About
Our Goal
The story of the family of Dean and Sherry Adams is the story of fellow Christians in need. Dean and Sherry are the parents of Mindy (23) and Steven (21). Both of these young people were born with a genetic condition called hypogammaglobulinemia, which means in English, they do not have fully functioning immune systems. Combined with other complications the official diagnosis is “combined variable immune deficiency”. In short, infections of any kind can make them very sick and could potentially end their lives. Over the last 23 years this family has carried a great burden of constant medical care and overwhelming expenses. This goal of this page is to provide a way for Christians to hear of their great need and have an opportunity to fulfill with joy the godly desire to do the good works we were created to do.
The Story
Sherry and Dean Adams married in North Dakota in 1982. Their daughter Mindy was born in 1984. Mindy’s infancy was plagued with illness and frequent hospitalizations. Doctors were uncertain about the cause of these problems. The birth of Steven followed in 1986. Steven also begin to suffer repeated illnesses. After many tests both children were diagnosed with a genetic immune problem. The scientific name for their condition was “hypogamaglobulinemia”. Because of additional medial issues, the actual diagnosis was “combined, variable immune deficiency.
To a child with a compromised immune system any infection is very dangerous. The Adams were told not to expect the children to live up to their teenage years. They also made dire predictions of the difficulties for a marriage surviving the stress of chronically ill children.
By the grace of God, Mindy and Steven, as well as their parents marriage have certainly survived. The struggle to deal with the illnesses, huge medical expenses and all the stresses brought on by both, has however been very challenging. For years there were IV gammaglobulin treatments every two weeks. These necessitated the insertion of portacaths in their chests. Implanting these portacaths very nearly resulted in the deaths of both children. An infection proved very dangerous to Steven and a broken cath required a dramatic surgical rescue for Mindy.
Hospital stays, surgeries and transfusions were a constant reality for this family, they continue to deal with frequent bouts of illness and medical procedures.
At one point medical bills exceeded 250,000. At about that time another tragedy deeply affected the family. Because of the loss of Sherry’s mother it was necessary for her then 16 year old sister to come to live in their home. Two very sick children and a grieving teenager is certainly a parenting challenge. The sister, Gina, is now the mother of her own three small children.
Mindy and Steven are now young adults with active, productive lives. Unfortunately a growing resistance to antibiotics creates a new and somewhat challenging twist to their medical conditions.
In spite of each member of the family always working (often to the detriment of the children’s health ) the medical bills and expenses are nearly unbearable. Insurance has never provided enough coverage for the constant bills. Sherry’s job with the Public Health Unit has been the source of family insurance and because of grant funding it is not guaranteed to continue to be available from year to year. Fund-raisers, mortgages and all possible sources of borrowing have been exhausted, leaving this family in need of the help of God’s family.
Christians have done much for the Adams throughout this ordeal and they are very grateful. But the need is still great.
Dean Adams has preached for the small congregation of the Church of Christ in Dickinson N.D. for many years. The church is unable to pay him for this great service. He and Sherry have worked with the hi-school and college age group of the church for thirty years. Tirelessly providing retreats, camp activities, rallies and a great deal of loving support. Mindy, Steven and Ian now help with those activities.
Mindy, who married her childhood Bible camp sweetheart in June of this year, has completed her LPN degree and continues to study in the field of Psychology with the goal of working with chronically ill children. She is attending Dickinson State University.
Steven has been offered a full tuition scholarship to the Pre-law program at Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska. He now works in an Alzheimers unit as a medication dispenser.
Dean and Sherry celebrated 25 years of a loving Christian marriage this year.
Right now Dean and Sherry face outstanding medical bills of $90,000, requiring monthly payments of $2500. Along with normal car, house and college costs, it is impossible for them to meet the need alone.
Sherry quotes Proverbs 3:5-6 as her favorite Bible verse. She also is encouraged by the saying, “Fear not tomorrow, for God is already there.”
It is time for God’s people to be the helping hands that are there. Many have given, but much more is needed.
The Need
This quote from Sherry’s March newsletter gives us a clear picture of what the Adams face each day:
“It has been hard to make each month’s payments, and February’s medical bills have kind of sent us over the top. We are at the point where we can no longer borrow, mortgage, or charge anything else. From 23 years of medical problems, our medical bills have reached over $90,000 and the monthly medical payments are $2500. “
At one time the costs of the care for these two children reached over $250,000 after insurance. With much hard work and the help of several Christians the bills have been paid down to the current amount. However, the hospital stays continue to happen and the bills never stop coming in.
The Burden
Each member of the Adams family works very hard to overcome this financial situation. Mindy and Steven, in spite of their constant illnesses have often worked two jobs. Sherry worked 23 years at a Creamery and when it closed was blessed to find another job at a Public Health Unit. She has always been the insurance carrier for the family. However her current job is grant funded and therefore is not guaranteed to continue from year to year. In addition to his full-time job as a grade school custodial, Dean has done most of the teaching and preaching for the Dickinson church of Christ since it’s beginning in 1981. (Sherry moved to N.D. in 1981 to work with this newly established congregation.) Dean has never been paid for the work of a preacher that he has so faithfully carried on. In spite of all the needs of their own family the Adams have worked tirelessly to provide youth and college age activities for this small church. Many young people have been encouraged in their life of faith through the works of this family.
Answered Prayers
Doctors did not expect Mindy or Steven to survive adolescence. It is a great gift of God that they are both living active lives as young adults.
Both survived life threatening complications when portacaths were inserted to ease the constant use of veins for regular transfusions.
Bi-weekly transfusions are no longer required.
Mindy has completed her LPN degree and is continuing to study Psychology in order to work with children with long term illnesses. She is now married.
Steven has been accepted to a Pre-law program at Creighton University in Omaha.
The Bismarck church of Christ was able to donate $5000 to the Adams early this year to help with January and February bills.
I would like to know how much has already been donated. Are they monthly donations or one-time giving?
thank you for this info and the opportunity to help.
I want to help and with enough help we can lift this burden. I need addresses. How are the children doing and is sherry’s car fixed? In Him, jlm