Plainfield Magazine September 2022

MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2022

Take a Deep Breath Laura Jay-Ballinger and Her Family Push Forward in the Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis PERSIST AND PREVAIL Sheltering Wings Celebrates 20 Years of Community Assistance MUST-SEE FALL EVENTS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY

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GIVING HEARTS

Local Outreach Ministry Feeds the Homeless

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HIP AND KNEE SURGERY

What to Expect From Your Care Team

PERSIST AND PREVAIL

Sheltering Wings Celebrates 20 Years of Community Assistance

15

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET

26

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

MUST-SEE FALL EVENTS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY

Laura Jay-Ballinger and Her Family Push Forward in the Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis

#SPOTLIGHTINGLOCAL

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

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Marie gifting a quilt to those in need.

GIVING HEARTS LOCAL OUTREACH MINISTRY FEEDS THE HOMELESS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

In November of 2015, Marie Dugan and her husband Scott felt a pull to do something to make the world a better place. They began volunteering at Wheeler Mission.

“Though God put it on our hearts to do something to help, I heard him say, ‘Go to the source,’ ” Dugan says. “The first time we went out, we

asked God to take us where he wanted us to go.”

The couple pulled up to a building and followed a trail that led straight to a homeless camp.

“A great big, burly, bearded man came out and did not seem happy we were there,” Dugan recalls. By the time the couple left the camp, however, the man reached out for a hug.

“It’s hard to explain, but my heart changed in that moment,” Dugan says. “I knew that’s what I was meant to do.”

That’s how Hearts for the Homeless got started. The street outreach ministry became a 501(c)(3) organization in February of 2017. Dugan posted to Facebook and people started donating coats and blankets.

The pair went every week to camps, delivering food, clothing, hugs and hope. Unlike many outreaches, they don’t park and expect the homeless to come to them.

“I wanted to see where they were living and talk to them where they felt comfortable,” says Dugan, who notes that their purpose is to befriend, which they do by sharing food. “It’s the heartbeat of our Saturdays. We want to build relationships.”

These people are often hungry not just for sustenance, but also for interaction.

6 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2022 / TownePost.com

“Certain people will gravitate to specific people on our team,” Dugan says. “It feels good when people’s faces light up when they see you.”

Hearts for the Homeless, Brackin was focused on mission ministries, primarily in Africa.

Scott was diagnosed with melanoma in 2018 and passed away in February of 2019. Dugan took a yearlong hiatus from the outreach to grieve. When she started volunteering again, she found the experience healing. She also met a host of new characters, like a young girl who would stand in the background cursing God, and shouting at Dugan and her crew that she hoped they all went to hell.

“Because of that focus, I was missing the needs right here at home,” she says. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, caused her to re-evaluate her plans. From the first Saturday she joined the ministry, she felt a strong sense of belonging.

“We’re not faith-based but we share the Gospel wherever we go,” Dugan says. “We don’t push it on them, but if they ask, we’ll pray for them.”

One day this foul-mouthed girl found her way into Dugan’s prayer circle. Before long, she was attending church services with Dugan.

Ultimately, she accepted the Lord and was baptized on her birthday.

Others were left dumbfounded by the transformation and asked Dugan what she had said to turn the girl around.

“I didn’t say anything,” Dugan says. “God told me to love her, so I did.”

Ashley Brackin began volunteering with Hearts for the Homeless in February of 2021. The fact that she started just a few days after Valentine’s Day seemed serendipitous, because she instantly found a love for the team and for the friends they serve. Prior to joining

“I knew I had to go again,” she says. “Hearts for the Homeless is so much more than the food being served. It’s the conversations, prayers, love and hope. We have seen some beautiful transformations I just can’t put into words.”

Dugan herself has endured a lot in life. She was abused in her younger years, became addicted to drugs, and couch-surfed at times when she didn’t have a physical address to call home.

“It’s hard for normal people to understand homelessness when they see folks standing on corners, mumbling and begging for money, but they all have stories and every single one of them is heartbreaking,” Dugan says. “The biggest misconception about homeless people is that they are where they want to be. That’s not the case. They’re there because of their past.”

