During his time on this earth, Dawson touched the lives of many. He was quick to tell people how beautiful they were, and considered everyone a friend. Dawson was an avid animal lover, even proclaiming a month before his death that he wanted to grow up to be a police dog! Dawson's whole world was his younger brother, Tacoma. The two boys shared a bond only understood by brothers. Tacoma didn't spe
ak until months after Dawson's death because the two boys had a language all their own, and Dawson communicated for him. Dawson shared 5 years on this earth; during which time he played T-Ball at the YMCA, attended Sharpsville Church of the Nazarene, attended Head Start at 7th Street Elementary School in Sharpsville and at Sharpsville Learning Center, camped as a member at RV Village in Mercer, and made many friends along the way. On November 20th 2005 Dawson woke from his sleep vomiting. Over the next 24 hours it became apparent that it was more than just a stomach bug. The earliest Dawson's doctor could see him was Wednesday, November 23rd. At this appointment, his doctor diagnosed him with bronchitis. Dawson had been experiencing a multitude of ear and upper respiratory infections for a year leading up to this appointment, so it didn't seem far fetched that he would have gotten bronchitis. Dawson was given antibiotics and cough medicine. 24 hours and three doses of prescription medication after his doctors appointment, Dawson passed away in his sleep. The coroner determined that Dawson died from a build up of cough medication in his system due to the fact that he had a heart condition that should have prevented the administration of the particular cough medicine he was given because it prohibits the disbursement of medication in the liver and kidneys. It was not until the coroner's ruling that our family became aware that Dawson had had a congenital heart disease known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This disease is often associated with athletes, and frequently mentioned when athletes die during sporting events. At the time of Dawson's death, his heart was three times the size it should have been, and the arterial walls were thickened due to the onset of Myocarditis. Had this disease been caught, Dawson would have lived a life filled with hospital stays and surgeries without the promise of a prolonged life. Although our family grieves daily at his loss, we believe that we are blessed to have witnessed Dawson live a full life for only being five years old. In the years following Dawson's death, it became my personal goal to pay tribute to the life of the child who so greatly shaped the person I have become. My tribute to Dawson began with a journey to obtain a degree as a teacher. Dawson's favorite place to be was school. In fact, he was very upset to have been kept home from school due to illness during his last week on this earth. I am now currently a senior at Robert Morris University, and anxiously look forward to graduation and employment. To see the light in another child that Dawson carried while learning something new will make the journey worth the struggle. Finally, the last step of paying tribute to Dawson's memory is to leave his brothers with a true example of humility, charity, kindness, and love; the attributes of Dawson's character that those who knew him remember most. In my efforts to teach these qualities to my sons, I knew I had to be the example first. This has not always been easy because recently I was diagnosed with Devic's Disease, a rare form of MS that is slowly attacking my body. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason is not for us to understand, but simply accept. So, as I endeavor to embody the love for others that my 5 year old had from the day he was born. it is my personal goal to build Dawson's Dream Fund to be the direct reflection of what my 5-year old son taught me before his death: Dawson taught me to love others, even when they are at their worst in life, and to give unconditionally without the expectation of recognition or receipt. With this in mind, I give you Dawson's Dream Fund, an organization founded to spread love, hope, and help to those in need! This page is designed to increase public knowledge and awareness for our organization. Dawson's Dream Fund is a nonprofit organization founded by Kayla Pumphrey in memory of her son, Dawson Robert Kelley. This organization uses fundraising as a means of generating the funds to issue grants to organizations, associations, or companies whose mission is to provide medical or educational needs to children. Fundraising is not limited to any one form of event; however, all events will be monitored to ensure the moral, ethical, and lawful behavior of any party representing Dawson's Dream Fund. This organization does not promote the views or ideas of any particular group or individual. No party working with or representing Dawson's Dream Fund will be eligible for compensation for their time or efforts. Pursuant to bylaws mandated by the Federal Government, this organization may not and will not act as an employer to any party. This organization was founded with the help and support of The Community Foundation of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. To donate to Dawson's Dream Fund call or mail:
Dawson's Dream Fund c/o The Community Foundation of Northwestern PA and Eastern OH
7 West State Street, Suite 301
Sharon, Pa 16146
Telephone: 724-981-5882
OR
Email or call Kayla Pumphrey at the following:
[email protected]
724-977-9212
