BY WENDY HARRISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
WHarrison@pdc.edu

FRANKLIN—The Paul D. Camp Community College Nursing Student Association raised more than $1,500 during Bowling for Babies at Franklin Bowling Center.

Proceeds will benefit Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia, a project nursing students wanted to undertake after hearing the story of Steve and Kathy Stowe of Hampton. The Stowes are co-founders of the organization.

Their late grandson Jared Nicholas Patton in November 2006 was shaken violently by his biological father when the child was 6 weeks old. Jared was in a pediatric intensive care unit for four months and wasn’t expected to survive.

After the Stowes received custody of Jared, Kathy Stowe centered all of her attention on caring for Jared at home, despite his special medical needs.

“Due to his injury, he had cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cortical visual impairment and pseudomonas,” she said.

Jared also had osteoporosis and scoliosis.

“He began to develop seizures,” Kathy Stowe said. “He was on 20 different medications, and he ate through a feeding tube in his stomach.”

Jared had a trachea tube as well, which had to be suctioned regularly, and was hooked to monitors to keep track of his oxygen levels and heart rate.

“Two years, eight months and one day after we brought him home, he passed sitting in Kathy’s lap,” said Steve Stowe. “He went to sleep watching the Christmas tree, which was one of his favorite things.”

Jared’s story has touched many, and Steve Stowe has worked with state Delegate Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, to strengthen Virginia laws pertaining to Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Event co-chairwomen Ashley Beale and Heather Holloman were very pleased with the turnout, particularly since they planned the fundraiser in four weeks.

“It was really successful,” said Beale. “We were real excited that the Stowes could come and share their story with everyone.”

More than 80 people registered to bowl last Saturday.

“It was more than I could have hoped for,” Holloman said. “We hope to make it an annual event so the nursing students can continue to support Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia.”

Raising awareness and promoting prevention, the goals of Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia, has all been funded by the Stowes.

“We have never done a fundraiser before,” said Kathy. “We pay for everything ourselves. We are not a non-profit.”

The event was sponsored by Bobby’s Muffler & Tire Center, Franklin Bowling Center, Franklin Disposal and Recycling, and J&J Home Repair.

“You see this on TV and think it will never happen to your family,” Kathy Stowe said.

When people comment about how difficult it must have been for her while she cared for Jared at home, she tells them, “I had the easy part. He lived it.”

For more information, visit www.shakenbabyva.com or email the Stowes at Jared@ShakenBabyVA.com.