YBGR Helps Struggling Columbus Family Find Hope

Tools

By Sharon Song

Story Published: Jun 2, 2011 at 6:56 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 3, 2011 at 11:30 AM MDT

BILLINGS - The Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in Billings is expanding its services and reach within the community, helping a Columbus family find hope.

For the Halvorson family, time is a precious thing. The two men in Jennifer's life, her husband, Oly, and her three-year-old son, Brian, suffer from a rare and fatal disease called Familial Adnomatous Polyposis.

Oly says it's heartbreaking to know he passed it on to his son. "My son has it, but he has a chance, I never really did," said Oly, "He'll never have to go through the major surgeries that I did."

"My son doesn't even know he has it, and he still plays like a normal kid," said Jennifer.

The family is also coping with abuse Brian and his two sisters suffered at the hands of an extended family member. The abuse lead the family to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch where they're now receiving in-house therapy.

"The sad part is the children, the children didn't ask for any of this. They're just trying to make the best out of life," said YBGR Director of Pastoral Care Dave Morales.

The ranch is best known for providing help to at-risk youth. However, Morales says their services are much broader, as demonstrated with the Halvorsons.

"They offered a lot. We have since changed our tune. We really enjoy what time we have together instead of making a big deal of what might be," said Jennifer.

The Halvorsons say the help they're receiving from the ranch is invaluable; especially because they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it with all of their mounting health care bills.

Next on its list; YBGR board members are working to get Brian qualified for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 82.0 °F
Thunderstorm
Wind : Southwest at
13.8 mph
Humidity : 16 %
Pressure : 29.75 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.