Live Sweet + Love All

Nathan :: Multiple Disabilities

Meet Nathan, he is disabled and the light of his momma’s world. Nathan was diagnosed with agenesis of the corpus callosum, a brain disorder that caused when the band of white matter connecting the two hemispheres in the brain fails to develop normally, typically during pregnancy. Along with ACC Nathan has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, an X-linked chromosome genetic disorder that pertains to protein in the body, hypotonia, hearing loss in both ears, cortical vision impairment, GI and swallowing difficulties, and seizure disorder. Although he is 3 years old, Nathan functions at a 6 month level. Despite his daily struggles, Nathan is such a blessing and completes his family.

photography by brittany wilbur

clothing donated by gaga chic

music: tony lucca :: always

Breonna :: Multiple Disabilities

Breonna is an extremely strong little girl who will not let disabilities crush her spirit. At the young age of seven Breonna has endured significant pain and undergone intense circumstances, including 28 surgeries, and takes 16 medications daily. Despite her situation, Breonna laughs and smiles just like any child her age. It is this courageous attitude that helps Breonna fight through the daily battles brought on by her disabilities.

Breonna was born with severe medical conditions that were not properly diagnosed until she was 5 years old. To date her diagnoses are as follows: Congenital Atresia Steonsis of Large Intestine, Rectum, Rectum Canal, and Anus, Imperforate Anus, Chronic Constipation, Spinal Bifida Occulta, Chronic Migraines, Pseudotumor Cerebri, Brain Cysts, Seizures, Asthma, Vitiligo. As direct results of her intrusive treatments Breonna has also been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Anxiety and Depression, A Processing Disorder, Sleeping Disorder. To fully read Breonna’s story please visit her support page, Breonna’s Battles.

photography by brittany wilbur

clothing donated by espi's kids

music by rob thomas :: little wonders

Briana :: High Risk T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

It has almost been a year since life changed forever for Briana and her family. On April 14, 2011, Briana’s mother took her to urgent care after finding purple spots all over her neck and chest. The doctor dismissed it as an allergic reaction and sent her home with a dose of benedryl. By the next day, the spots had spread all over her body and they were accompanied by a nose bleed. The following day Briana had a nose bleed so severe that her parents decided to take her back to urgent care, since it had not relented for over two hours. Briana was then transferred to Hanford Hospital, where doctor’s knew she needed immediate medical attention at Valley Children’s. Once there, doctors ran a plethora of blood tests, and quickly came to a horrifying conclusion; Briana had leukemia. The next day, the specific diagnosis was declared; T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This brave little seven year old began chemotherapy immediately, and continued to receive weekly chemo treatments until December of last year. Since then, she has been on an oral chemo regimen, and she also goes in once a month for treatments in the hospital.

Briana is an amazingly faithful little girl. She continues to pray with her family for strength and healing, and has been an immense inspiration for her family during this difficult time. She is also a girly girl! She loves to dance, sing, draw, and play with her Barbies and her two brothers. As of today, Briana’s blood counts are looking great as she continues to fight towards remission, inspiring everyone around her with her infallible joy, optimism, and faith.

photography by brittany wilbur

bio by alex smith

Abby :: Metastic Pineoblastoma (brain cancer)

Abigail Grace is a precious four year old girl whose story touches the hearts of people near and far. After being sick during June 2011, she had an MRI on July 7th, 2011 which changed the Needham’s life forever. Abby was diagnosed with Metastic Pineoblastoma. This is a malignant brain cancer which has already spread down into her spine. This is a very difficult cancer to overcome.

Throughout the fall of 2011, Abby went through a series of high dose chemotherapy treatments with stem cell transplants. In 2012, Abby’s treatments will continue with metronomic chemotherapy to hold the remaining live disease as long as possible before she endures full cranial-spine radiation. Abby is a miracle child, to say the least, and the family is hopeful for a cure.

I feel privileged for spending an afternoon with this bundle of joy and her loving family. During Abby’s photo session she showed me how she “twirls like a ballerina”. While twirling Abby closed her eyes and stretched her pretty little hands out as far to the side as she could, the sun kissed her face as the wind blew her yellow dress; this was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I could not hold the tears from rolling down my face. This powerful moment touched my heart and I am happy to be able to share this photo with everybody.

