This is Jake Grys. He’s seven years old.
No, I’m not kidding.
Jake has osteogenesis imperfecta – the “brittle bone” disease – and the disorder has limited his growth. He’s the size of an 18 month old.
Jake is the youngest member of the Grys family here in Pekin. This family adopted Jake as well as twin girls with special needs, and they have fostered over 250 children in the past 25 years. Let’s not forget to mention that they’ve taken on this challenge while raising four children of their own.
I’m not a religious man, but I have to say this … if anyone has a non-stop flight straight to heaven waiting for them, it’s these folks.
Why am I telling you about Jake and his wonderful family? Well, a petition has been started to appeal to ABC and Endemol Productions to make Jake’s family the subject of an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. A therapist from Easter Seals has identified some modifications to the home that could allow Jake to have a much greater degree of independence. Right now Jake depends on his family for pretty much all of his activities of daily living.
Please sign the petition. Jake has had way too many bad breaks. It’s time to give him a good one.
15 responses so far ↓
1
Mandy
// May 8, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I’m a friend of Jake’s sister. Just to further update, they have been contacted by the producers of Extreme Home Makeover and the show is very interested in their story. It just goes to show that doing something as simple as signing an online petition can really make a difference in another person’s life. Please everyone take 30 seconds and sign your name and pass the info along to as many people as you can. They are a wonderful and caring family and I am proud to say that I have had the pleasure of getting to know them. Thanks for sharing this story with your readers!
2
knightindragonland
// May 8, 2007 at 10:19 pm
That’s great! Thanks for the update, Mandy.
Please continue to sign on to the petition, folks. The more interest people show, the more likely this will happen and happen soon.
3
jenjw4
// May 9, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I signed it. Good luck to the Grys family.
Jennifer
4
Christa Ingolia
// May 9, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Hi My name is Christa.
I actually work at the patient service center in the hospital, and I have alot of your pts….
Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for helping Jake. He’s my cousin. My Mom and his Mom are sisters.
And I just appreciate everything you do—we love him so much, and the WHOLE family is amazing. Thank you!!!!!
5
Shannon
// May 11, 2007 at 10:00 am
I’ll sign it!
I’m the “snack cart lady” at CB Smith, so I am getting to know who all the kids are and Jake attends there.
What an inspiring family….
6
A Knight in Dragonland » Blog Archive » The Blogfather Adds His Voice
// May 14, 2007 at 7:26 am
[...] case you missed my original post or the follow-up, here’s a little background about Jake, the link to his Easter Seals [...]
7
A Knight in Dragonland » Blog Archive » I've Been Tagged ... I Feel So Funky
// May 27, 2007 at 5:39 pm
[...] bloggers or local media outlets. If that helps to make the world a better place for someone like Jake Grys, then this is worth all the headaches, the name calling, the threats and the attempts of a certain [...]
8
Michele
// Sep 14, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I currently work with a little girl of just 3 years of age who has the disease. She has challenges each day in class and the family is mostly concerned if she might break a bone. She has gone through some breaks in her leg, and is schedule for surgery this Christmas. I wish this family all the luck and God bless them for being generous, kind, and unselfish for helping children of special needs.
9
Jeannie Grys
// Oct 2, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Michele, if there is anything that I can do to help the family of the little girl, please contact me. We are a few years ahead of them experience wise and are always willing to help. Jake’s mom
10
Karvan
// Sep 14, 2008 at 8:47 am
Im researching Brittle Bone Disease on 14th September 2008 at 14:47 and I came across this site Sorry Jake. Karvan randon person.
11
Monica
// Oct 12, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I went to Limestone Highschool where I met Jake what an amazing young man I signed the petition. And I hope they are coming to help him.
12
Maria
// Jan 11, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Hi Jake and family,
My name is Maria (I am 50 now) and when I was growing up, I had a wonderful friend named Ronald who also had Brittle Bone Disease. I was watching your family’s story on Extreme Home Makeover tonight and it brought back so many wonderful memories of my time with Ronald. You and your family are a true inspiration…May God Bless you all.
13
Samantha ♥
// Jan 27, 2009 at 9:46 am
I love Jake even though he has osteogenesis imperfecta its a rare disease in humans and its puts major restrictions on there life it not even funny its crazy but Jake he is a strong little boy to go throught with disease and now he has a house that suits him I am happy for jake he is the cutest little boy I have ever seen your family story on extreme make over home edition was amazing I loved it and I love you JAKE.
14
Samantha ♥
// Jan 27, 2009 at 9:47 am
I LOVE THIS SITE AND NOW DOING A PROJECT ON BRITTLE BONE DISEASE AND U JAKE!
15
Kelsey
// May 21, 2009 at 11:57 pm
if they don’t give this little boy a home makeover they are a hoax show and heartless people. OI is a horrible condition and probably one of the hardest to live with.
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