Paying it forward

By: HEATHER
BOGARD
Associate Editor

Addie Triplett, the nine year old daughter of Shawn and Kashada Triplett of Vidrine, received the trip of a lifetime last year through the Dreams Come True Louisiana Program. Addie, who was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder named Leigh Syndrome last year, first learned about the Dreams Come True Louisiana Program from her mom. Kashada’s cousin Brooke Saucier had Muscular Dystrophy and received her dream wish from the organization 20 years ago. Kashada’s uncle Tim Saucier put Addie’s name on the list through the organization, and once the application was filled out by her doctor and the home interview was completed, Addie and her parents planned a trip to Disney World to fulfill Addie’s dream vacation. The family had a wonderful time, and Kashada said the Dreams Come True staff was great to work with and very accommodating.
It was on their way home from their Disney experience that Addie told her mom she wished she could pay it forward and help other kids like her so they could also have their wishes granted like she did. Kashada recalled Addie had always wanted to do a lemonade stand, and suggested doing that as a fund raiser. With the help of the Vidrine and surrounding community, the event was put together and held on Friday, July 22.
Kashada was amazed by the community’s generosity and overwhelming support. She said, “The turnout was wonderful and well exceeded our expectations.” She said donations are still coming in, and the paypal (lemonhead2022@yahoo.com) is still open. As a result, the grand total amount raised through Addie’s lemonade stand will be announced sometime later August when Addie presents a check to Dreams Come True Louisiana Director Becky Prejean. However, Kashada hinted, “Let me just say, she has surpassed her original goal by far. Stay tuned for the amazing outcome of your generosity! Thanks again for helping Addie to pay it forward. We appreciate your patience! We love y’all and God bless!” She gave a special thank you to the owners of CC’s Snow for the use of their stand.
Kashada shares, “Our community and surrounding areas, family and friends, and local businesses are amazing! This past year has by far been the hardest, most challenging year for us. As a parent you always want to protect your child, so when you can’t ‘make it all better,’ there’s an overwhelming sense of helplessness felt. I turned to prayer and even reached out to you guys asking for more prayers. Then suddenly things started to look different; in a positive light.” She continues. “I believe in the power of prayer and that there is still plenty of good left in this world. All of you have helped me to see this again. The way y’all come to my rescue every time I cry out for prayers and the way y’all supported my girl’s dream with such great love for this fund raiser has touched this momma heart so much! I’ll never be able to express enough what this means to all three of us!”