For many, their issues date back to childhood. Dugan shares the story of a man who ran away when he was 6 years old. His parents beat him, his mom died, and he has been on his own ever since.

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Dugan also describes a girl who was baptized on her birthday. She was placed in foster homes where she was raped and abused, so she ran away when she was 9 years old, knowing that if she stayed uncaught until the age of 18, she would never have to go back into the system. So that’s what she did.

“It’s truly about survival,” Dugan says. “They don’t know rules and they don’t know love. This is all they know.”

Because this is all many homeless people know, sometimes they’re hesitant to leave it. For instance, after the girl was baptized, Dugan invited her to stay at her house for a week. After just three days, however, she was ready to go back to the homeless camp.

Brackin wants people to understand that the homeless do not start their lives any differently than anyone else. The only difference is their journey, and much of it can’t be helped. “We could all be in the same position very easily,” she says.

Hearts for the Homeless serves people in Hendricks County and surrounding areas. The nonprofit is 90% supported by the communities in Hendricks County.

“It’s been amazing to witness,” Dugan says. “Our community is awesome.”

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They use SignUpGenius for people to sign up to provide a meal.

Dugan then picks up the meals on Friday nights so they are ready to be distributed on Saturday mornings. In addition to meals, Dugan collects flashlights, batteries and hygiene products.

More than anything, Dugan implores people to just be kind. She mentions a homeless man she knows who is schizophrenic. Because of his erratic behavior, people assume he’s on drugs.

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“It’s worked out every time,” Dugan says. “We’ve never run out of food.”

Dugan says one of the best ways to help someone who is homeless is to carry water, snacks and chapstick in your car to hand out.

Dugan used to put bottles of water in her freezer before bedtime in the summertime, and then pass out frozen waters to people on the interstate on her way to or from work. “People loved it,” she says.

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Dugan and her team of volunteers hand out between 45 and 70 meals per week. Sometimes these meals are bagged lunches. Other times they include a pot of spaghetti or chili. Chick-fil-A often provides them with 20 sandwiches to compensate if they run low on food.

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“I’ve seen people throw things at him and trip him,” Dugan says. “We have no idea what’s in people’s hearts and minds. We don’t know what they’ve experienced, so at least don’t be mean to them.”

As for Brackin, she says she can’t express how thankful she is to be a part of this outreach. It truly has shifted her perspective.

“I’ve found that a beautiful smile has nothing to do with straight teeth, white teeth or no teeth at all,” she says. “Their smiles come from the heart.”

Donations to Hearts for the Homeless may be sent to: P.O. Box 91, Lizton, IN 46149. For more information or to sign up to provide a meal, call 317-869-7281 or visit heartsforthehomelessindy.org.

8 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2022 / TownePost.com

PERSIST AND PREVAIL

SHELTERING WINGS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

One evening in 1999, Sue Hoffeditz was working at a local food pantry when a mother and her two children came in to shop.

“I was initially so enamored with the little ones that I didn’t pay much attention to the mom, but when I did look up at her, I could tell someone had beaten her,” says Hoffeditz, whose initial instinct was to contact the local shelter. Then she learned that there was no local shelter and she was crestfallen. As she continued to ask around about what could be done, it became clear in her heart and soul that she was the one to make something happen.

“One thing leads you to another until God thumps you on the head, and you’re like, ‘I Bayless knew someone who needed a place get it now. This is something you want me to to go but didn’t have one, and that was the get started on,’” Hoffeditz says. impetus for her involvement in Sheltering Wings.

That was the birth of Sheltering Wings, formed in the name and for the sake of Blanford didn’t have much experience in Jesus Christ, to provide emergency housing domestic violence, but he was close to a for survivors escaping domestic abuse. couple of female victims, and that pulled at They build stable and independent lives his heartstrings. through programs offered in a caring and Christ-centered environment. Bob Leonard, “It doesn’t take much involvement [at Raylene Bayless, Dave Blanford and Sheltering Wings] for a person to become others joined Hoffeditz as founding board a fan and realize, ‘This is something I can members. really get behind,’” he says.

“I can’t imagine society where a woman is living in an abusive situation and doesn’t know what her options are, and she doesn’t have any,” Leonard says.

