Second Chance Prom

by Michelle Gautreaux

Many families today barely scrape by. We make it paycheck to paycheck, but reflecting on our lives we see that it’s actually quite normal and that we have been blessed with what we do have.

A lot of families have had circumstances brought upon them beyond their control that have led to financial difficulties. Still, they rise above their hardships. It’s time for our community to give to each other and help fellow friends and neighbors. It’s time for us to work together and pay it forward.

A group of Terrebonne and Lafourche community members have organized and formed Second Chances to do just that.

Second Chances’ mission is to provide financial help to families experiencing financial difficulty due to unforeseen tragedy, illness or disability. The hope is to restore some normalcy to their families’ lives and better enable the families to endure their crises or challenges. Second Chances envisions helping families for many years to come by raising funds through a Second Chance Prom. Each year, a family will be chosen to receive the benefits of this great event.

Meet the Loupe family.

Jason, Becky and their three sons Jacob, Austin and Cullen have endured many unforeseen circumstances, including a tragedy. Caleb, the eldest at age 10, has managed to be a big help to his parents to overcome many obstacles faced by his younger brothers, despite his own learning disabilities.

Austin was born with a rare chromosome disorder called Prader-Willi Syndrome, the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. The condition leads to low muscle tone, short stature if not treated, incomplete sexual development, chronic hunger and a metabolism that burns fewer calories than normal. Austin requires occupational, physical and speech therapy, and until recently wasn’t even considered for Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Nevertheless, he has made strides past his inabilities with encouragement from family and friends.

After having Austin, Jason and Becky were told that the chances of having another child with a disorder would be 1 in 100,000, much like the odds when having the first child.

In July 2009, the Loupes welcomed Cullen into the world, and tragedy struck their family in August. After months of a difficult pregnancy, doctors gave Jason and Becky the thumbs up, indicating that their child did not suffer any disorders. However, Cullen had arrived prematurely and passed away 21 days later, the result of yet another rare chromosome disorder.

The strength that the Loupes have maintained is inspiring. They have a love for life and people. Though faced with many obstacles, the family has consistently risen above. They evoke the true spirit of paying it forward, and that is Second Chances’ main mission—to help one another, to get a second chance.