After so much adversity in their lives, Bailey age 18 and her brother Taylor, age 5 attended the C.A.S.T. for Kids event in Arizona and had a blast!
Bailey is a very positive girl after going through all she has endured. Bailey’s left cavity of her heart wasn’t properly formed so she had several operations early on including a heart transplant, vision problems, hearing loss, epileptic seizures, cancer at the age of 12 and underwent a year of chemotherapy, medical PTSD from being at the doctors and a brain injury after being shaken by a licensed childcare provider.
Bailey has overcome so much. Bailey has had serious, serious medical problems, starting with a heart transplant when she was just 2 months old. Life is hard for children like Bailey, and their parents. And we set out to lift their burdens at C.A.S.T. for Kids events, where they can come out and just enjoy a relaxing day of fishing and boating on the water.” – Jay Yelas, Executive Director, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation
It’s hills and valleys… It is not easy, of course. It takes an emotional toll on you. Being a single parent… I’m not a fisherman, so I wouldn’t even know how to begin. She got to share it this year with her brother, so that was really cool. Gosh, the biggest thing I guess it gives me is — a smile in my heart when I see them smile. I get to hear them laugh, and giggle, and Bailey laughs so hard, and Taylor Taylor’s just like, “Did you see that! Did you see that!” – Maryann, Bailey’s mom
However, after all Bailey has endured, she too has overcome so many of life’s obstacles and enjoys spending time on the water fishing and boating at C.A.S.T. for Kids events.
Her laughter is electrifying and contagious. She gets everyone else laughing at the event and having a blast. She is so outgoing and fun which makes other kids feel accepted, loved and relaxed.
It’s a very special day when a child with special needs can feel normal and like themselves.
At the event, everyone shares a special experience together, bonded and united as a team. They catch a special thrill fishing together which has a profound positive impact, not only on their lives but on their families too.
Each child receives a tackle box, fishing rod, cap, and t-shirt which is one of Bailey’s favorite things…she loves the “toys” as she calls them and being on the water boating and fishing with her little brother and mom. A C.A.S.T. for Kids event is such an amazing experience that unites families and relieves the reality of their daily lives where they can just laugh and be themselves, enjoying all of life’s simplicities.
Kids with special needs, when they get to be a part of something, with people that actually act like they want them there, it is like —it’s like they’re home, and that’s pretty cool. – Maryann, Bailey’s mom
At C.A.S.T. for Kids, we believe in empowering all kids to catch a special thrill by taking them on a fun-filled day of fishing, celebrating them as loved and valuable, and encouraging them to believe anything is possible.
Impact a child like Bailey’s life with joy by donating today