Rooted in Love: Kate’s Journey of Resilience and Belonging

At just six years old, Kate has already braved battles most children her age can’t begin to imagine. Diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic disease called alpha mannosidosis, her young life has been marked by hospital visits, uncertainty, and a life-changing bone marrow transplant that took her family from their home in Louisiana to Minnesota for six long months. Yet, alongside her path to healing, another remarkable story unfolded—one not solely about illness, but about resilience, love, and a community coming together to lift up a little girl they cherished.

Kate is the oldest of three siblings, and in many ways, she has become the heart of her family’s strength. Her younger sister and brother look up to her, especially as they watched her face her illness with quiet bravery. And through all the challenges, her family remained rooted in faith and love, finding comfort in the small moments and deep connections that carried them through the hardest days.

Kate attends Maltrait Memorial Catholic School in Kaplan, Louisiana, a small, close-knit private school that her family lovingly calls a “hidden gem.” Her mother, Elise, describes how Kate, once a quiet and anxious child, found comfort in the school’s warm, familiar environment. With only seven classmates in her kindergarten class, Kate began to come out of her shell. 

“The school saw her for who she was. She’s a bright, sensitive kid, and she’s full of potential. They met her exactly where she needed to be.”

Kate’s life changed in an instant when her medical treatment required a six-month relocation to Minnesota in 2023. She and her family had to leave everything familiar behind. But even from hundreds of miles away, their Maltrait community made sure they never felt alone.

The school sent regular packets of schoolwork so Kate could continue her studies from her temporary home. Her teachers made sure she didn’t fall behind, and more importantly, that she still felt included. It wasn’t just about lessons—it was about belonging.

Elise says that one day, while in Minnesota, they received a video from the school. Every student at Maltrait had gathered outside and arranged themselves into the shape of a giant heart. In the video, they called out in unison: “We love you, Kate!” It was a simple but powerful message that brought tears to Elise’s eyes. In that moment, they knew: this wasn’t just a school. It was a lifeline.

“It was like she never missed a beat,” Elise remembers. “But even more, it reminded us we weren’t walking this path alone.”

The support didn’t stop when Kate returned home. Because her medical needs are ongoing, she wears hearing aids and still requires daily assistance. The school provided a one-on-one aide named Hillary, who stays with Kate throughout the day. Another teacher, Miss Leah, offers additional support in a quiet, nurturing space when Kate needs it. And Elise says her kindergarten teacher, Miss Caroline, went above and beyond by wearing a microphone on her shirt so Kate could hear her better.

“She has truly blossomed here,” Elise says. “She calls it ‘her place.’ It’s where she feels safe. It’s where she belongs.”

Kate is now thriving in a first-grade class of just 13 students. Repeating kindergarten after her transplant might have delayed her academic path, but it never dampened her spirit. It’s given her a stronger foundation. Her sister, now in the same grade due to the repeat year, is one of her greatest companions at school—another sweet twist in their family’s journey.

Through it all, Elise says the Arete Scholarship has been a vital part of Kate’s story. When finances were stretched thin by travel, medical expenses, and time away from work, Arete made it possible for Kate and her sister to continue attending Maltrait. Arete also sent the family a gift card to help ease some of the burden while they were in the hospital in Minnesota—a gesture Elise says meant more than words could express. “Without Arete, we couldn’t have done this,” she shares. “This scholarship gave us one less thing to worry about—and in a year full of worry, that meant everything.”

When asked what she hopes for Kate’s future, Elise was quick to answer: “I hope she can stay at Maltrait through eighth grade. This is where she thrives. And she wants to be a nurse one day—I think because she’s spent so much of her life around people who’ve cared for her.”

Kate’s journey is far from over. But with a strong school behind her, a loving family, and a generous community of supporters who make scholarships like Arete’s possible, she’s facing each day with courage and joy.

To the donors who make it all possible, Elise offers heartfelt words: “You may never meet these children, but you are changing their lives. You’ve given Kate a place where she is safe, loved, and supported. You’ve given her a future.”

And for one little girl with a rare disease and a mighty heart, that gift is everything.