You may be tired of hearing the phrase, ‘2020 was a challenging year’. The coronavirus has altered life in many ways while at the same time opening the door to opportunities to make a difference. As we close out 2020, here is an example of one of those opportunties taken by a young man and his mother from Winchester.
12 year old Evan Richards was born with two health challenges: neurofibromatosis and mitochondrial disease. Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow inside and outside the body. His mother Krystena says Evan has a penchant for giving, so when he got wind of a luggage donation program for foster children he and his mom jumped on board. “Because it’s a nice thing to do. Kids would have to carry things in trash bags and that’s sad,” said Evan.
Krystena considering bringing a younger foster child into their home and even completed training classes. That’s when she learned of foster kids moving from one place to another with trash bags to carry belongings. “What are trash bags associated with? Trash. You know, these kids have already been through a lot and to put your things that are really close to you in a trash bag?” asked Krystena.
Krystena said Evan became really sick during this time which made taking on a foster child then not an option. Evan says they collected more than 60 pieces of luggage at their home. It’s distributed throughout the state including Home of the Innocents in Louisville. Director of Outreach Julie Spry says the 140 year old organization cares for the city’s most vulnerable children and families. She says Home of the Innocents is probably best known for its residential therapeutic behavior treatment program for youth.
“As they come in and out of our care they’re often times carrying their belongings in garbage bags so having a suitcase to provide to them gives them a sense of pride and ownership and just a little bit more comfort and stability in all of the things that they are having to take on,” said Spry.
Spry says over 13,000 children and families received care through 20 different services last year. She says the organization probably goes through about 250 to 300 pieces of luggage annually.
In addition to collecting luggage, young Evan also chose to grow his hair long. Having seen children undergoing chemo-therapy and losing their hair, Krystena said Evan decided he wanted to donate some of his hair to help others. “I warned him. I’m like Evan it’s going to be really really awkward stage. You’re going to get that far and I said you’re probably gonna want to cut it and then you will have done all that for nothing and he’s like, “no,” explained Krystena
So for several months now Evan’s hair has been growing longer. He and his mother admit it has changed the way some people view him.
“I get mistaken for a girl all the time. Ladies first. And what a cute daughter you have,” said Evan.
“Especially with the mask. Every time we go to UK they go, ‘oh what’s her appointment?’,” laughed Krystena.
Evan says he and his mom recently stopped correcting people, saying, quote, “we let them figure it out for themselves.”
At Lexington’s Planet Salon, Evan had been a customer. Hair Artistic Director Josie Dance said she had cut Evan’s hair for around five years and found it an educational experience.
“Yeah, Evan is actually wonderful. He’s so smart. We have such great conversation. I know I’ve learned so much from him. He just knows like a lot of random facts. He’s just a super cool kid,” said Dance.
The Lexington hair salon is connected with the hair donation program Wigs For Kids. Hair Style Director Laura Hogan is an ambassador for the Ohio based organization. Hogan says donations must be at least 12 inches long and not be colored, treated, or extremely damaged.
“Then it gets sent off to the program. They go through an extreme sterilization process, which is why it can’t be colored. Then it takes about 16 pony tails to make a wig. So, multiple people’s hair actually go in to connect one wig together,” said Hogan.
Tom Greiner is the administrative manager for Wigs For Kids. He says the 40 year old organization was founded by well-known hair stylist Jeffrey Paul who developed a hair piece to fit his active gymnastic niece who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Greiner says children undergoing chemotherapy can be subjected to being picked on if they are bald or wearing an ill-fitted hairpiece.
“So, our goal is to build self-esteem in those children. To make those children see themselves as themselves and it’s very important to a child,” explained Greiner.
Greiner says Wigs for Kids served about 500 children last year.
One more endeavor the Richards had considered this holiday season was setting up a festive pet picture taking operation. Krystena said her mother and dad lost a 17 year old dog this fall and that gave them the idea for the project. Krystena said it was a little much with Evan’s condition right now, but maybe next year.
So 2020 may have been a tough year – but perhaps it’s a little better thanks to Evan and the gifts he is providing to others.
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