“We wouldn’t be here today without that group of people having a heart for something they didn’t even know was going to become this big,” says Wells, noting that initially they all envisioned building or buying a small house for women in need of refuge, but it grew to be so much more.

“God had a much bigger plan and he put the right people in place for that plan.”

The organization started as an extension of Cornerstone Christian Church as an independent nonprofit, and has garnered a huge amount of support from the entire community including various agencies, Linda Wells, emergency services manager, is individuals and other churches. Though grateful for such people, as it made a dream they have stayed true to their core principles become a reality. and guiding values, the organization and its mission has continued to expand and grow SEPTEMBER 2022

over time. For instance, in February of 2020 Sheltering Wings opened a 12-person unit for male victims of domestic abuse.

The nonprofit helps roughly 250 women, men and children annually through their residential services. In addition, they provide prevention and education all across the county in churches, schools and workplaces, so they touch a lot of people in various ways. Plus, they have a helpline that operates 24/7, fielding thousands of calls each year that serve a whole spectrum of needs. Sheltering Wings, in numerous ways, helps those who suffer domestic abuse get back on their feet.

Cassie Mecklenburg, Sheltering Wings’ executive director, is grateful to not only the founding board members, but also all of the friends and supporters of Sheltering Wings who have educated themselves and others, and/or volunteered their time and talents through the years. In October, the Sheltering Wings team members will

SEPTEMBER 2022

celebrate their 20th anniversary.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. SHELTERING WINGS WILL HOST A VARIETY OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT OCTOBER. VISIT SHELTERINGWINGS.ORG TO LEARN MORE.

“That’s 20 years of safety, 20 years of breaking the cycle of abuse, 20 years of life-skills classes, and 20 years of showing Christ’s love to survivors of domestic violence,” Mecklenburg says. “It’s also 20 years of families who have found safety, love and encouragement from our services.”

Because of this nonprofit, survivors get a

whole new lease on life. One resident shares that she was stuck in a cycle of abuse, going from one abusive boyfriend to the next since she was 17 years old. She then got married and had two kids with an abusive husband. “[Sheltering Wings] offered me a bright new future that I didn’t think existed,” she says. “This place has really helped me with independence and learning to believe in myself.”

• October 3: Understanding Domestic Violence. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sheltering Wings. In this training, participants learn about the causes for domestic violence and how to be a part of the solution.

• October 6: Sixth Annual Men IN Action Breakfast at D-BAT Avon. 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Designed to equip men on the journey to build one another up, hold one another accountable, challenge the status quo and navigate life by being positive role models for youth.

• October 6: Dine Out Against Domestic Violence. When you dine at any Cunningham Restaurant Group restaurant in Hendricks County, a portion of your bill will be donated back to Sheltering Wings.

The Cunningham Restaurant Group locations in Hendricks County include Boulder Creek Dining Company, Charbonos, BRU Burger Bar Brownsburg, BRU Burger Bar Plainfield, and Stone Creek Dining Company Plainfield.

• October 20: Celebrate, Create, Connect. 6 p.m. at Sheltering Wings.

Celebrate survivors of domestic abuse, create a unique piece of artwork, and connect to continue to prevent abuse.

Wear purple to show your support for National Domestic Violence Awareness Day (the color of the domestic violence ribbon).

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Thanks to continual advocacy and support, more than 4,500 men, women and children have left domestic abuse behind for safe, bright futures. As Mecklenburg reflects on all of the names and faces of individuals who have entered their doors through the years, she smiles at the outcomes.

“I celebrate with them the jobs that they have secured, degrees completed, first-time

homeowners, and most importantly the newfound safety and freedom they are experiencing,” she says. “I’m beyond thankful for [the community’s] support over the past 20 years. God has been so faithful. His hand can be seen in everything here at the shelter.”

“Our work is only possible through the support of the community,” says Jenna Harris, communication and annual giving officer with Sheltering Wings. “Monetary donations provide for our clients in an extremely meaningful way, and there’s always a need for donated items and For anyone interested in helping, Sheltering volunteers.”

Wings gladly accepts donations and volunteers.