If you would like to follow Abby’s story or help support this family please visit Angels for Abby Grace.This is a page designed for individuals or groups who want to help Duncan, Theresa, Lily and Abby Needham as they help Abby fight her battle with brain cancer.

photography/bio by brittany wilbur

clothing donated by ga ga chic

Laila :: Cerebral Palsy

Laila’s mother’s pregnancy started off very normal, in fact she was happy as can be inside her mamma’s belly and had to be evicted via induction. Everything was going well until Laila’s mother was 5cm dilated and Laila’s heart rate started dropping. This called for emergency surgery, and by the time little Laila made her way to the world, she had stopped breathing. After 19 minutes of resuscitation Laila’s doctors were finally able to find a pulse.

After being transferred to Stanford, and then back and forth between the Children’ hospital and home, Laila was still not showing many signs that she would lead anything close to a normal life. She never cried and her eyes kept rolling to the back of her head and her parents feared the worst, that their little girl would be in a vegetated state.

Laila is now, getting ready to celebrate her second birthday and is an amazing burst of joy. Her smile lights up the darkest day, and she is very aware of everything going on around her. She has amazed her parents and has a very special personality all her own. She loves music and sings along in her own special way. She can bear weight on her legs and doctors have hope she may one day walk. She truly is a fighter and an inspiration to all who meet her!

photos/bio by Carrie Anne Miranda

clothing provided by the Prop Closet by Carrie Anne Miranda Photography

music : Alex G. Landslide (cover)

Samantha :: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Samantha is an eclectic 13 year old who has been battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since the tender age of three. Since 2003 Samantha has relapsed with A.L.L. three times. The symptoms which led to the discovery of each relapse were as common as a cold or an ongoing headache. With each diagnosis Samantha continues to stay strong and fight.

Samantha does not let this disease get her down and she completely embraces the struggles A.L.L. brings to her life, including the loss of her hair. Samantha rocks going bald in her own fabulous way… A hot pink mohawk, a blue mohawk… this girl has spunk!

Samantha is a creative fashionista with an edgy vibe. She loves design, arts and crafts, and bracelet making. Watch out fashion world, Samantha might just be the next big design star!

photography by rochelle mort

bio by brittany wilbur

music bruno mars :: just the way you are

Emily :: Pediatric Undifferentiated Sarcoma

When doctors found a tumor the size of a grapefruit on Emily’s liver in early February, her whole family pulled together to take care of one another, especially sweet Emily. Emily’s big sister Sarah was the one I spoke to for the bio, and as she described the courage and beauty her little sister possesses, I couldn’t help but feel the special bond between these two sisters.

Five days after her twelfth birthday, doctors discovered the tumor that they would soon realize was Cancer. Emily’s diagnosis is Pediatric Undifferentiated Sarcoma, which is centralized on the liver. Immediately, Emily started chemotherapy to shrink the tumor that had also begun spreading to her lymph nods. After eight of the proposed ten weeks of chemo, the tumor began to shrink and the cancer in the lymph nodes was eliminated. As a result of this prognosis, Emily will be able to have surgery on the tumor on April tenth, to hopefully have it removed. Even with the majority of her days the last few months spent in the hospital, Emily has remained incredibly optimistic and positive.

Emily is a little social butterfly. She plays in the band at school, remains an active part of her church youth group, and dances ballet. Emily’s joyous and brave spirit has also prompted strangers to reach out to her and her family, offering encouragement and support wherever possible. Emily serves as a light and an inspiration to all who know her.

Photography by Brittany Wilbur

Clothing donated by Ga Ga Chic

Bio written by Alex Smith

music: Dashboard Confessional - Carry This Picture

Gisella :: Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Gisella will celebrate her third birthday in just a few days, however this is not the only milestone this sweet little toddler will endure this month; she will also be having a bone marrow transplant to treat her Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This beautiful little girl was diagnosed in February of 2010, which was followed by chemotherapy treatments, remission, and then a relapse this past October. In January of this year, Gisella suffered kidney and heart failure, which prompted her doctors to schedule her transplant this month at UCSF.

