Celebrating Our Mountain Shadows Mothers |
Your Donation Will be DOUBLED Today! You can Make TWICE the Impact
In the Lives of Residents Like Mickey |
Thanks to a Generous Donation from the
Gaspare Family Trust |
In Honor of our Mountain Shadows Mothers
Your DONATION will be DOUBLED up to $8,500! |
Honoring Our Mountain Shadows Mothers
Peggy Lawlor: The Search for the Magic Bullet (Mother of Resident Mickey and Legacy Gift Donor) |
The Lawlor family: (left to right) Mathew (Mat, Mickey’s brother), Canine Companion, Renny,
Peggy, and Mickey. |
by Sheryl Wilde
The magic bullet. It just wasn’t there. Peggy Lawlor had been searching desperately to find it since the tragic accident, which left her son, Mickey, severely disabled.
Peggy had been feeding her newborn son, Mat, while her sister, who had come to help out in the weeks following the birth, was packing her luggage to return home. And it was at that moment that life changed forever.
It was a hot day in Poway, and Mickey, a precocious 27-month old boy, decided to go swimming. No one knows exactly what happened after that, but Peggy was the one who found him. She dragged him out of the pool, unconscious.
Children that experience near-drowning typically suffer an anoxic event, depriving the brain of oxygen. Because he was so young at the time, Mickey was left developmentally disabled at the age of two.
Haunted by guilt and watching her once bright and lively son live a “life that could have been so much more,” Peggy desperately searched for anything that might help her son. But, after many years, she came to a place of acceptance. “The magic bullet; it just wasn’t there,” she says. |
Mickey at the beach in Oshkosh. |
“Mickey taught me the meaning of unconditional love,” says Peggy. “After the accident, he was never the same little boy again. As little boys can be, he was very active and into everything. By the time he was 8 years old, I knew I could not keep him safe at home any longer. “My house was maximum security. I had barred, plexiglass windows. I had a parachute harness, and he still broke free from me, twice, when I was getting him out of the car. He ran out into the street, and both times, we almost got hit by a car. That was when I realized I couldn’t keep him safe anymore.”
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“The day a parent has to place their child is the hardest of all things one will ever have to do,” continues Peggy. “But, I realized I had to do it. Giving one’s precious child to someone to care for them, all the while knowing you are the best person to do that job, but no longer can for whatever reason, is devastating.
“By the time Mickey was 18, he’d been in three different facilities. Some very bad things happened to him in those facilities.
“Mickey had several back surgeries. While he was in the third facility, he had just had a total rodding and fusion of his spine. His first night back in the facility, he was allowed to fall out of bed, loosening the hardware in his back. Within the year, he had to have the surgery repeated.” |
The search for a new home for Mickey began, and, Cathy, Peggy’s twin sister recalls, “I was working in school nursing at the time, and I told Peggy I had a student, her name was Brittany Barnson, and she was disabled. I met her parents, and they were just lovely, lovely people. They told me about Mountain Shadows and said they just loved it. I told Peg about it and she went to visit the facility right away.”
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(from left to right) Mickey, Peggy, and Renny. |
“When Mickey was admitted to Ash house, I’ll never forget that very first day,” recalls Peggy. “As I drove away, a great weight seemed to be lifted. I knew right at that moment he had found his forever home.
“From that day forward, Mickey has prospered. He’s happy. He’s well taken care of.” |
(left to right) Mickey, Mat, his new wife, Cammy, Dog Ben, and Peggy. |
“Mountain Shadows has been such a blessing for Peggy and Mickey,” says Cathy. “It’s been just a godsend.”
Adds Peggy, “When Mickey was admitted to Ash, Monica Pena, RC, was in charge of the house. I was shocked by her professionalism, and her can-do attitude about taking care of my very difficult boy, who is nonverbal and can’t express his needs.” |
(left to right) Mickey’s brother, Mat, Peggy, Mat’s wife, Cammy, and their sons, Matson and Julian. |
Says Monica, “I’ve been at Mountain Shadows for 14 years and I’ve worked with Mickey that whole time. He’s the sweetest guy ever. Like many of our residents, he can’t talk, so I have learned to really listen to them to be able to meet their needs.
“I’ve learned that Mickey makes different vocalizations. One sound he makes means he’s in pain, another sound he makes means he’s agitated. I feel that by really paying attention to the sounds he makes, or to his gestures, I can understand him better, and give him what he needs. “Mickey lights up when Mama Peggy is here. He’s very loved by his whole family, and by everyone here at Mountain Shadows.
“They say we shouldn’t get attached to the residents, but that’s hard. Mountain Shadows is my second home. It’s a big family. I’ve grown to care about and love the residents.
