NICOLE'S STORY: HELPING WITH YOUR HEART AND HANDS

It was truly God led when eight-year old Nicole picked a star off of a giving tree at her school. Little did she know she had chosen Austin, an eight-year old boy who shared the same affliction as Nicole, Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS). At just four weeks old, Nicole began two years of surgery and reconstruction to save and separate her hands and fingers, which allowed her the chance to do all of the same things other boys and girls her age can do.

When Nicole wrapped her present to Austin she decided to include a letter telling Austin that she too had ABS and on the back side she traced her hands. It was Nicole's way of telling Austin that he's not alone,and in her own words, "We've gone through the same thing and it's ok.". It has been two years since this chance encounter. Nicole and Austin have corresponded since then to help one another. Read Nicole's letter below.