My PAWPRINT Article on Anna

Anna Hansen looks just like your average 16 year old. She loves to play lacrosse, watch movies, read, and hang out with friends. To anyone who saw her wandering the halls, they would think nothing was troubling her, almost like a hero using a secret identity to fit in with the world. That is what Anna is, a hero in disguise.

What makes Anna this way, is that her sister is Kennedy, also known as “Fremont’s Angel”. Kennedy was diagnosed with Terminal Battens Disease on June 5, 2013, this means that Kennedy's life is slowly coming to an end as the disease becomes worse. Anna is 6 months older than Kennedy, making the sisters best friends. As Kennedy’s disease has gotten worse, it has affected Anna’s life.

“When I found out about her diagnosis, I looked at it like a movie, there are gonna be scenes that are gonna need to be changed or cut, but the character is still gonna die at the end” said

Anna. Kennedy’s disease wasn’t a problem until around when both the girls were in 4th grade, and they noticed a decline in her eyesight. Kennedy began resource in 5th grade, and also started practicing with a cane and braille. In Jr High she had trouble with stairs. And 9th grade is when things began to go downhill, where walking and talking got hard for her.

Anna, through all of this, has kept very positive, finding happiness with every chance she’s given. Simple things like her school and schedule underwent changes to fit to Kennedy’s needs. But as harsh and tragic Kennedy’s disease is becoming, it is also bringing blessings to Anna’s life. “Some of my prayers were answered after the diagnosis, Kennedy also made my social life stronger, she taught me to get out there and not be so shy” stated Anna. Heroes don’t need special powers or costumes, Anna has proved this, she is the hero behind the wheels that changes lives while she pushes her little sister in her wheelchair.

 

Pull Quote:By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own. --Dieter F. Uchtdorf

A heroic quality that Anna has is that she has been by Kennedy’s side through it all. She helped Kennedy get through school. Anna was there for Kennedy when she needed it, and that is what sisters are there for. If Kennedy is “Fremont’s Angel” than Anna for sure is Kennedy’s “Guardian Angel.” Terminal Battens Disease is Kennedy's villain, and Anna is the hero helping her sister fight her everyday battles.

People all over the world are finding joy in Kennedy’s story, finding peace and comfort, and answers to their prayers. There is a facebook page called “Kennedy’s HUGS” free for anyone who wants updates or inspiration on Kennedy’s story. - Heather Hansen

Life Lessons (:

I am going to tell you about my run today, it taught me a big life lesson that I will never forget. So my journey began as soon as I shut the door, I was so angry. I kept muttering “I can’t believe him,” or “little brat.” I was so angry my teeth got clenched so tight that I thought my jaw was going to break off ( I actually ran my fastest mile at this time). Anyways , I ran to the cemetery, and when I run to the cemetery, I always run around it. And as I was running around it, I saw Ryan’s grave. I don’t know what was going on with me, but something told me that I should go up and look at it, don’t ask me why, it just happened. I stood in front of his grave for a few minutes, just staring at it. You know I am kind of weird in that sense, I just decide to stop in the middle of an important run to read a grave. I started to read it, and as I read it, I started to cry. It wasn’t that usual type of cry because at the moment I was still trying to catch my breath, it was more of crying and still trying to breath. That moment became the turning point of my whole run. I sat there, and I didn’t think about Kaden, I didn’t think about running, the first thing that came to mind was Ethan. I read the back of Ryan’s grave, and on the back it says something along the lines of “Family is Forever.” That’s when the uncontrollable amount of tears began to stream their way out. His grave made me realize what I have to be thankful for. That in the end, we are a family, and we are going to stay that way the rest of our lives. That I shouldn’t be mad that my brother wants shoes just like mine, but I should be grateful that I still HAVE a brother that wants to be like me. I should be grateful that my brother is here, that I have a brother that I have such a good relationship with. I have a brother who loves Kaden more than I do, I have a brother that likes to run just like me. I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry, I have been really moody this past couple days and that’s probably why I have these really freaky breakdowns. I make mistakes, I make them all the time, growing up is not easy, and I am still trying to figure out how I am going to do it. Bear with me, I am trying!! Promise! No matter what stupid things I say or do,I will love you no matter what, and you’ll always be the best little brother out there. Love your Sis, Jerra

May angels lead you in....

Kennedy Hansen, one of my best friends, lost her battle to Terminal Juvenile Battens Disease a week ago from today. I always knew that this day was coming soon, but I thought she would have a little longer, her death came so quick and it made me realize how fast life can be taken from you. She taught me things that I will never forget.I believe that there are angels sent here from heaven to better our lives. I also believe that Ken was one of them. Kennedy expressed her love to people by hugging them. When I say hug, I don't mean a little 5 second hug, that's not a true Kennedy hug. When Kennedy hugs you she wraps her long arms around your body and  will just pull you in, she may not even let you go. I believe that Kennedy was sent here to teach some lessons to not just me, but other people too. Ken lived a normal life all up until 5th grade, which is when her sight declined, which was no big problem to her parents. But from then on, she slowly started to decline with her health. Her speech was slurred and she became blind. Her parents spent a lot of time at hospitals trying to find out what was wrong, and on June 5, 2013, she was diagnosed with Terminal Battens Disease. Her body was slowly declining, to the point where she wasn't going to make it. I became friends with Kennedy in 7th grade, she sat right next to me in my choir class. When I first met her, I didn't know that she was blind, I think I just looked past it because of the amazing girl she was. She would always comment on what I was wearing, most of the time it was my pants. She would tell me how cute I looked, and there were times where it made my day. And she began to do it every day. There was always that thought in the back of my mind that something was wrong with her, but I didn't quite know what, and I didn't care. About towards the end of my 7th grade year one of my friends informed me that she was blind. All the times she was commenting on my outfits, she couldn't even see them, but she still did her best to bring a smile to my face. As Kennedy's disease progressed, she became more and more selfless. Never, ever did I hear her complain, instead she reached out to others. She lived the rest of her life with thee biggest smile on her face. She could light up a room. I felt like her medicine was helping others, making them feel better. I will never forget her, and the impact she left on me. I love you Ken, save a spot for me up there.