Ella's Story
A graceful place in honor of our Ella, filled with comfort, happiness, and love.
September 10, 2008 – May 13, 2014
Ella was one of only three children in the world diagnosed with Microcephalic Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism Type I — a rare syndrome that affected every part of her little body.
Ella couldn't talk or walk — but she hugged you with her soul. She was pure love in a tiny, extraordinary body. Her presence filled every room she entered, and her spirit touched every person who knew her.
She was cared for at Virtua Hospital in New Jersey and at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware, where her name is honored on the Wall of Hope.
We knew our Ella would not live long. We knew she would be severely disabled. And so we set three goals for her short and precious life: that she is comfortable, that she is happy, and that she knows she is loved.
These three aspirations became our mantra — our mission statement. We share them now so that other families facing similar situations may find peace in knowing that despite the cruelty of your child's fate, you can still provide a lifetime of love, comfort, and joy.
"Ella was so much more than her little body. Ella was pure Love."
— Ella's family
Our Three Goals for Ella
That she is comfortable.
That she is happy.
That she knows she is loved.
These three aspirations guided all of our decisions — and now guide everything we do for the families we serve.
Ella Grace
Our Mission
Ella Grace Place is an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing comfort, happiness, and love to families of disabled and medically fragile children.
We believe no family should face these moments alone — and that every child's life, however brief or challenging, deserves to be filled with dignity, joy, and love.