Brandi

Brandi Baker -
April 31, 2007: Hi Sarah and Vera! Brandi is doing great even though she's had a few ups and downs lately but who wouldn't? The reason I'm writing you is because Brandi has a part time job with a charitable foundation whose mission is to provide assistance to disabled children and adults. What they do is give grants to organizations with a 501(c)3 designation and I know 4-H fits that guideline. I didn't know if 4-H had any programs for disabled/handicapped youths but the board of directors would be interested in hearing a presentation. The handicap could be physical or mental or developmental. I would be happy to mail you an invitation for the next board meeting which is on April 25th at 3pm in Mount Dora. The request for funds could be used towards camp fees for disabled children, accessibility ramps or equipment, or anything else related to helping kids with handicaps. This is NOT expressly for Brandi but for all others with a need. I just think the world of 4-H and thought it might be a way for you to possibly get more funding. I believe that todays young people need a creative outlet and 4-H is a terrific place for them to find their strengths. hank you for everything you've done for us. Stephani Caruso(Brandi Baker's stepmom)
June 14, 2006 Brandi is home from Shriner’s hospital and is doing well. She has plans to come to the state horse show in Tampa and visit friends who are there competing. Brandi welcomes contacts and phone calls. Thanks to all of you who have been praying and thinking of Brandi during this challenging period in her life.
UPDATE: May 25, 2006 - From Brandi's mom. I want to first thank you for your support and prayers for Brandi. You don't know how much it means to us to know that you're pulling for Brandi, 4-H and horses are her life and I don't see that changing. Brandi is progressing by leaps and bounds, she's the most amazing person I've ever met. We're at the Shriners in PA and the hospital is beautiful, very state of the art and the staff has been super. We hope to be home by June 10th and Brandi has been working hard. We'll see you when we get back and thank you again. Stephani
Hello Everyone - I am typing an "update" letter to those of you that emailed me during the past two months ;} First of all, thank you all, each and every one, for your kind thoughts, words and prayers. And, of course, thank you for your generous donations and support. As most of you know, the BBQ Fund Raiser that we had back on April 29 generated a huge response, and as a result the Brandi Baker Fund has grown beyond our wildest expectations! So, on behalf of Brandi and her family, Stephani, Buck, Brittani, Brenna (and Rain ;) I wanted to let you know how much your commitment to helping Brandi has been and always will be appreciated. Through all of your efforts, each in your own way, yet all for the same reason, we have seen many lives come together, and what a blessing that has been. A very silver lining in an otherwise quite dark and scary cloud :)Brandi and Stephani are in Philadelphia at the Shriners' Hospital for Spinal Cord Injuries, which is fantastic. They have been there for three weeks. It is the best care in the world and it is free. What a remarkable organization, those Shriners. We all think of them in their cool little cars in parades, but the sheer vastness of it is amazing. The more you find out about them, the more you want to know! A special thanks to Harper Plumbing for their assistance with the Shriners' program. They will be back Thursday, June 1st. Brandi's physical progress has been fantastic, her attitude nothing short of super, and her spirits are very high. Stephani, her Mom (well, stepmom), has been her rock through this very challenging time in all of their lives, and will continue to be right by her side. They are quite a team :) We are all anxiously awaiting their return, (there will be a welcome home Brandi party, TBA ;) and she will try to come to the Saturday, June 10th horse show at MyJestic Ranch in Eustis. There will be a fundraiser auction with all kinds of good stuff, as well as a Benefit Jackpot Mounted Shooting event. So come on out if you can. Email me if you need directions. The address is My Jestic Ranch, 26711 Leeward St., Eustis FL. A special thanks to Candy & Keith of KC Framing, Inc. for the beautiful ramp they built for Brandi, and to all those helping make the house wheelchair accessible. Your hard work is a testimony to the good and kind people of this world! Thank you again & God Bless, Nancy Hines
Lauren Ritchie: Lake Sentinel Dinner will aid teen paralyzed in fall off horse Published April 19, 2006 --- Brandi Baker knew the truth before doctors and family members gathered in her hospital room to break the news to her five days ago. For a few minutes, everyone wept, then the 16-year-old horsewoman took their hands and consoled them. "You'll be all right. This is going to be OK," she soothed. "This happened for a reason." That is hard to imagine. What reason could there be for a young girl, full of life and eager for adventure, to be confined forever to a wheelchair? Thirteen days ago, Brandi, who is president of the Sorrento Renegades 4-H club, was riding a barrel-racing horse named Mojo alone in woods off Round Lake Road. What happened is a mystery because Brandi doesn't remember the accident. click here to read the rest of the story Thank you to everyone that supported the BBQ at Clarcona Horseman's Park for Area D