NEW SHOES FOR ALL!!!

It happens too often. A family is referred to us by another local non-profit, they come in, start to shop and we have shoes for some of the family, but not all. It breaks our hearts every time this happens, so we hope to change that outcome.

We had BIG DREAMS of stocking NEW shoes in every size from kids to adult and it's happening thanks to a generous donation from THE SARAH RYAN FOUNDATION!

Open Access is honored to partner with The Sarah Ryan Foundation to provide NEW shoes for individuals who need them.

How the Sarah Ryan Foundation came to be:

SARAH ANNE RYAN "Words can never convey her transcendent essence, her limitless wonder"

As an infant, she was diagnosed with congenital muscular dystrophy (“CMD”) and later received a more specific diagnosis of dystroglycanopathy-POMT2, a sub-group of CMD. Sarah loved participating in fundraising for various organizations including the MDA. She also participated in a natural life history study at the University of Iowa.

Sarah unexpectantly passed on January 8, 2019 at the age of fifteen. Her heart gave out during the final stages of scoliosis surgery at Lurie Children’s Hospital (Chicago, IL), which Sarah affectionately thought of as her second home.

Sarah was a freshman in high school at Elim Christian School (Palos Heights), where she also attended middle school. Prior to Elim she attended Speed SEJA from age 3 through elementary school.

She lit up the room with her entrances, because clearly the party had arrived. Sarah delighted in greeting others, singing and dancing with reckless abandon, sweet touches of comfort. She had a spirit that transcended her obstacles. To know Sarah was to love her!

Big thanks to the Sarah Ryan Foundation for sharing Sarah's love of shoes with others!

Sarah's Soles

Help us buy New Shoes!

Team Members