Our Story
The Purpose Behind Our Passion
In January 2022 our son, Graham, suffered a spinal L1 Lumbar Burst Fracture and spinal cord injury. The next few weeks and months were difficult as we spent a week in the pediatric ICU isolated covid wing, and then 2 weeks at in-patient rehabilitation. Although extremely blessed to receive amazing care from talented healthcare providers we realized how lonely and isolating extended hospital care can be.
As parents, the next days and weeks would be mentally and physically exhausting with long days, overnight stays and the flood of care and information from doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff. The brief moments of quiet between all the activity would bring overwhelming emotions of loneliness and fear of how life had changed overnight. During the hardest moments any unexpected gift made us feel cared for and supported.
It was from those many hours and nights that A Graham of Love was born. From our own experience we knew the best way we could make other parents feel known, encouraged, and comforted was a gift tote bag filled with encouraging notes, items, and treats.
Serving Families together
Rehabilitation is a team effort.
Board Members
Laura Rhoades
Founder and President
Laura founded A Graham of Love after spending many weeks in the pediatric ICU and in-patient rehabilitation with her son, Graham. While Laura and her husband cared for their son, they felt the impact of being isolated and alone, and each of their family members experienced many trials in dealing with the tragic accident. Through that time, Graham and his family were blessed in so many ways by family and friends, and now they want to do the same for others. Building relationships and caring for others has been a consistent theme throughout Laura’s life that has brought her great Joy. Their hope is that the community of A Graham of Love brings comfort and joy to other families affected by medical issues. They hope to encourage and comfort the parents of those in long-term medical care.
Alison Stubing
Board Member
Alison Stubing is the Founder and President of LIFE Therapies, llc. LIFE Therapies, llc , founded in 1996, provides in home habilitation therapy to adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities. As a therapist herself, Alison uses her 27 years of experience to meet each client’s individual needs. She is deeply passionate about helping her clients develop the skills needed to enhance functional independence for community living and to promote a higher quality of life for the individual and therefore their family. Being on the board of A Graham of Love touches Alison both professionally and personally. Alison Stated, “When human beings experience trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to feel out of control. Watching my sister in law and family go through my nephew’s traumatic injury I saw so clearly how much need there is to help families like hers find some moments of comfort during a very stressful time.”
Katy Hancock
Board Member
Katy Hancock owns KTPR & Communications, a Dallas-based communications consultancy. A long-time veteran of big public relations firms, Katy joined the A Graham of Love board in the spring of 2023 to help build awareness of our efforts to support families as they walk through trying days, weeks or months of treatment and healing.
Ambassadors
Graham Rhoades
Graham, 18, is a freshman at Texas Tech University. He’s passionate about his faith and loves adventure—whether it’s off-roading in his truck or urban exploring. One of the highlights of his freshman year has been being part of the Goin’ Band. A walking miracle and the catalyst for this nonprofit, Graham’s journey began when he suffered an L1 lumbar burst fracture and a spinal cord injury while playing with a friend. His recovery was long, but through resilience and perseverance, he has only grown stronger, proving that adversity doesn’t define him—it fuels him.
Our goal is to gift parents tote bags filled with comfort items, encouraging notes and treats. Your donation will help make this vision be put in action.
A $75 donation gifts one filled tote bag to a parent in need!
Our goal is to gift parents tote bags filled with comfort items, encouraging notes and treats. Your donation will help make this vision be put in action.
A $75 donation gifts one filled tote bag to a parent in need!
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