Page 14 - Lifestyles in Palm Bach Gardens - December '22

Page 14, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Jupiter Law Center Swept The Clouds Away

With Its 17th Annual Fundraiser

Benefiting The Aicardi Syndrome Foundation!

Jupiter Law Center
was thrilled to return to its
in-person fundraising event
after a two-year COVID
driven hiatus.
And it was the sunny day
everyone hoped for! With the
support of hundreds of the
firm’s friends and family over
the years, Adam and Lissa
Gumson of Jupiter Law Center
have raised over $535,000
in donations to the Aicardi
Syndrome Foundation, a
100 percent volunteer run Ava at 18 continues to attend The Learning Academy on
nonprofit organization. the campus of the Els Center of Excellence and although she
The signature event is an Annual Halloween Aicardi is nonverbal, severely delayed and has multiple daily seizures,
Costume Party. This past October saw attendees dressing like she is a happy, joyful girl who loves Elmo and the rest of the
their favorite cartoon characters. The muse for this annual Sesame Street gang. Her delight and wonder at seeing so many
affair – Lissa and Adam’s daughter Ava – turned 18 this year. of her favorite characters come to life as she welcomed guests
And while she may “officially” be an adult, she still confirmed this year’s theme was probably the best ever.
experiences the incredible joy and wonder of cartoons
(especially Sesame Street), primary colors, and happy songs.
So, dressing up as Elmo, Miss Piggy, the Flintstones and other and the University
classic characters just made sense. 150-plus attendees were of California at San
treated to a full-sized Sesame Street front stoop, sign and Francisco, underwrites
characters, colorful balloons, kids’ games, and the sleight- the cost of wheelchairs
of-hand and mindreading exploits of Larry Greenberg of and equipment that
Greenberg Productions. The evening even included a dance- otherwise may not be
off between the multiple Oscars, Cookie Monsters and Fred obtainable, and aids
Flintstones who attended. It’s amazing what a costume can do families in attending
to bring out the some heretofore well-hidden dancing talent! the bi-annual family
Flint Technologies donated a laptop computer as it has conference where
for many years, and golf-related raffle items provided by attendees impacted
Tequesta Country Club ensured that spirits were high and by Aicardi Syndrome
contributions kept coming as everyone tried their luck in the from all over the world
evening’s games of chance. gather to exchange
$40,000 was raised for the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation information. This, in turn, enhances each family’s ability
at the party and more donations will continue to arrive to care for its own Aicardi child. Since only 4,000 girls
through the balance of the year. The event is a passion worldwide are afflicted with the syndrome, there is very
project for Adam and Lissa Gumson, whose oldest daughter, What started as a small party with friends and family held little money for research and the foundation is made up
Ava Shaye Gumson, was diagnosed as a baby with Aicardi at the Gumsons’ home in the early years has blossomed into a entirely of volunteers (mostly the affected families and
Syndrome, a rare congenital neurological seizure disorder major annual event now held at the Tequesta Country Club. In their extended family and friends).
which inhibits the normal development of motor skills, sight its fifth year of hosting the festivities, Tequesta Country Club To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome or Ava Shaye
and speech, causing mild to profound developmental delays. did another bang-up job with delicious and abundant food Gumson or the other Aicardi girls, log on to www.
When she was diagnosed, the Gumsons were informed and drinks, the donation of raffle prizes and the decorations aicardisyndromefoundation.org and/or www.ouraicardilife.
that Ava’s life expectancy was no more than two years. that brightened the room and reinforced the exuberant mood. org or contact Jupiter Law Center at (561) 744-4600 if you
The $530,000-plus raised since 2006 thus far helps the have any other questions about Aicardi Syndrome or about
foundation to fund research grants at both Baylor University how you can help support the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation.

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