Today we’d like to introduce you to April Royal.
Hi April, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a first-time mom dealing with the loss of her firstborn, I saw reason for the life of my son and the purpose of my life to serve more of a mission in the community around us. My son Kory was born prematurely due to a tear in my cervix that could not be repaired in time for his birth. My doctors was concerns of damaging the water bag so the only option was bed rest at home. Then, in a week a four months hospital stay until his arrival was the only option.
After Kory was born, I saw so many families struggling. Purchasing meals, needing gas to get to the hospital and back home to care for their other children or return to work was something most had to work out and it was not easy. Families who could not get a parent sleep room at the hospital camped out on the sofas. At mealtime, 2-3 people would be seen sharing one plate of food. It broke my heart, knowing that as they go through so much, there is not any help for them to be have their needs met. This is what I saw as my son fought for the four months of life he was given, passing away during the month he was supposed to be born.
When Kory gained his wings, I wanted to do something to uplift my son’s name and memory and other families. Feeling the need to make this dream my heart created more than a dream, I talked with my father, John Royal who passed away to covid-19 last year. My father was one of the biggest cheerleaders of any passion I had in life and he was the person who donated the needed funding that allowed the foundation to apply for its 501c3 and become established.
I knew nothing about starting and running a business or organization, but my father told me, anything can be done and why can’t it be done by you. Those thoughts and words he gave stick with me to this day. And is the reason why in 2008, a few months after Kory gained his wings, I begin to take baskets of food items to the waiting rooms of Egleston Children’s Hospital where he took his last breaths. Over the summer, the Kory Foundation Inc. was granted its 501c3 approval. I started to feel that I was going in the right direction of service, but something spoke me and said do more. I had written a book for Kory while in a hospital book creation class. I was given the joy of knowing Kory heard his story two days before he closed his beautiful eyes for the last time. Again, I spoke to my father and a good friend Yolonda Williams, about my idea to publish his book and they both agreed it should be done. The book has been used as a tool allowing me to help more families. The books have been given to children at Scottish Rite and Egleston and half of sales were used to purchase items for the families we serve.
Since then, I was blessed to have a second child, a daughter almost eight years later. Going through an early birth two times in your life is not easy. I can say it was one time in my life I was not sure I could get through it. But, God sent me angels that watched over me as He watched over her. Yet again, I found myself on bed rest, this time I would have to leave my city and return home to my parents because my doctor wanted to ensure that someone was there.
I cried so many tears, scared for my child and seeing parents say their goodbye to their little ones. One day, I said it was time to bring the Kory Foundation Inc. to Augusta. Planning events for the families there, with the help of amazing companies such as Wife Saver, Publix, BI-LO, and Boll Weevil, just to name a few, warmed and melted my heart.
This organization has brought to me a new understanding of who I am and how important it is to share your love, your time and your heart with others. I feel if I just change one life than my life is not in vain.
Presently, we are still serving families that live in the area or visit the area due to their child’s illnesses. Also, I have joined a local educator as we prepare to write our first children’s book about illnesses our children are dealing with. As a parent, it is so important that we know what our children feel and what their understanding level is about their sicknesses.
There is so much more I would like to do with the foundation and will continue to work with those in the community to see that they are achieved.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As for being a mother, having two children born early is something I feel only prayer and doing your best to stay healthy and safe is all you can do. It will scare you, but you must not give up. And you have to always tell yourself that little person growing inside of you desires it.
Starting the foundation was hard because you will have thoughts that tell you it can not be done. You have to be strong and let the world know you have a voice. Also, it is not easy to get funding, but you talk to every company you shop from and place you see. Make them know who you are and work hard to give them a reason to support what you are working to do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I believe I was set apart during my creation. None of us can have the same sources of motivation and see the same realization of another. Also, my children and how they have added to my life and my journey sets me apart. My passion for life is creating a place that births peace, unity, support, love and growth that comes from the experience of being a mother. If it were not for me being a mother, my desire to create would not be so strong. Motherhood, therefore, is what makes me most proud.
Any big plans?
My plan is to develop more programs that will cater to the needs of the parents of our hospitalized child in the hospitals we serve and branch out to other areas. Also, to continue writing books to uplift and educate children and families.
Pricing:
- Children’s soft back $10.00
- Children’s hard back $16.00
Contact Info:
- Email: koryfoundationinc@gmail.com
- Website: www.koryfoundation.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kory.foundationinc/
