Page 3 - The Islander- March '20

DOUBLE SPACE
The Islander, Page 3

SingEr profilE from page 1

through the end of 2019. The event is a passion project otherwise may not be obtainable for some families and
for Adam and Lissa Gumson, whose oldest daughter, Ava aids families in attending the biannual Family Conference
Shaye Gumson, was diagnosed as a baby with Aicardi where Aicardi families from all over the world gather
Syndrome, a rare congenital neurological seizure disorder to exchange information. This, in turn, enhances each
which inhibits the normal development of motor skills, family’s ability to care for their own Aicardi child.
sight and speech, causing mild to profound developmental Since only 1,000 girls worldwide are afflicted with the
delays. When she was diagnosed, the Gumsons were syndrome, there is very little money for research and the
informed that Ava’s life expectancy was no more than foundation is made up entirely of volunteers (mostly the
two years. Ava is now 15, in 10th grade, and although affected families and their extended family and friends).
she is nonverbal, severely delayed and has multiple To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome or Ava
daily seizures, she is a happy, happy girl who attends Shaye Gumson or the other Aicardi girls, log on to
the Learning Academy on the campus of the Els Center www.aicardisyndromefoundation.org and/or www.
of Excellence. As the MVP of the night, she welcomed ouraicardilife.org or contact Jupiter Law Center at (561)
guests with high 5s before calling it an early evening. 744-4600 if you have any other questions about Aicardi
What started as a small party with friends and Syndrome or about how you can help support the Aicardi
Blue Team Soccer family held at the Gumsons’ home for the first 10 years Syndrome Foundation.
has blossomed into a
Heat, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers and local sports major annual event held
venues All Sports Grill and Brass Ring Pub ensured at the Tequesta Country
that spirits were high and contributions kept coming Club. In its fourth year
as everyone tried their luck in the evening’s games of of hosting this party,
chance. Tequesta Country
Over $40,000 was raised for the Aicardi Syndrome Club brought its “A”
Foundation at the party and in the ensuing weeks/months game, serving a host of
stadium-type food (pizza,
ribs, sliders, hot dogs,
tacos and shrimp kabobs,
to name a few of the
delectable treats) and
beer and other libations.
If only watching sports at
home was this much fun!
The $420,000 raised
since 2006 thus far
helps the foundation to
fund research grants at
both Baylor University
and the University
of California at San
Francisco, underwrites
the cost of wheelchairs
Jamie and Mike and equipment that Average Joes

annual sale

Begins March 2020

th
our 24

MADE IN ITALY

•
•
•
•
•
FURNITURE KITCHENS BATHROOMS WALK-IN CLOSETS • LIGHTING ACCESSORIES GIFTS
•
INTERIOR DESIGN CONDO AND HOME RENOVATION

Casa Farneti

1289 n. Ocean Drive, singer island, Fl 33404 • 561-626-1186
www.casafarneti.com • sales@casafarneti.com
Located just west of the Ocean Mall on East Blue Heron Blvd. • Monday through Friday 10:00-5:00 • Saturday 10:00-2:00