Marilyn Bradford started volunteering at Sheltering Wings in early 2019.

“Abuse is so much more prevalent than what people think, and I want to be a part of the solution,” Bradford says. “It’s such a rewarding experience and I know I’m making a difference. I encourage everyone to volunteer at least once.”

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Sheltering Wings also offers workshops, trainings and policy help, to educate and equip workplaces, churches, schools and individuals.

“A great way to get involved is to bring us in to do a workshop, or to come to the shelter for a workshop on-site,” Harris says.

“Community support makes it possible for survivors to find safety.”

If your church or workplace would like to receive resource cards, trainings, or help creating a domestic abuse policy, all free of charge, contact Harris. Mailing address: Sheltering Wings, P.O. Box 92, Danville, IN 46122. To call the 24-hour helpline, call 317-745-1496. For more information, call 317-718-5460 or visit shelteringwings.org.

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SEPTEMBER 2022

Must-See Fall Events in

Hendricks County

Story & Photos Provided by Visit Hendricks County

Can you believe it? The fall season has officially arrived, and it is time to look ahead to local events and activities you can enjoy right here in Hendricks County.

We’ve created an online tool exclusive to our website at VisitHendricksCounty.com to help you find your perfect personalized fall itinerary. By answering four simple questions, the system will search for and display your perfect fall adventure.

Narrowing down all the festivals, activities and other fall attractions in Hendricks County can prove to be a daunting task because of the sheer number of fun things to see and do. So, we are here to help both through that quiz and with my summary that follows.

BEASLEY’S ORCHARD & HEARTLAND APPLE FESTIVAL This must-see autumn institution in Danville hosts our county’s largest fall event, the annual Heartland Apple Festival. Always held the first two weekends in October – Oct. 1-2 and 8-9 this year

SEPTEMBER 2022

--Indianapolis Monthly magazine featured this festival as one of “50 Things Every Hoosier Must Do!” Visitors can tour the orchard, take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, pick apples from the U-pick area, enjoy live entertainment, buy fresh produce and other goods in a Civil War-era barn turned rustic market or wind their way through a huge corn maze. Your children will love hay mountain, the apple cannons and Barnyard Bonanza, which features ball throws, a spider web, a huge jumping pillow and more.

But you don’t have to visit Beasley’s during those two weekends to enjoy the fun as the orchard remains open every day during the fall season with many of the above activities available.

6 MORE FALL EVENTS While Beasley’s and the Heartland Apple Festival may be the autumn headliner, it merely scratches the surface of fall events you can enjoy with your family. Six other favorites in October include:

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Harvest Moon Festival (Oct. 1) – This new event hosted by Washington Township Park in Avon kicks off the fall season in style this year with pumpkin carving, wagon rides, a petting zoo,

SEPTEMBER 2022

live music, vendors, food, fireworks and much more.

Hendricks County International Festival (Oct. 1) – In its third year, the International Festival at Talon Stream Park in Plainfield is a free cultural immersion for the entire family. Experience food, dancing and musical performances and interactive booths to learn more about other cultures and parts of the world such as India, Pakistan, Poland, Russia and Japan.

Fall Harvest Festival (Oct. 8) – Another first-time fall event hosted at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park in Avon will feature scarecrows and chili-cooking contest and also include games and other activities for the entire family.

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popular corn maze over to the dogs with a weekend dedicated to our four-legged friends.

Fall Colors Festival (Oct. 22) – Enjoy the best public place to see fall foliage in Hendricks County -- McCloud Nature Park in North Salem. This event boasts lots of fun activities including archery, tree-climbing, exploring their fish-themed prairie maze, throwing an atlatl, hayrides and more.

Doctoberfest (Oct. 22) – This is a must for any fan of the TV show Doctor Who as it features a costume competition, custom action figure contest, games, merchandise and much more at Who North America in Camby. More on this attraction in a moment.

Other Fall Attractions

experience a ride through the scenic woods at Natural Valley Ranch than in the fall. The Brownsburg ranch spans 70 scenic acres, and offers 30, 60 and 90-minute guided trail rides along the banks of White Lick Creek.

