samantha
It takes a certain amount of courage and backbone to show up to the unknown.
After you do you’ll be forever changed. Pearl and George showed up for Samantha and
were forever changed.
Samantha Davidson is twice blessed. She has a loving grandmother who has also
been her devoted parent since she was 5 months old.
Pearl and George of Milford, DE assumed custody of their granddaughter Samantha
shortly after her diagnosis of SWS in 1966. Pearl and George raised and cared for their
granddaughter, on their own, until 1988 when they learned about the Sturge-Weber
Foundation. Samantha was 22.
In 1990 they traveled to Pittsburgh for their first International Conference. Here,
they met Kathy Keffer Capozzoli who helped them as they began learning all they
could about Sturge-Weber. They’ve become life-long friends and have attended many
regional events together.
Like so many children with SWS Samantha has faced many medical and educational
challenges: the doctors appointments; the endless medical forms to complete; the
research studies to review; the special education programs that helped her through high
school. Pearl has continued to accept them, as a single parent, since George’s death in
“Sometimes it takes another’s strength
to help you walk along and to lift the fear
away…You know I’m gonna see you
through. This I know We Weren’t Meant
To Go Alone”
excerpted from our 2013 Conference
theme song by Steph Shaw.
the mid-1990s.
Samantha is an avid letter writer, often sending the SWF office friendly floral notes
and seasonal cards. Her handwritten advocacy letters to her local and national politicians
are always personal and heartfelt. She recently wrote to Senator Thomas Carper to
support continued funding for rare disease research. Together, Samantha and Pearl
embody the partnership that The Sturge-Weber Foundation has with the people who call
on us.
“Sometimes it takes another’s strength to help you walk along and to lift the fear
away…You know I’m gonna see you through. This I know We Weren’t Meant To Go
Alone”, excerpted from our 2013 Conference theme song by Steph Shaw.
P.S. Earlier this month Samantha celebrated her 47th birthday. And, she and Pearl
attended the 2013 International Conference in Denver, flying for the first time!
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The Sturge-Weber Foundation