[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”11811″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_text_separator title=”Ammon Allred”][vc_column_text]Every year, Rowley’s Red Barn selects a family need of support to sponsor at our Cherry Pit Spit. The $1 entry fee, as well as ice cream sales from the event is always donated to the selected family. This year The Barn is happy to introduce Ammon Allred as the recipient. You can read his story, as written by his mother, below. Come support Ammon by seeing how far your pit flies! Spitting starts this Saturday, August 1, at 10 am with the finals being held from 2-3 pm. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1438378745522{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;border-left-color: #000000 !important;border-right-color: #000000 !important;border-top-color: #000000 !important;border-bottom-color: #000000 !important;}”][vc_column_text]”Ammon is no ordinary boy he was born with a rare condition called Holoprosencephaly usually referred to by its acronym HPE. We in the HPE community call those with this neural tube birth defect HoPE kids.
He has been through many things over time and is quite the trooper in May he had a problem with a medical device he has which caused him to land in the hospital at Primary Children’s for a week. While there he had surgery to replace the device. Also he was diagnosed with dysphasia which is a problem swallowing so we have to thicken his liquids and watch what kinds of foods he has, because if he has thin fluids go down his throat he has a high risk of aspirating it.
He attends Orchard Hills elementary here in Santaquin. He is very friendly and outgoing. Possessing good verbal skills he is always a fun conversation. He was given an award from his teachers because everyone at the school knows and loves him and he is greeted frequently at almost every place he goes with a big Hi Ammon! And he grins and says Hi back. Even as a baby he was always happiest when surrounded by people
He lives with his Mom Carole Ludwig, and his Brother John, in the north west part of town and he is sometimes seen riding his therapy bike with his Mom and brother.
People sometimes ask how long we expect him to live the truth is that no one knows right now most HoPE kids about 70% percent don’t make it to their first birthday but some make it into their thirties and forties. He is a miracle in many ways and his life has been full of many miracles including the circumstances which brought him to Santaquin following his family losing their previous home to a house fire over four years ago. His life has taught us that we we can trust God with all of our needs and he will and does provide. He has taught us patience to realize that people are not their weaknesses. To be very very slow to judge. And that we can find humor in every situation.”
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