When the proud Vermilion County village of Alvin celebrates its 150th anniversary this weekend, a favorite son will be front and center, leading Saturday’s parade. To mark the occasion, we asked Becky Kinnett, the mother of grand marshal Blake Kinnett, to put into words what the town has meant to her family.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. In our case with Blake, that was so very true.
Blake has been fighting Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) for the past 8½ years. ALD is a genetic disorder that mainly affects the nervous system and the adrenal glands. In this disorder, the fatty covering (myelin) that insulates nerves in the brain and spinal cords deteriorates. The loss of myelin reduces the ability of the nerves to relay information to the brain.
In Blake’s journey, he quickly lost his ability to see, talk, walk and swallow within 10 months of diagnosis. He was only 15 and given two years to live.
Blake just celebrated his 24th birthday.
As a family we have been blessed with a community that surrounds us with love and has supported us from the very beginning. It’s often difficult to find the words to thank them for being here for us because no words can express how grateful we are and will continue to be for the Village of Alvin.
Blake was once again at the top of the priority list as he was selected to be the grand marshal for the 150th year celebration taking place Saturday and Sunday.
When I received that call, I cried, and my heart was full of joy.
As a kid that once rode his golf cart through town enjoying the cruise, he will get to do that very same thing again in his new golf cart, which is equipped to carry his wheelchair.
Blake will be leading the parade at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Thank you to all the people of Alvin, I don’t know where this journey would have taken us without all of you. It has been a blessing to raise Blake in such an amazing place.
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