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SECTION B • PAGE 1
APRIL 6, 2017 ď‚Ť THE ADVOCATE
Georgetown's Rainbow Baby is a Special Kind of Joy
After 40 hours of labor, Hunter was invited to "catch" Evelyn, and was the first to hold her and place her on mom's chest.
Evelyn Madden is quickly becoming
Georgetown's biggest celebrity thanks to a talented photographer and a birth story that has gone global. Evelyn is a Rainbow baby, so named because she was born after her parents had previously suffered a miscarriage. Hunter and Hope Madden were married four years ago and always wanted to have kids but had challenges along the way. Hope's cycles were not predictable enough, and their reproductive endocrinologist began a routine of conservative fertility treatments.
The Maddens slowly pushed through more intensive treatments until Hope became pregnant in March 2016. At their first sonogram, sadly, there was no heartbeat. The couple agree that while many marriages can suffer through so many trials and monthly disappointments, "it brought us closer together," Hunter says. "Every year brings a new understanding of your partner and these events made us cling to each other. My wife was so incredibly brave and we both realize the immense value of being a parent."
They continued their fertility treatments, and visited Blessed Family Chiropractic in Georgetown for mom's wellness and soon conceived Evelyn. They followed through with a great deal of pre-natal monitoring until Evelyn's blessed birth March 11. "We were cautiously optimistic all through the pregnancy," Hope says. "She got stronger all the time and at 18 weeks we 'graduated' from the fertility doctor to get ready to be parents." The Maddens' story was picked up after their photographer, Leilani Rogers, posted some of their birthroom photos on Facebook and a few other social media sites. Since then, it has been picked up by national news websites, news and blogs as far as Australia, and they are, right now, expecting calls from ABC News and The Today Show. "There are so many other stories out there that are more difficult than ours but we love that this might be inspiring for others in our situation. The costs, financial and emotional, are high for couples, and we are happy to share our experiences of fear and excitement if it helps others." Hope has even started a Facebook group to provide a forum for others to vent, ask questions and help each other. "People are
much more open about these issues and we gained so much support during our struggle. As long as we can help bring about more awareness, create bonds between people in similar circumstances, I'll keep doing it." Hope says, "Evelyn is not what we expected. She is so tiny and we are both 6'3"; I was the oldest of eight kids who took care of seven colicky siblings. She is a peaceful little girl and sleeps so well. We are blessed, and lucky!" Hope's Facebook page is Williamson County Infertility Adoption and Miscarriage Support Group Photos used with permission of Austin area birth photographer Leilani Rogers www.photosbylei.com
Are You Ready for Some 9-1-1 Football?
R.O.C.K. and Rotary Raise $Thousands
The Final Four is over.
Ride On Center for Kids held the 17th annual Barn Dance with a Mexican theme. R.O.C.K. Board President (above center) was joined by Williamson County District Judges Rick Kennon and Stacey Mathews and County Court Judge Laura Barker and husband Allan Jones to celebrate VIVA ROCK. At right, Shimmer, one of R.O.C.K.'s favorite therapy horses was the first to greet guests at the themed banquet. The event was, as usual, a sell-out and nearly $500,000 was raised via ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and a paddle raise, for programs and scholarships for special needs children and Veteran programs. On April 1, Rotary of Georgetown held its annual gala, "The Spy Who Lived Rotary" in honor of the legendary James Bond at the Sun City ballroom and many of the attendees dressed in character. At right are Nathan and Amanda Winstead and below, Southwestern University football coach Joe Austin with wife and CASA Director Marissa Austin with daughter Reagan.
What are you going to do until August?? Football, naturally. You probably didn't know it but the Central Texas Wolfpack were undefeated last year and are 2016 Division II National Public Safety Football League champions, and they play right next door in Cedar Park. Across the country, 22 teams comprised of law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS have dedicated their free time, and their knees and shoulders, to raising social awareness, supporting hundreds of charities, and developing cohesion with other agencies through sport. Defensive Lineman and Austin Police Officer Jared Retofsky lives right here in Georgetown. Before he was a member of the Wolfpack he played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was the long snapper during their Superbowl LXIII win. Officer Stephen Johnson lives in Jollyville near Cedar Park and aside from his duties with the Austin Police Department, he is also a Wide Receiver and
Defensive Back for the Pack. Johnson is in his second year with the team. He grew up in California and was pleased to be able to play five years at Kansas State University. "I was on a Big 12 Championship team and I've been through the highest of highs and lowest of lows," he says. "Playing football now is an amazing thing to be able to give back to the community doing something you really love. " Johnson says he wasn't sure he wanted to play when he was first approached. "It was a tough call because it is still football and there is a chance I could get hurt. My career is really important to me and I was concerned about injuries that could prevent me from doing my job. The other players talked to me and when I came out to play I found it was a totally different experience than what I expected. It's not just police but all the first responders in the area and it's become a different kind of family for me." The Wolfpack has an instate rival in the Dallas Defenders and Johnson says
SEE THE WOLFPACK AT THEIR NEXT HOME GAME, MAY 20 AT GUPTON STADIUM IN CEDAR PARK @CTXWOLFPACK the teams enjoy working with working with different counties and agencies. "It's great to network that way and we all enjoy the release football gives us from the stress of the job. You can leave it all on the field." Although it is a national league, players are not in it to perform and make it to some other higher level. "We are all past that. We are here because it's our way of bringing our skills to the table to raise money for other people. We don't get paid, we actually pay to play, and most of us use vacation time for practices or away games." The Wolfpack are spending alot of energy trying to get the word out about the league and the charities. This year the team is supporting the 100 Club of Central Texas and the Police Activities League and has done events for other groups like Texas Husky Rescue and Popup
Birthdays, a local agency that has birthday parties for foster children. Johnson is personally supportive of Special Olympics because it's a joy to see anyone playing a game or demonstrating a skill. "I just love seeing kids getting outside. Plus, we are not famous football players but it's a different kind of respect when we wear the different uniforms. Police and football players are people to look up to but for different reasons. I like that." The Pack invite everyone in Williamson County to come out to support the team in another bid for the championship. "I want kids, and everyone to know, that if you love something, keep looking for a way to do it. We are using our God-given gifts in a way that gives back and we hope the community will come out to see us and support us back. We also want people to know that membership is always open to those who want to play if they can get the OK from their chain of command. It's something you don't want to miss out on!" Visit CTXWolfpack.org