Gisella is a little ball of energy! She loves to sing, dance, and have her picture taken (which is obvious by her beautiful photos). She also loves to paint her nails, her mom’s nails, her older sister’s nail, or anyone who will let her. She will also become a big sister next month! Horses are her favorite animal and Toy Story is her favorite movie. Throughout her illness, Gisella has remained a carefree, joyful little girl. She continues to shine and make other’s smile with her sweet spirit and outgoing personality.

Photography by Brittany Wilbur

Bio by Alex Smith

Francesca Battistelli | Beautiful Beautiful

Caden :: Cerebral Palsy

Sweet little Caden was born at just 30 weeks, weighing only 2lbs 5oz. By the time he was three months old, he had already endured two major surgeries. Caden’s diagnosis include cerebral palsy, microcephely, developmental delays, sensory processing disorder, short gut, failure to thrive, “MR,” and cortical visual impairment. Although Caden is non-verbal and immobile, he is working hard in physical therapy and occupational therapy, as well as at home, to overcome these obstacles.

Caden is a major snuggle bug! He loves to be held and cuddled by his family, and loves to laugh with others. This handsome guy also loves to swing, watch cartoons with lots of music, and he just started preschool. Although Caden has spent more time in the hospital than at home and overcome incredible odds, he is an amazing, happy, and courageous little boy. Caden has been through so much, and still brings incomparable joy to his family and all those who know him.

Photography by Brittany Wilbur

Bio by Alex Smith

Clothing donated by Espi’s Kids

Music: Train – Your Every Color

Karina :: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Sweet Karina was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the spring of 2010 when she was just one month old. Now she is two days shy of her 2nd birthday, she is considered a miracle baby because the survival rate of babies under three months of age getting through treatment is slim to none. We were thrilled to learn that Karina has taken to chemo and will complete her treatment in May 2012.

Photography by Brittany Wilbur

Clothing donated by Ga Ga Chic

Moved to Action

I have been blown away by the community support for Sweet Nectar Society, and we are just getting started. When I launched this idea in February, I wondered if people would want to participate, both behind the scenes and as recipients. I quickly got my answer when we booked eight sessions within the first two weeks and we have continued to booking ever since.

I can’t help but feel emotional to see the way these pictures have effected the families, nurses, and our community in such a positive way… I pray this continues to spread like wildfire; please allow this organization to ignite the spark in you to be moved to action.

Each session has been made available by our team of professional photographers, creative writers, and local clothing boutiques who have donated their time, talents, and fabulous outfits to make the day of our SWEETIES. In order to better serve these families, we are reaching out to our supporters to donate and help make these sessions possible. We now have a convenient and secure DONATE button on our website. Please give what is comfortable for your family. We truly appreciate every dollar.
If you would like to contribute a “Sweet Donation” you or your business will be recognized on our Blog.

Personalized sponsor badges will be provided for the following “Sweet Donations“:

Sweet Blossoms:

$25 monthly donation -6 month commitment *One month personalized Blog Badge space

Sweet Hearts:

$150 one time donation *One month personalized Blog Badge space

Sweet Love:

$300 one time donation *Six month personalized Blog Badge space

Sweet Nectar:

$500 one time donation *One year personalized Blog Badge space

Dominic :: Autism

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” -Angela Schwindt

Dominic is just a few short weeks away from turning seven… How the time flies! Dominic is many things, but to our family he is a son, a brother and a beautiful lesson in life. As a blended family, educating all of the boys by helping them understand Autism is a top priority for us, as well as a way of life. Without words, Dominic has touched our hearts and taught the entire family lessons that we will always carry with us.

Being touched by a child with Autism has been such a wonderful experience. Dominic living with Autism has made each of us stronger, more understanding, patient and compassionate as a family, but also as individuals. Although the life lessons are not always easy, they are priceless and will motivate us all to continue to raise Autism Awareness.