I briefly mentioned Who North America in the events above. Did you know that it is the only retail store and museum dedicated to the TV show Doctor Who in North America? If you love the show, venturing to this attraction in Camby should be on your bucket list.

For more information about any of these attractions or events or other things to do in Hendricks County or to take our fall quiz, go online to VisitHendricksCounty.com.

In addition to all the events, a couple of fall attractions in Brownsburg that I highly recommend include Hogan Farms and Natural Valley Ranch.

Hogan Farms has become a popular autumn spot with activities during the month of October that include a huge corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and hayrides. I took my son a few years ago, and he loved it.

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Celebrate, Create, Connect!

Join us on October 20 at Sheltering Wings as our community celebrates survivors of domestic abuse, creates a unique piece of artwork, and connects you to ways to prevent abuse!

Find more ways to get involved by visiting ShelteringWings.org/DVAP Together, we can prevent abuse and end domestic violence.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET

playtime. They need to go out at least two times per day to use the bathroom.

Average food consumption is one-half to three cups per meal.

Writer / Tara Marie Dorsett Photography Provided

The 3-month-old Burmese mountain dog was adorable, but his size stopped adopters from filling out an application. On his fourth day at the shelter, a young woman wanted to meet him. Some basic questions were asked: “What type of housing are you in?” She rented a small, second-floor apartment.

“Do you enjoy being outside?” She preferred to stay indoors.

“Do you have time to train and exercise the dog?” Her job kept her busy, often requiring her to work late.

She was told that a large puppy might not be the best fit for her, but she said the dog was perfect and took him home.

The next morning she returned, sheepishly admitting she may have bitten off more than she could chew.

For many of us, life feels empty without a pet, but we don’t always take time to figure out exactly which one works for

us before we jump into pet ownership.

So how do you choose a furry, feathered or scaled friend that is practical for your home and life? Start by asking yourself a few questions.

Why do you want this type of pet? What draws you to that animal?

Do you have room for your pet’s cage, kennel or aquarium? Do you have space for them to run, jump and explore?

How much money can you spend per month on a pet? Do you have time to train, exercise and play with a pet?

Now do some research on the species you want.

Dogs typically need three or more hours of outdoor, high-energy SEPTEMBER 2022

Cats can comfortably live inside. Average meal size is one-third to one-half cups per day. Toys are easy to find. Cats sleep

several hours per day and can usually be left unattended for long periods of time.

Birds enjoy human company and benefit from out-of-cage time. The amount of food needed for the day varies from bird to bird, but averages from one-half to one pound of food per day. Toys are expensive with few options.

Small animals do well in medium to large enclosures. A bag of food lasts about three to four weeks. Toys need to be replaced often. Some small animals such as rabbits, chinchillas and ferrets require more human interaction, and their diets have special requirements.

Fish need very little care beyond food, places to hide and clean water. A container of food, dry or frozen, can last a month. Ideally they need one gallon of water per inch of body length.

Reptiles vary in size. Their enclosure should be large enough and secure enough to keep them safe. Initial setup can cost up to $1,000. Food cost and type vary with species. A snake may only need to be fed twice per week, while a lizard or frog may need to eat more often.

Now that you have considered the basics of pet ownership, have fun choosing your new family member.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, the Burmese mountain puppy found an amazing home later that afternoon.

SEPTEMBER 2022

HIP AND KNEE SURGERY

What to Expect From Your Care Team Writer / Dr. Michael Gabbard, Orthopedic Surgeon at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

If someone is experiencing pain and limited movement in their hips or knees, joint replacement surgery could be an option for relief. Every year more than one million Americans, including many in Indiana, experience pain relief and the ability to resume activities they enjoy, due to total joint replacement surgery. Surgery can be scary for many, but it is important to know what to expect from your care team every step of the way.

DISCUSS OPTIONS WITH YOUR DOCTOR. You can work with your doctor to review all options for treatment, which might include joint replacement. Joint replacement surgery has now been performed for many years and has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life. With modern technologies, many hip or knee replacements will last 20 years or longer. However, joint replacement is a major surgery, and does have a low level of risk and potential complications. It is important that you are aware of possible risks and complications, discuss them with your surgeon, and work together to minimize the chance of experiencing any.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO PREPARE AHEAD OF SURGERY. Before joint replacement, patients will often need blood tests, X-rays and possible evaluations by their medical doctors to ensure surgery will be safe.