“I’d like to thank Peggy for giving me the opportunity to work with Mickey, for trusting me, and all of the staff to care for her son. We will always support him. He will always be okay here.” |
(left to right) Peggy, Dog Zane, Mickey, Dog Charlie, and Mat. |
“Mickey moved to Mountain Shadows when he was 25 years old and has been there for 19 years now,” says Peggy. “Over the years, I’ve observed the quality of the staff, the vetting, the training, and the temperament of the people Mountain Shadows hires. They are very, very caring. “I’m a retired RN, so I have a background in caring for people.
“The staff has a very challenging job. It breaks my heart that our society does not value, and reward more, the caregivers that day in and day out care for our disabled loved ones. I see, every day, that Mountain Shadows does their very, very best.” |
“That’s why I’m remembering Ash house in my will,” continues Peggy. “I’m so grateful to Mountain Shadows. “Mickey always cried when I brought him back to the other facilities after our visits. It was devastating. He would be headbanging, and screaming, and there were times when they would have to drag him away from me. Now, at Mountain Shadows, he is happy to come home! He looks forward to seeing ‘the guys’ in the house, and the caregivers.
“The staff is a loving group of people. And they’ve got their hands full! I’m so thankful to them. I respect them for their dedication to caring for our children. “I wanted to take care of Mickey forever, but I realized my limitations. I realized that I’m just human. To anyone looking for a loving home for their disabled family member, Mountain Shadows should be your number one choice. “I’m grateful I’m in the position to in some way improve the lives of the Ash house residents and staff by making this Legacy Gift. It’s a wonderful feeling to make this kind of difference in the lives of those dependent on other people’s kindness. “It does the heart good to know you’re making a big difference, and that your gift is going to a wonderful cause, to people who will not abuse your trust in them.” |
“My biggest concern is that Mickey will outlive me,” adds Peggy. “I worry about what will happen to him when I am not here.
“My hope for Mickey is, number one, that he will stay at Mountain Shadows for the rest of his life.
“I want Mickey to stay at Mountain Shadows, to be happy, and to die a good death, at peace, surrounded by those he loves, and that love him.
“That’s what I want for Mickey. And I hope that this Legacy Gift will help that happen.” |
The Magic Bullet … it does exist.
While Mickey’s disability may remain, at Mountain Shadows, we still believe in magic.
Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers,
the music of the wind and the silence of the stars,* and a magical place where angels dwell,
a place called Mountain Shadows.
It is at this place, which we call Mountain Shadows, that a magic bullet of a different kind was found for Mickey and his family. And thanks to a generous legacy gift by Mickey’s mother, Peggy Lawlor, the magic may perhaps live on forever.
*Modified quote by Nora Roberts |
Help Us Remain the Magic Bullet for Mickey! Thanks to a Generous Donation from the Gaspare Family Trust |
In Honor of our Mountain Shadows Mothers
Your DONATION will be DOUBLED up to $8,500! |
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Are You Interested in Establishing a Living Trust? Kristi would love to help you. |
Kristi Day Living Trust Advisor Mountain Shadows Foundation Board Member
With many years of experience helping families protect their assets and plan for the future, Kristi specializes in guiding clients through the creation and management of living trusts and comprehensive estate plans. Her approach is personal, patient, and focused on clarity—ensuring every client feels confident and informed throughout the process.
Kristi is passionate about helping people align their estate plans with what matters most: providing for loved ones, minimizing taxes and unnecessary costs, and creating a meaningful legacy through thoughtful charitable giving.
Kristi has expertise in special needs trusts and can help families of special needs individuals with tools that will safeguard their government benefits, while providing for their future care and quality of life.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore estate planning or ready to update an existing plan, Kristi works closely with you to design a strategy that reflects your values, protects your family, and gives you peace of mind.
If you’re thinking about legacy giving or have questions about any part of your estate plan, Kristi would be happy to talk with you. Feel free to reach out anytime—she’s here to help you create a plan that feels right for you and your family.
Kristi Day 858-519-2297
Kristi@livingtrustadvisor.com
Says Mandy Huiras, MSF Director of Development, “Planned giving is not just about leaving a legacy; it’s about creating a future. By contributing to the MSF Legacy Society, you ensure a secure and brighter future for the individuals with intellectual disabilities we serve. Your gift will continue to make a difference long after you’re gone, inspiring generations to come. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the Mountain Shadows Legacy Society.
Mandy Huiras
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org
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The Mountain Shadows Foundation – Because We CARE |
Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, the Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives.
It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: -
Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: mhuiras@mtnshadows.org, or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family!
To learn more about Mountain Shadows volunteer opportunities, please click below:
Learn about Mountain Shadows Volunteer Opportunities Here |
Mandy Huiras
Mountain Shadows Foundation Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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