Let's Catch Up With Nathan Grenell - SDS Doesn't Stop This Flower Shop Owner

 

It was 2018 when we first met Nathan Grenell.  Nathan has SDS which is the acronym for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.  SDS is a rare congenital disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic deficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities and short stature. When we fist met, Nathan was just 5 and dealing with an awful lot for a little shaver, and his parents were busy too working with Nathan and advocating for others with rare diseases.  Nathan is 11 now, and he's in the business of selling flowers.  We caught up recently. 

While there still is no cure for SDS there's an amazing amount of progress happening on the front of all kinds of once though incurable diseases.  We see and hear daily about the drive to end one form of human disease or another on the news and it's with utter amazement that we hear it.  However, to a family with that rare disease, it's never fast enough.  How can it be?  In a world where we are all living by instant gratification, fixing things "right now" is what we are accustomed to and if it's our child, grandchild or someone close to the family....you can see how that desire is amplified immensely.  Mom and dad Michelle and Justin continue to work on the advocacy and education stuff.  If you'd like to learn more CLICK HERE.  

Nathan on the other hand.  He's busy being 11.  It's about RC cars, school, scraped knees his small home farm with some chickens out back and his siblings.  He's got the right mindset started though.  Some of his proceeds he hopes to get himself a new RC car with, and he does hope to provide some help at a local food bank with what else he sells.  He's been helping at a food bank some and he's been exposed to the idea of making sure that no matter the circumstances faced, it's really important to do something for others.  Nathan was one of the honorees of the annual Guns and Hoses hockey game here in town and there's a very, VERY special bond among the police, fire and families who participate in that.  In fact, in all of the years I have been a part of the game, the return rate of the families who have been part of the benefit to help others has been stronger than I have seen elsewhere.  

His flowers are all grown around the house.  Vases?  Didn't ask, but they are generally found fairly easily.  Arranged wonderfully and priced at a level anyone can afford, $5-$7 bucks, they are a sure way to make hearts go pitter pat for anyone who is lucky enough to receive bouquet.  Nathan is open from "3-8 or 9 or so" on Russel Road.  You can see when he's open on his FACEBOOK PAGE.  You'll be greeted with a smile.  You'll find a fantastic family and Nathan will prove to you that the future ain't all lost.  There are great kids coming up down the road behind us.  Let's help them all succeed.