Your doctors will tell you which medications to stop taking right before surgery, rules about eating and drinking before surgery, and any other steps you need to take to prepare. This is a major surgery, and you will likely require some assistance at home until your mobility improves. The doctor and care team will help guide you on steps to take in advance, to make recovery easier.

GET TO KNOW YOUR CARE TEAM. The patient’s health-care team has special training in orthopedics. They will help the patient through the surgery and hospital stay. The surgical team includes an orthopedic surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and registered nurses who oversee managing the care before, during and after surgery.

During the patient’s hospital stay, physical and occupational therapists will provide education and practice mobility to ensure it is safe for the patient to go home. They will teach exercises to regain muscle strength, how to walk safely using assistive devices, and tips on how to complete necessary daily tasks. The rest of the care team consists of case managers, pharmacists, hospitalists and support staff. The entire care team works together to ensure the patient is taken care of during every step of the process.

If you are experiencing severe joint pain, it is important to discuss your unique scenario and options with your physician.

SEPTEMBER 2022

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The Dove Recovery House for Women Celebration Luncheon & Dessert Auction will take place Wednesday, September 21st from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, IN. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available at doverecoveryhouse.org/luncheon. Contact Dove House CEO Wendy Noe (wnoe@doverecoveryhouse.org) to learn more about how you can get involved.

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Take a Deep Breath

Laura Jay-Ballinger and Her Family Push Forward in the Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne

Laura, Ruby & Brenda

hen Laura Jay-Ballinger was a little girl, her parents, Brenda and Jeff Jay, knew that something was wrong with their daughter, but a diagnosis didn’t come until she was 2 years old. As it turned out, Laura had cystic fibrosis (CF), a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.

“We were told that life expectancy for her would be mid to late teens,” Brenda says.

“We were devastated.”

As for Laura, she says she always knew she was different as a result of CF. “It meant that I did breathing treatments that my friends didn’t,” she says. “It meant that when I had sleepovers, my friends’ parents recognized that I needed to swallow 10 pills before a meal. I also knew that there was a community full of generous people who were dedicated to raising money for CF.”

In 1989 the Jay family began participating in the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis in Indianapolis, and as their numbers grew, they started a Great Strides Walk in Plainfield. The community responded, including businesses, schools, Scouts groups, the Kiwanis Club, the Plainfield Optimist Club, church groups and local ball teams.

Laura herself became an advocate. She began giving speeches with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation when she was 5 years old.

“Mom would help me write them and I’d memorize them,” Laura says.

She spoke about how donations would go towards raising money for medications that would help keep her alive, because at the time there was nothing on the market other than enzymes to help her digest her food.

Fundraising has served as a therapeutic outlet for the whole family. In 2000 Brenda joined the Indiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, where 26 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2022 / TownePost.com

she served for 10 years. She continues to serve on several national foundation committees.

With CF, a lung infection can come out of nowhere.

“One day you’re fine, and the next day you can’t breathe and need IV antibiotics,” says Laura, who was frequently admitted to the hospital for lung infections, often spending two weeks there at a time. “I identified as the sick kid.”

Nonetheless, Laura kept living life as normally as possible.

“I went to school, played sports and had friends,” Laura says. “I did the things I wanted to do.”

She also did daily respiratory therapy, which involves pressure on the chest to move mucus through, to prevent infections. For the first 15 years of her life, Laura’s parents manually performed that therapy with their hands, pounding

“We’ve been surrounded by the most caring, dedicated family, friends and community for over 30 years. The work isn’t done, but if anybody can do it, the CF Foundation can.

I really believe that.”

- Brenda Jay -

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on her chest and back to release mucus. Then when she was in high school, a device came out that did that for her, bringing with it an independence that she didn’t previously have. She was able to go away to college, live in a dorm and play on the tennis team at Anderson University.

She also earned a graduate degree in clinical psychology and married her husband, David Ballinger, in 2010. The couple then had to decide whether to start a family.

