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Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation - website
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5th Annual
Sweet Jam
May 9 at
the Newport Beach Sports Museum
"Love Is..." Pro/Celeb Tennis Tournament
May
10 at the Newport Beach Tennis Club
Granting wishes for siblings of severely
disabled children...because hearts are not meant to be broken
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In photos..... Joe, Storme', and Arial Sweet,
Larry Carroll, Ken & Rose Norton, David Conrad, Grady Richardson, Mark Mitchell, Capt Jack "Sam"Sparrow, Tim, Csilla,
Andrew, & Nikki Carr, Allie Eyserbeck, Peter Peterson, Kat Ellis, and others
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Fragile Hearts Foundation. is a
non-profit 501(c) 3 charitable organization granting wishes to siblings of severely disabled children with life threatening
conditions. The focus of a family with a child having serious medical conditions is often out of necessity, on the disabled
child. As a result, the balance and familial interaction can be delicate.
The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts
Foundation was founded in 2002 by Joe, Storme’ and Ariel Sweet in memory of their son and brother, Aliah Sweet. Aliah
was an infectiously happy child with severe, multiple life threatening disabilities. As a result of his being born with a
rare syndrome, Aliah was wheelchair bound and he required a respirator. Aliah passed away at age nine in 2001. His sister,
Ariel, two years older, survives Aliah. They were best friends with a powerful bond. The pure and innocent joy of their relationship
was punctuated by Ariel’s constant concern for her brother’s well being. Ariel always put Aliah’s needs
first.
The relationship between the two
is representative of countless siblings with similar circumstances. Over the past nine years, the Sweets had the unique opportunity
to interact with numerous siblings in intensive care waiting rooms, in crowded clinics, during the holiday seasons and too
often at memorial services. The Sweets noted that siblings frequently miss out on normal family and school activities. There
are many organizations that support children with disabilities however, very few specifically address sibling needs.
The primary goal is simply to listen
to a child and show them that they are special. Everyone has some childhood memory of a great day or a special present. The
Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation wants to provide that memory for the sibling and ultimately make a difference in their
lives. Most parents are aware that siblings need to feel special, but often do not have the financial or emotional resources
to change the situation for their children. Granting a sibling wish has a profound impact on the entire family.
One of the secondary goals is to
create sensitivity to the complexity of sibling issues much like the Kennedy family has created for persons with special needs,
through the Special Olympics.
Referrals generally come from hospitals,
caregivers and cooperating service agencies. The NFL Retired Players Foundation and the NBAPA West support The Aliah Sweet
Fragile Hearts Foundation.
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