At Happy 2 be Home, our mission has always been to wrap families in love, strength, and support so they can care for their children safely at home. Every child we serve leaves an indelible mark on our hearts, and today, we share a story that is both a celebration of a beautiful life and a tribute to a deeply missed member of our family.
We lovingly remember Candace, who at just 6 years old, of Pottstown, PA, passed away suddenly at home on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Though her time with us was far too short, the love that surrounded her—and the comfort her family was able to provide her at home—is a lasting testament to the power of community.
The Scott Family’s Journey
When Candace was born, her mother, Stephanie, and grandmother, Pam, faced an overwhelming reality. A CAT scan revealed that Candace had suffered a stroke and brain damage before birth. Faced with a tidal wave of medical complexities, the family initially believed Candace might need to live in a long-term pediatric nursing home.
However, with incredible determination, the family trained to provide her complex care themselves, allowing them to bring Candace home where she belonged.
But to stay home safely, their house needed to change. As Stephanie shared, their daily life was loud and busy, but Candace’s world was quiet, centered in her bed or her wheelchair.
Bringing Comfort and Dignity: The Renovations
Before H2bH stepped in, daily care like bathing was a massive physical challenge. The home’s original bathroom was incredibly small and narrow.
To give Candace the dignity and safety she deserved, H2bH completely renovated and opened up the space:
- Doubling the Space: The renovation doubled the footprint of the bathroom, making it feel four times its original size.
- A Roll-In Shower: We built a spacious shower that Candace could easily be wheeled into, providing room for her family to comfortably bathe her, dress her, and do her hair.
- Safe Exterior Access: Alongside the bathroom, a custom ramp was installed, easing the physical struggle of getting Candace in and out of their Pottstown home.
These adjustments gave the Scott family what Stephanie beautifully described as “a hand up out of darkness and the unknown.” It allowed them to focus less on physical barriers and more on cherishing precious daily moments together.
“Before working with Happy 2 be Home, the transportation of Candace was a struggle. We had no ramp and no way to easily get Candace in and out of the house. The bathroom, it was small and hard to bathe Candace. And now… we can now get Candace in and out of the house for business and pleasure.”
Watch Candace’s Story
We invite you to watch Candace’s Story on YouTube. In this short video, you can hear directly from her mother and grandmother about what it meant to bring Candace home, and see the incredible community effort that made it possible.
Honoring Her Memory
While we grieve the sudden loss of Candace, we find comfort in knowing that the community came together to ensure her years at home were filled with comfort, ease, and the absolute warmth of her family.
To Stephanie, Pam, and the entire Scott family: the Happy 2 be Home community continues to stand with you. Candace’s sweet spirit will always be a guiding light for the work we do.
