Finding Magic in the Everyday
Elsie loves zooming around a toy car at Crescent Cove!Elsie’s Story of Joy, Resilience, and the Gift of Respite
To spend time with Elsie is to find happiness in many things that adults tend to overlook. Full of curiosity and joy, Elsie finds magic in the simplest of things — a sunny afternoon at the park, a picnic on the grass, or zooming down the street in her toy jeep. She giggles endlessly at the antics of her favorite Muppets, Gonzo and Fozzie, and delights in bedtime stories read aloud by her dad.
Elsie was born with a rare genetic disorder called Costello Syndrome, which brings a host of physical and developmental issues. For Elsie, it’s meant multiple surgeries and hospital stays. She gets nutrition through tube feeding and depends on specialized medical equipment and around-the-clock care — care that her mom and dad provide, alongside a team of nurses.
“Our ‘normal’ is very different than most families,” explains Becky. “Even a simple trip to the park takes major planning — packing meds, diapers, syringes, enteral formula….If we stay anywhere overnight we have to bring lots of medical equipment like vest therapy, CPAP, nebulizer and feeding pump for her overnight feed.”
When Elsie comes to Crescent Cove for respite care, she gets more than expert medical care. She gets to splash in our big bathtub, swing on the indoor swing, enjoy music therapy, and does arts and crafts, surrounded by compassionate care staff and volunteers.
It’s not always easy, but the family has learned to cherish every smile, every laugh, and every goofy moment that Elsie brings into their lives. "She's changed how we view the world," her parents say. “We take things day by day. We’ve learned to be patient, to focus on what really matters.”
That’s why Crescent Cove has been such a gift. Introduced to them by Elsie’s grandmother, the family attended an open house —from that moment, they knew they had found something special. Crescent Cove offers respite care that has changed their lives, giving them space to rest and reconnect. Whether it’s a weekend getaway for Elsie’s parents, or special one-on-one time with Henry — who sometimes feels the weight of being the sibling of a child with medical needs — these moments are precious.
Crescent Cove has become more than just a place — it’s a lifeline. “Please donate,” her family urges. “You’re giving families like ours peace, and kids like Elsie a world full of joy.”
Your gift to this campaign will help us reach our $47,000 fundraising goal and unlock a $23,500 donation for our 7th anniversary. Thank you for giving to support kids and families like Elsie's!