The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation, a non-profit organization that grants wishes for siblings of children with severe, multiple, life threatening conditions. The focus of a family with a child having very complicated needs is often out of necessity, on the child with those challenges. As a result, the balance and familial interaction can be delicate. Many of these children have complex feelings of extreme love and guilt. Understandably they desire the full attention of their parents, but they appreciate the extraordinary needs of their brother or sister. The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation is a wish organization that focuses exclusively on the “well” sibling. The foundation enriches the lives of siblings by granting their wishes and special requests.

The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation was founded in 2002 by Joe, Storme’ and Ariel Sweet in memory of Aliah Sweet. Aliah was an infectiously happy child with severe, multiple life threatening disabilities. Aliah was wheelchair bound and he required a respirator. Ariel and Aliah were best friends with a powerful bond. The pure and innocent joy of their relationship was punctuated by Ariel’s constant concern for her younger brother’s well being. Ariel always put Aliah’s needs first. Aliah passed away at age nine in 2001.

The relationship between the two is representative of countless siblings with similar circumstances. During Aliah’s lifetime the Sweets had the unique opportunity to interact with numerous siblings in intensive care waiting rooms, in crowded clinic during the holiday seasons and too often at memorial services. The Sweets noted that siblings frequently miss out on “normal family” and school activities. There are many organizations that support children with disabilities however; very few specifically address sibling needs.

The primary goal of the Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation is simply to listen to a child and show them that they are special. Everyone has some childhood memory of a great day or a special present.

Most parents are aware that siblings need to feel special, but often do not have the financial or emotional resources to change the situation for their children. The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation understands that granting a sibling wish has a profound impact on the entire family.

The secondary goal is to create an awareness and sensitivity to complex sibling issues. Through its wish program, The Aliah Sweet Fragile Hearts Foundation is committed to providing special memories for siblings of children with severe, multiple, life threatening conditions between the ages of 6-18 years old.

Website: www.fragilehearts.org Email: fragileheartsfoundation@yahoo.com
Ph: 909 868-9677