Lauren M Sanders

Lauren Marie Sanders was born October 8th, 2009 with a genetic condition known as Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy Type IV with Anhidrosis, a rare genetic disorder and is characterized by an inability to feel pain and an inability to sweat. Children affected by this tragic condition also cannot feel temperature and cannot distinguish between hot and cold. She fought an exceptionally long life, considering her complications, and became our angel on March 22nd, 2015. Lauren’s Mommy, Sam, saved both hers and her brother Trenton’s life through the gift of adoption. Lauren came home for good to Inverness, Florida on September 13, 2012, and her adoption was finalized on December 11th of that year. At first, Miss Lauren was a bit shy and reserved. However, the unrelenting determination of her Mommy brought our little princess out of her shell. Sam’s commitment to doing everything that she could to save Lauren’s life led to a lifetime of love and joy. Sam has a heart of gold, and has been such an inspiration to all of us. Despite the multiple surgeries, hospitalization and hundreds of medical professionals tending to Lauren, we can take comfort in knowing that she never felt an ounce of pain through it all. What she did feel, however, was the outpouring of love from so many people all across the country as she battled with this unimaginable challenge. More importantly, little Miss Lauren died peacefully, in her mother’s arms, knowing wholeheartedly that Sam loved her more than anything in the entire world. While Lauren was most certainly affected by her condition, she was so much more than a special needs child. She was bright and attentive, loving and kind, full of the energy that we see in other children her age. She loved to read books and play with her toy kitchen that she received from Santa Claus last Christmas. She enjoyed characters like Mickey Mouse and Dinosaur Train, and had great fun playing with her legos. She was, for all intents and purposes, a typical five year old girl. Her blue eyes sparkled underneath her beautiful blonde hair, and her smile could melt a team of doctors just as quickly as it melted our own hearts. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, April 3rd at 6:30 PM at the Chas E Davis Funeral Home with Pastor Sarah Campbell of the First United Methodist Church of Inverness officiating. Burial in Hills of Rest Cemetery, Floral City, FL.