraps also. For the better part of the last 15 years, those scraps have simply piled up at Gma Jlo's house waiting to find their purpose. 

At the beginning of 2019, Gma Jlo got tired of having all these pieces, some little and some bigger, just sitting in her closet. Whether or not she will ever admit this, she is kind of a genius. She decided to take all of the scraps of flannel and turn them into a memory quilt, of sorts, for us. Each and every piece has a memory and a child (teenager, young adult) attached to it. From a blanket made back in 2006 featuring zoo animals to one made with flowers on it last month; each flannel blanket is represented equally. It will take us weeks, if not months, to look at and discover each and every strip incorporated in this stunning work of art...work of "heart". The quilt will be a treasured memento for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Gma Jlo, for having the forethought and, yes, genius idea of saving little scraps of fabric so that someday, today and any day in the future, we can fondly look back and play "I Spy"/"Eye Spy" with each piece of material used to create this masterpiece. 

Here, in all its glory, is the quilt featuring the flannel used in blankets in the 15 years of B4SMA flannel blanket making history.

The Flannel Work of Heart
(with the back of the quilt visible in the upper right corner)

The Work of Heart

I Spy: Behind the Seams of the Eye Spy Blanket

Last Eye Spy Blanket Made

Back in March 2004 (no, I can't believe it has been 15 years either). B4SMA was never supposed to be a blanket organization. Initially, we had planned to join forces with another family to provide larger, more comprehensive care packages to families diagnosed with SMA. After making more than 20 blankets Gma Jlo* were more than ready to begin making with this larger organization. Unfortunately, in the long run, or perhaps it was fortunate, that collaboration fell through. The only problem was is that we had 20 blankets and nowhere to send them. B4SMA, like all the best ideas, was born at 2am by a sewing light, Brenda's** brain, and a post-it note.

One of the very first blankets was a fabric panel called eye spy or, like the popular kids game, I-Spy. It quickly became one of our favorites, as it provided, not only a blanket but also a game. Over the years that eye spy panel has made its appearance several times. No two are alike and it is still a favorite15 years later, the eye spy panel has made it's very last home this past month.

Connor R with the First Eye Spy Blanket

Axel D with the Last Eye Spy Blanket

*Volunteer profiles to come in the future. For now, know that Gma Jlo is 1) our first and most active volunteer and 2) in no way like the notable Jennifer Lopez - our Jlo is about it billion times more generous and her sewing skills are impossibly more beautiful.

**Vice President, co-founder, all around the heart and soul of B4SMA going for the past fifteen years.

Help me Find it

Over the past month, I have been seriously inspired by the Sidewalk Prophets' "Live Like That" CD. Every time we drive to the hospital, be it for routine appointments, meetings, or semi emergent problems, we blast "Live Like That" for the entire 45 minute trip. Now, I am the first to admit that I tend to shy away from overtly Christian music for the B4SMA Productions awareness videos due to the fact I want to ensure that everyone feels welcome and supported by B4SMA. That being said, I love listening to Christian music in my personal life and "accidentally" stumbled across "Live Like That" earlier this year. From the first time I listened to it, I felt truly compelled to create SMA Awareness videos centered around three of the songs from the "Live Like That" CD.
In case you are unaware of SMA, here is a bit of information you might find useful:

Quick Facts About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): 

• SMA is the #1 genetic killer of children under the age of 2. 

• SMA children with the most severe form often face quickly  increasing muscle weakness, leading to paralysis and death. 

• One of every 6,000 children born are affected by SMA. 

• One out of 40 people, most unknowingly, carry this deadly gene. 

• SMA does not discriminate. 

• There is NO CURE, however, with funding for research, SMA is the most likely genetic disease to be cured in the next 2-4 years.  A cure might not restore lost functions, but will stop further regression. 

While August is recognized as SMA Awareness Month, for families who have had their lives irrevocably altered by the diagnosis, every month is SMA Awareness Month. Educate yourself and others about this disease and help us find a cure.

Every year, I do my best to educate my friends and family about SMA and the challenges facing those living with it, as well as those who have lost their battle. I also aim to give you facts and stats in regards to SMA. I will be doing all of that again this year but with a twist... I am not the only face of SMA. I am just one of thousands. This year I hoped to not only educate but to introduce others who have been impacted by SMA, as well as organizations that improve the lives of individuals. My original goal did not involve God or Christianity but I think He led me to different plans. I would like to encourage everyone to watch all of the videos to the right and below and learn more about SMA and Help Us Find a Cure.

Save My Life SMA Awareness video

This is Not Goodbye SMA Awareness video

Butterflies for Hannah

Earlier this year we were the recipients of a generous donation from Hope for SMA. An organization started in memory of a little girl named Hannah, Hope for SMA is dedicated to finding a cure for SMA but, like us, believes that family support is also extremely important.

Julie, Hannah's grandmother, asked that a portion of the donation be used to make blankets in memory and honor of Hannah. It took a bit of time and searching but we were eventually able to find exactly what we thought represented Hannah and her amazing family.



G'ma J'Lo, one of our most important and dedicated volunteers (don't worry, we will do an in-depth description of each of our major volunteers once the new website is up), and Grandma GoldenHeart, one of our other most important and active volunteers, set to work on creating beautiful blankets with the material we found. Below is the result; mostly butterflies but we did manage to find one that will be better suited to a boy (which has already been sent and received to a little boy named Logan. Click Here to see a photo of Logan enjoying his blanket).

Aren't they wonderful? Hannah never received a blanket from us at B4SMA but never the less her memory lives on through the donation from Hope for SMA and we are extremely grateful.

Want to know more about Hannah? Watch her story, told by her amazing mom, Jessica, by Clicking Here
Want to support B4SMA also? Email us at b4sma_kids@yahoo.com for further details