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Amy Lehn Blasinski was a beautiful, spunky young lady who lived with hydrocephalus and epilepsy her entire life. She was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes fluid buildup in the brain due to a blockage. Hydrocephalus usually requires a shunt inserted into the brain to release the fluid. Shunts are adequate at best and Amy required over 50 shunt related surgeries throughout her life. Much of Amy's life was spent at Hope Hospital, where doctors and nurses became her friends, as well as her caregivers. Amy was one of the patients who cut the ribbon at the opening of Hope Children's Hospital in 1996. Such a child friendly hospital made it much easier to endure her frequent visits. Although much of Amy's life was spent dealing with medical issues, her life was very full. She did numerous sports with Special Olympics and had over 50 medals that she was very proud of. Special Olympics gave her the opportunity to compete with athletes of her ability and build her self-esteem. Her favorite sport was basketball. She attended Elim Christian School a school for individuals with special needs. It afforded her many opportunities such as sports, cheerleading, a job, choir and much more. Most importantly she was nurtured in a Christian environment, which was important to her. Amy loved her God and wanted everyone to know it. Starlight Starbright Foundation was important in Amy's life both in and out of the hospital. In the hospital, Starlight hosts holiday parties and has computers that can hook up patients in other states to see and talk to each other. They also had activities when Amy was at home such as Halloween parties at the zoo and yearly proms where Amy enjoyed her favorite activity...dancing! She loved to collect shells on the beach, horsebackriding, singing in her choirs, writing letters, going on vacation and dogs of every size and shape. Amy had an amazing way of viewing life. She never had an agenda for anything. Life was mostly great with a few bad days. Shortly before her death she said to me, "I love my life" and she meant it. Her surgeon said to me once "Amy is the purest person I know", I thought that was a beautiful way to describe her. Amy lived her life to the fullest. She packed more into 19 years than some people do in a lifetime. She saw everyone in the world as equal and was willing to help with any cause that came her way. She was always collecting money for something. Amy's last gift was to donate her organs and tissue to others. She helped many others to live with this precious gift of life. In Amy's memory we want to help others to live their lives to the fullest also. Her heart now beats in another, but the love it holds remains ours. Her eyes help others to see as she now looks through heavenly eyes. Other gifts of life are blessings in many ways, and in her new perfect body she is more beautiful than ever. I love you Amy, Dad