Wonderdog Walk benefits Normal Moments

When Patricia Fragen's daughter, Melissa, was fighting metastatic osteosarcoma, Fragen was desperate to have more time to spend with her. Time to talk, to laugh, to cry, even to complain or bicker. She wanted all the normal moments a mother and daughter could have.

She certainly didn't want to waste Melissa's remaining time cleaning the house (though it needed to be done for the times Melissa came home from the hospital) or shoveling snow (though the driveway needed to be clear in case she needed to leave in an emergency).

And that's how their friend, David Orlicz, became their angel.

David picked up the mail, ran errands, did chores, took care of the everyday stuff and gave Fragen the gift of time with her daughter.

In one of their "normal moments," Melissa reflected that, "Everyone deserves a David."

Today, Melissa's dying wish is helping parents and children throughout the suburbs spend more time just being families.

Mere days before Melissa's death, the mother and daughter launched Normal Moments, an organization that matches volunteers and donated services with the needs of families with critically ill children. Sometimes that means a volunteer "David" stops by to walk a dog while parents sit at their child's bedside.

Sometimes that means a cleaning company scrubs a house to help protect a child's fragile immune system when he's released from the hospital.

What started in March 2007 as a few friends in Naperville trying to help a few families nearby has grown into a full-scale volunteer organization serving Northern Illinois, with an eye toward starting Normal Moments chapters in other parts of the country.

To help provide services, Normal Moments is hosting the second annual Wonderdog Walk. Normal Moments families, volunteer "Davids" and supportive friends will walk together with their dogs Sunday, April 24, in Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village. Participants who registered early receive capes for their dogs, reminding everyone involved that the volunteers are superheroes to Normal Moments families.

Rachel Saldana of Elgin tells us why she plans to walk with her family and their dog, Toby.

Rachel Saldana

I learned of Normal Moments through the founder, Patricia Fragen. The Normal Moments families have inspired me to help in as many ways I could. My family and I have participated in the Wonderdog Walk, the Football Frenzy, and provided music for other events.

Attending events and speaking with Normal Moments families are amazing experiences. Normal Moments helps families of critically ill children focus on what is most important: being together.

The money raised goes directly to the families, helping to take care of household chores and projects that would ultimately cause stress for parents and take the focus away from their children. Normal Moments affords parents invaluable relief and support in an extraordinary circumstance.

What I find the most telling is the amount of help that comes to Normal Moments from former Normal Moments families. I have spoken with mothers with children in and out of the hospital, who have dealt with amazingly trying situations, and they have been the most excited about being able to give back.

Many were "adopted" for Christmas or Thanksgiving and were ecstatic to provide to another family as soon as they could. That sense of community is inspiring and infectious.

The Wonderdog Walk is a beautiful way to spend a Sunday. I highly recommend coming out to Busse Woods on April 24. Information regarding the walk and possible donations is available on the Normal Moments website: NormalMoments.org.

The walk is well-organized and the Normal Moments volunteers are helpful. The walk is about getting out, enjoying the day and spending time with your loved ones - no matter how many legs they use to walk.

If you go

What: Wonderdog Walk for Normal Moments

Why: Proceeds help the Naperville-based charity take care of the "little stuff" so families with critically ill children can focus on being together

When: Sunday, April 24; registration at 10 a.m., walk at 11 a.m., canine Frisbee performances at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Where: Busse Woods, Golf Road in Elk Grove Village

Cost: $15 each for adults and dogs; free for up to two children per adult, $5 for each additional child

Details: One- and two-mile routes available; rescue dogs may be rented for the walk

Info: NormalMoments.org