I always say, “Everyone needs a Sabrina in their lives”. I am going to make a difference in one child at a time. Each person is put on this earth to make a difference, but sometimes we need something or someone that moves us to action. Sabrina’s journey with her daughter, Mikayla, took her from a young, struggling mother to a strong, confident advocate and story of hope for the special needs commu
nity. With every defeat, she found God on the other side with a bigger plan. Sabrina Wisher is the founder of Mikayla’s Miracles and Blessings Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves special needs children and adults by providing resources to improve their quality of life. Each year, her foundation raises money to purchase safety beds for special needs individuals, provides Christmas to over 500 children in the flathead valley elementary schools, and a vehicle for a family in need. Sabrina never imagined the path her life would take. Mikayla was diagnosed with Aicardi Syndrome at 2 ½ months, and Sabrina was told her daughter was never expected to walk, talk, have a day without seizures, or live past the age of one. Her first thoughts were “What have I done to deserve this?” or “Is God mad at me?” Then, one day, she decided, “NO! This is not going to happen!” and her perspective of “NOGVNUP” was born. When Mikayla was two years old, Sabrina became a single mom, working a full-time job, and taking Mikayla to a myriad of appointments. Sabrina was Mikayla’s voice, her advocate. She was not giving up and she was not going to take no for an answer. The State of Montana refused to help Sabrina with a bed for her daughter. After being denied four times at court against the state of Montana, Sabrina then went out on her own and raised enough funds for the bed. The company was so moved by her efforts they donated a bed to Sabrina & Mikayla. That is when Sabrina took the 26k raised & paid it forward to make a difference for others in need. The foundation was started in honor of her daughter Mikayla. My mission is to make a difference in one child at a time! The foundation helps families in need. Families who have handicapped children who need things that Medicaid or health insurance will not buy. I believe in the quality of life for children/adults. My foundation also helps children at Christmas. I started five years ago by adopting three families & this year we had 51 families we adopted. We made a difference in ten local schools. I have the counselors get the kids to write out “wish lists” for Christmas. I filled each list for each child so they would have presents under the tree on Christmas morning. When I deliver the presents the gifts are unwrapped, in a plastic bag with the child's name on a tag. This way the parents can say the presents are from whomever. I do all the shopping & organizing in my home. The foundation also provides snacks for a local elementary school every month. I have provided warm coats, snow pants, gloves & hats for the elementary schools in the valley. I purchase beds, wheelchairs, bikes, food, clothing, medical supplies, help with medical bills, and I also supply vehicles for the families in need. Being a parent of a special needs child, Christmas can be hard when looking for toys. I also provide "adaptive toys' for kids. Medical equipment is crazy expensive and most families are unable to afford the things that give them the quality of life. The foundation adopts 100 high school kids that are homeless and enrolled in school. We provide them with a backpack full of personal hygiene items, gloves, hats, water bottle, haircuts, gift cards to grocery stores, restaurant gift cards, blankets, socks. This year we added home baked goodies along with a bible in each backpack. The foundation provided Thanksgiving & Christmas meals for 60 families this year. If I can plant a seed in one child then I know I have made a difference. All monies raised for the foundation goes right back into the foundation & stays in the Flathead Valley. There are no wages paid out to anyone in the foundation. I have walked in some of these kiddos shoes. I continually tell people, “Everyone needs a Sabrina in their lives”. I am going to make a difference in one child at a time.
"I thought I had to teach my daughter about the world. As it turns out, I have to teach the world about my daughter."
