ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Audrey Cismesia passed away from epilepsy-related issues, and one year later, her family donated something special in her memory.
Audrey was just five years old when she passed, and to celebrate her birthday this year, her parents, loved ones and friends organized the construction of two sensory swings at Nancy Olson Children’s Garden in the Klehm Arboretum.
Audrey and her family are members of Superhero Center for Autism, a non-profit organization that offers support, education and resources for individuals with autism and other special needs and their families. After the organization’s help throughout Audrey’s life, her parents wanted to give back, so they came up with the idea for the swings.
“We wanted to do something special to celebrate her birthday,” Audrey’s mother Amanda Cismesia said. “With the support of family and friends, we were able to donate some money and Audrey’s memory to Klehm. Klehm is a special place for us because Jeff and I were married here.”