“I didn’t know any woman with CF who had carried a pregnancy,” Laura says. “It was a risky endeavor, and I’m not a risk taker.”

She was told that the majority of CF moms die before their child turns 10 - a chilling statistic.

Nevertheless, with the support of her doctor,

28 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / SEPTEMBER 2022 / TownePost.com

she took the risk and gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Ruby in 2013. Laura experienced a significant decline in her health after Ruby’s birth. Soon thereafter, three different drugs came onto the market in a row, all designed not just to treat the symptoms of CF, but also to actually correct the defect in the cells that cause CF. “That’s a huge difference,” Laura says. “Instead of trying to keep up and prevent decline, they actually create healthy cells.”

One medication helped to stabilize her health, causing her to get sick less often, but it was not the miracle drug she was hoping for. But the science kept progressing, and in 2018 she felt she hit the lotto when she got a spot in a trial for a new drug called Trikafta. The timing couldn’t

have been better. At the time she was in bad shape.

“Only my husband knew how sick I was,” says Laura, who was working as a psychotherapist at a community mentalhealth center at the time. “It was too scary for me to fully recognize it myself. When I couldn’t recover and had to quit my job, I was really scared. I thought that was the end of my career. I didn’t know what the rest of my life would look like.”

She was one of only 100 people in the world in the trial phase for her specific genetic mutation of CF. “I took Trikafta the first day and that night I was reading ‘Harry Potter’ to my daughter, and I started to not feel well and was coughing a lot,” Laura says. “The next morning, things felt different.”

She started sleeping better and coughing less, while also having more energy.

The mucus in her lungs was coming up.

Though it was a blind study, she knew she wasn’t on the placebo.

“I knew something good was happening,” she says.

When she finally did see the numbers, her overall lung function had increased by a whopping 20%.

Kalydeco was approved in 2012 and helped just 4% of CF patients. Orkambi, approved in 2016, helped CF patients with the most common CF genes. Trikafta was approved in 2019 and is the most effective treatment available for 90% of patients.

“Throughout my life these drugs have been developed just as I needed them,” Laura says. “My health would be declining and I would need something new, and then something new would come to be.

It’s been pretty wild but I’m so grateful.”

The first year after giving birth, Laura was on intravenous antibiotics four times, each time a three-week ordeal. Since she has started Trikafta, however, she’s TownePost.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 / PLAINFIELD MAGAZINE / 29

not been on antibiotics once. She’s also back to work full time, running her own private psychotherapy practice.

“This work is super meaningful to me,” Laura says. “I’m beyond thankful and thrilled that this miracle came for me when I needed it to.”

Her primary concern has always been Ruby. “Now I don’t worry about making it to her 10th birthday like I used to,” says Laura, who is now 37.

To date, their family’s team, the JAYWALKERS, has raised just over $1 million, a bittersweet accomplishment as Jeff passed away in 2014 from a brain tumor. Still, they are proud and thankful, and know he would be too.

community for over 30 years,” Brenda says.

“The work isn’t done, but if anybody can do it, the CF Foundation can. I really believe that.”

The Indiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is located at 8445 Keystone Crossing, Suite 135 in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-202-9210 or visit cff.org.

“We’ve been surrounded by the most caring, dedicated family, friends and

The fundraising, however, continues.

“There is still 10% of the CF population out there who are waiting and hopeful,” says Brenda, noting that in the first year of Great Strides fundraising, she and her sister-in-law Jill Jay raised $700.

“We were so proud,” Brenda says. “But what has transpired is beyond anything we ever dreamed of.”

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a highly skilled orthopedics team of pre-surgery coordinators orthopedic surgeons nurses post-surgery coordinators physical therapists and rehab specialists WORKING TOGETHER TO GET YOU BACK TO FEELING YOUR BEST.

Hip & Knee Pain Seminar Thursday, Sept. 8 | 6 – 7 pm IU Health West Hospital Professional Office Building | Terrace classroom 1111 N. Ronald Reagan Parkway in Avon | Light meal served.

Free to attend but reservations required.

Register at iuhealth.org/joints or scan the code.

Michael Gabbard, MD

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