Standing are Michelle Simpson, Atlanta National Bank Community Chairperson (left), and Bonnie Garrett. Isaac is pictured seated to the right of his big brother Evan.

Atlanta National Bank makes donation in honor of local family

[December 20, 2018]   LINCOLN - Each month, the employees of Atlanta National Bank collect funds through 'blue jean days' that they in turn give to charitable organizations that have a local connection to the community.

In November the blue jean money was donated to the Illinois Spina Bifida Association in honor of Cory and Bonnie Garrett and their two sons Evan and Isaac all of McLean. Young Isaac has spina bifida.

The Garretts’ learned of Isaac's condition when Bonnie was 20 weeks pregnant. Surgery was performed at 24-weeks in utero and work was done to repair Isaacs then exposed spinal cord. Isaac was born at 31 weeks and spent his first month in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He had one additional surgery on his spinal cord after birth. He also had two surgeries on his brain for hydrocephalus.

Now, two and a half years later, Isaac is a happy little boy with a lot to look forward to in the future. He is currently working hard to overcome some partial paralysis in his legs and plans to someday stand and walk with the assistance of leg braces.

The family has benefited from the work of the Illinois Spina Bifida Association and were delighted to take part in the presentation of a check made by the Atlanta National Bank to this excellent organization.

[Nila Smith and Karen Hargis]