"My Festival Story - POTS" by Julie Slack

"Our family has been doing a tree every other year since 2011 in honor of our daughter after she got diagnosed with an illness called Dysautonomia aka POTS.  While many have never heard of the illness, it's not rare.  One in 100 teens will get diagnosed with it each year.  It is rarely diagnosed properly.  There is no cure and it's a debilitating illness which greatly reduces the quality of life.  

All of our trees are in honor of our daughter Aubrey Lee Slack.

Julie Slack and her daughter Aubrey Lee Slack

Our Tree 2011 " Hope For Pete's Sake " in memory of my Dad who died of cancer in 2010 and in honor of Aubrey.

"Hope for Pete's Sake"

In Memory of our Father who passed away

and... of course in honor of our beautiful Aubrey

Our 2013 Tree was named "Christmas at Tiffany's" 

Read an amazing KSL article about Aubrey  HERE.  Enjoy another article from the Salt Lake Tribune about Aubrey and her "Christmas at Tiffany's Tree HERE .

Christmas at Tiffany's

Pictured:  Aubrey Lee Slack

 

Our 2015 Tree "Adopt a cherished  Gift" --We are an adoptive family 

Our 2017  Tree "Our Anchors in Heaven "  In memory of my Dad and my Husband's Dad who both served in the Navy.

Our Anchors in Heaven

Our Aubrey is now married and still struggles somewhat with her health due to POTS and other issues. 



We thank Primary Children's Hospital for all they have done for Aubrey the past 15 years.  Our tradition to decorate and donate a tree to Festival of Trees will continue. "

Julie Slack also has started "Ponchos with a Purpose".  She crochets ponchos (hugs) and gives them to sick children.  She was honored by KUTV 2 and Mountain America Credit Union and given $500 to help support her cause.  Watch the amazing story below!
Pay it Forward: Mom gives free 'hugs' to sick kids through Ponchos with a Purpose