Giovanni

"Giovanni is my miracle child," his mom says. "I was very surprised when I was told I was pregnant, let alone with another boy."

Giovanni is the youngest of five boys, and life in their home is full of energy, laughter, and constant activity. After moving from Chicago to Azle, the family has embraced their new community.

"Seeing them blossom is very rewarding," his mom says. "When someone tells you, 'You are raising them right,' it makes it all worth it."

When Giovanni's doctor recommended a cranial helmet to treat his moderate plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, his mom was determined to get him the care he needed. The helmet would help correct the shape of his head and reduce asymmetries during a critical stage of his development.

But there was one major obstacle.

"I knew Medicaid wasn't going to cover it, and I knew it would be expensive," she recalls.

The family did everything they could. They tried raising the money themselves but came up short. They reached out to other organizations for help, only to be turned away.

"At first we tried to raise the money, but we didn't get enough," she says. "We heard that Gill Children's Services was a last resort place, and we were very grateful Gill was brought to us. We had basically given up."

Thanks to a generous discount from the cranial helmet provider and the compassion of Gill's donors, Giovanni was fitted with the helmet he needed.

Once it arrived, the family made sure it reflected Giovanni's bright personality. A local car wrap company even donated a custom design, transforming his helmet into something as unique as the little boy wearing it.

Today, Giovanni is doing well, and his family is grateful for the kindness that made his treatment possible.

"Thank you so much. We really appreciate it," his mom says. "Coming from a low income family and struggling with raising five boys, coming up with the money was really hard. We are really appreciative of everything Gill does and the people they help. Your generosity does matter, and it goes a long way."