About Us

Hello! We are a busy, loving, family of five living in McFarland, Wisconsin. • Melissa (Mom) is a 2nd grade teacher with Madison Metropolitan Schools. • Andre (Dad) works night shifts at the VA Hospital as a sterile processing technician. • We have three young children: o Wesley (5), our kindergartener o Winston “Winnie” (4), in 4K o Marlee June (21 months), our sweet, loving baby girl A Bit About Marlee: At 13 months old, Marlee was diagnosed with a very rare genetic mutation called Okur-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome (OCNDS). OCNDS is a newly discovered condition (2016) and is still being understood. Common characteristics include: • Developmental, motor, and speech delays • Hypotonia (low muscle tone) • Feeding/growth challenges • Behavioral differences (including sensory sensitivities or traits associated with autism) • Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) – her eyes can see, but her brain struggles to interpret what she sees The good news: Marlee has no history of seizures (which can sometimes accompany OCNDS). She’s also the chillest, most snuggly, joy-filled little girl. She loves her brothers, movement, toys that light up or make sounds, calm energy, music, sensory play, and being outside. We are currently involved in a range of therapies to help her reach her full potential. Some are local, while others require travel to Milwaukee. The research, paperwork, and coordination for all this care is heavy, but we are committed to doing everything we can. Our Family Life: We’re doing our best to balance everyone’s needs. Mom and Dad work opposite shifts to ensure a parent is always home for the kids, but this leaves very little overlap for us to spend time as a couple or even just be “off duty.” Between work, school, therapies, errands, insomnia, and just daily life—we are often stretched very thin. We want to make sure Wesley and Winnie still receive all the love and attention they deserve, even as we prioritize early intervention and therapies for Marlee.

How You Can Help

We are brand new to respite care and are excited (and hopeful) to find someone who can become a trusted, valued part of our family’s care team. We’re looking for a kind, compassionate, reliable respite companion to support Marlee and help our whole family breathe a little easier. Ideally, you are: • Flexible, laidback, and go-with-the-flow • Patient, positive, and calm • Open to collaborating with us on Marlee’s care • Comfortable caring for a child with developmental delays and sensory needs • Willing to learn a bit about light OT/PT/speech/vision/feeding therapy strategies to incorporate into play The Role Might Include: • Playing with, feeding, and snuggling with Marlee • Providing calm stimulation or soothing sensory activities • Helping us give uninterrupted attention to our boys • Helping us get some regular sleep • Staying with Marlee while we run errands or do something special with the boys • Allowing us to get through to-do lists, phone calls, paperwork, and appointments • Providing in-home support (with a parent nearby) or, as trust builds, short stints of independent care Scheduling & Flexibility: We’re very flexible and grateful for whatever time someone can offer. We’re likely looking for respite a few times a week — a mix of daytime and evening — based on your availability and what our week looks like. Why This Matters So Much: Caregiving is meaningful work — we see that and deeply appreciate it. We also know first-hand it can be emotionally and physically demanding. We promise to treat you with the same respect and compassion we ask for our family. Our goal is for this to feel like a great fit on both sides — something that works well and feels rewarding for everyone. If this sounds like something you’d be open to exploring, we’d love to connect! There’s no pressure or commitment upfront — just a chance to talk, ask questions, and see if this might be a good match. Thank you so much for considering walking alongside us in this journey. Your presence could make a huge difference — not just for Marlee, but for our entire family.