Helping others in Grace's name
-Granger couple
develop foundation for sick children and their families.
KIM KILBRIDE
Tribune Staff Writer
When Pete and Suzanne Letherman were at Riley Hospital for Children with their
newborn daughter Grace in 2002, they pledged to find a way to help the sick
children and their families there.
Just months later, their own little "Sweet Pea" was gone.
But, the couple's determination to start a foundation in her name lived on.
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Tribune Photo/GREG SWIERCZ Pete and Suzanne Letherman, of Granger, have been working to strengthen the Sweet Pea Foundation they started to honor the memory of their daughter, Grace, who died several years ago as an infant from a rare disorder. The painting is an image of Grace. |
Five years later, the Lethermans
and their contributors have assisted kids and families at Riley and other
hospitals.
In fact, since its inception, the Sweet Pea Foundation has provided some 2,500
toys and 110 "big ticket" items, such as video game systems and DVD players, to
several hospitals.
The Lethermans also recently made a donation of $3,500 to sponsor a room at the
Ronald McDonald House of Indiana, located on the IUPUI campus, for a year in the
memory of Grace.
Grace Elizabeth Letherman -- Sweet Pea to her parents -- died when she was 6
months old from spinal muscular atrophy.
She'd been hospitalized, either at Riley or Children's Memorial Hospital in
Chicago and later Memorial Hospital in South Bend, for much of her short life.
In early April 2003, Pete and Suzanne had her ventilator removed and brought her
home with the assistance of Hospice.
"She lived for six weeks with no bells or whistles," her dad said.
Both of her parents said they treasure those days when they were able to pick up
their little Sweet Pea and hold her close.
Before Grace's death, the family had received a variety of donations from
friends and family members, Pete said. After, the memorial contributions started
coming in.
They were all directed to the foundation to be used to help sick children.
Looking to the future, the Lethermans are working on developing a signature toy,
a stuffed puppy perhaps, that would bear the foundation -- and Grace's -- name.
Another new goal of the couple's is to see the "Seeds of Grace" program come to
fruition.
Just as Grace planted a seed by inspiring her parents to establish the Sweet Pea
Foundation, Suzanne said, she and Pete want to spread Grace's "seeds" by funding
activities in hospitals and other places that care for sick children.
Grace's life, both her parents said, changed them for the better.
And, the foundation has helped them deal with her death.
"This gives us an opportunity to continue to talk about her," Pete said. " ...
Here we are almost four or five years later and we're still remembering her."
These days, a drawing of Grace and another of her and her parents flank the
fireplace of the family's Granger home.
Three-year-old Andrew and 16-month-old Cecilia are already learning about their
sister and the impact she made in the months she lived.
What would Grace think about the Sweet Pea Foundation?
"My ultimate goal is to make her proud," Pete said, "and hopefully be worthy
enough to go see her again."
To learn more about the Sweet Pea Foundation, visit
www.sweetpeafoundation.org.
Staff writer Kim Kilbride:
kkilbride@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6554
