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One day, during Grant’s therapy session,
his therapist noticed the photo necklace his mom, Melissa, was wearing. Melissa explained she made it herself. The therapist replied,” I
know someone you absolutely need to meet.”
Andrea made a set of tumbled marble
“photo” coasters for her parents as a gift. With encouragement from her
friends and family, she displayed her work at the Villa Restaurant in
downtown Lapeer. Locals began showing interest in her work and orders were
flowing in. Her hobby of turning photographs into timeless art treasures had
become a full time job.
Melissa’s’ journey began after her third son, Grant, was born. Doctors
suspect Grant has a rare genetic syndrome. Melissa and Jeff suspected there
was more to his condition. He did not talk, point, laugh, or cry and would
not look at anyone directly. They had him tested for Autism, and Grant was
diagnosed when he was 3 years old. Melissa and Jeff immediately made dietary
changes and began intensive therapy for Grant. He improved rapidly and
dramatically once in the therapy. Insurance would not cover the therapy that
was positively changing Grants development, so Melissa began to make photo
jewelry to supplement their income. This is when Grant’s therapists
introduced Melissa to Andrea. Two moms, each involved in their own talent,
met and made an immediate connection. They “fused” their talents, and Fusion
Jewelry and Tiles was born.
Out of the financial stress encountered when trying to get Grant his much
needed therapy, Jeff and Melissa started a fund for other families in their
area experiencing the same frustration. Lapeer Autism Family Relief Fund was
begun in Grant’s honor, through the Lapeer County Community Foundation, a
nonprofit organization in their community. They wanted families with
autistic children to have an opportunity to request and receive financial
help for uncovered therapy expenses. This idea helped bring Andrea and
Melissa, and Fusion Jewelry and Tiles, to their mission.
Our mission statement is this: “We are changing the life of one
…together we can help change the lives of many.” Our
company donates a portion of our sales directly to the Lapeer Autism Family
Relief Fund. We hope the fund will grow large enough to help many families
in our area. Your purchase buys you two things: a unique item you will
treasure for a lifetime AND the knowledge that you have helped a great cause
and made a positive impact in our community.
Thank you in advance for making a difference in a child’s life.
Melissa and Andrea
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Autism affects 1 in every
91 USA children |