YLIE
ALUMNI ADVENTURES
THANK YOU
What an amazing community we have! Our students are able to continue reaching developmental milestones because of the
giving hearts of you, our community. These two events were a HUGE success because of the sponsors, donors, participants, and
supporters in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. Thank you to all that came alongside us to help us continue God’s work!
Lindsay Nozak, Director of Events and Marketing
LAPS FOR LITTLE ONES SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsors
H. A. & Edna L White Foundation
BY LISA KILLINGSWORTH, KYLIE’S MOM
When we told our son he was possibly having a little
sister, he said “Oh I know, it’s a girl and her name is Kylie
Jordan!” He was 3 years old and could not wait to be a big
brother.
After having a normal pregnancy and birth, we brought
our baby girl home. Within the first few days, which
turned into weeks, of constant crying we spoke to our
pediatrician. She said it was probably just colic and every
baby is different… to give it time. However, we weren’t
rookie parents. We knew something wasn’t
right. Kylie would not look at you while
feeding and she cried almost 24
hours a day. We were unaware
of any medical issues until she
began having seizures at the
age of 5 months. We were then
thrust onto the roller coaster we
call life.
The pediatrician immediately
referred us to a local neurologist
and the investigation began. After 6
months of going down several different
paths the decision was made to refer Kylie to Columbia
Presbyterian in NYC for a fresh muscle biopsy and
a lumbar puncture. Kylie was diagnosed with a rare
mitochondrial metabolic disorder causing infantile
spasms, cortical visual impairment, and cerebral palsy. It
felt like a death. Sad, scared and hopeless were some of
our initial emotions; however, somehow the Lord always
steps in just when you don’t think you can take anymore.
We put our faith in the Lord and our lives have never been
the same. She started the Ketogenic diet and her seizures
slowed, then eventually stopped.
At the suggestion of our case manager from Sooner Start,
we called the Little Light House. We took a tour as soon as
possible, put Kylie on the waiting list ,and began praying
it would not take the two years they had estimated.
Ironically, Kylie enrolled one month shy of two years…she
started in the yellow class as a 3-year old, and this was the
5| THE BEACON
beginning of the things she would “start” while there!! She
started sitting up, putting her feet on the ground to stand,
signing “Hi” when greeting people, and dancing to music
during praise and worship. So many “milestones and
miracles” there isn’t time to write about them all; but the
biggest thing we began to have was hope for the future.
Someday Kylie will be able to select her own life verse; but
until then, we have selected 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love always
protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Graduation day came all too quickly! Kylie started
Kindergarten in 2009 at our neighborhood school. We
soon learned how spoiled we were by the Little Light
House. We were finding it difficult to find a school
program that matched their caliber. We made
the decision to move to the Jenks school district
when Kylie was ready for middle school. She
has settled there nicely and continues to work
hard on her goals. She walks with
the assistance of a walker but
would rather hold hands
with a friend and take a
stroll. She uses a few
signs to communicate
and is working with her
teacher and therapist
to use an iPad. She has
friends, one of which
was in her class at the
Little Light House. Like a
typical 9th grader, her favorite
classes are physical education and
music. However, one of her favorite activities every year
still involves the Little Light House. She loves to participate
in Laps for Little Ones. It is always a glorious day when
she is able to reunite with old friends, teachers, therapists
and staff; all while raising funds for the school that has had
such a profound impact on her life. We are all so grateful,
thankful, and blessed to have been a part of the Little Light
House and have full faith Kylie will continue to be the light
of Christ and one of their many ambassadors for life!
Premier Sponsors
A. & Mary K Chapman Charitable Trust
A G Equipment
Major Sponsors
Hercules Tires
Burnett Windows and Siding
Event Sponsors
Certa-Pro Painters
Coca-Cola
Fizzo Water
MINI-LAPS SPONSORS
Miracle Maker
Nantz Cattle Company
Tulsa Gold & Silver
The Mike and Susan Burkhart Foundation, Inc
Harrell Eye Care
Milestone Maker
H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust
Shining Light Sponsors
Mid-Way Transportation
Mariner Foundation
The John and Denise Redmond Charitable Fund
Graduate Sponsors
Fizzo Water
Jenni Burkitt, DDS
Norwex
Burnett Windows and Siding
Phillips 66
Re/Max Tulsa
WPX Energy
Envision Homes
Crossfit Skiatook
Event Sponsors
AVIS Budget Group
Coca-Cola
Fizzo Water