Several months after Kenneth William Sapp was born, his parents were told that he had hypotonic quadraparesis and that he would never walk, talk or do anything a “normal” child could do. “But he was a beautiful boy with eyes that were a window to his beautiful soul,” said his mother, Carol Johnson. “He loved life and all who entered into his.”

Kenneth loved any and all animals. Over the years, he had many: guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, snakes and mice. But his best buddy was his greyhound, JD, who was known to stand over and protect Kenneth while he was lying on the floor playing.

Kenneth also loved listening to music, whether it was at church or watching his videos. His favorite movie was “The Little Mermaid,” and Ariel was his favorite girl.

Through the Children’s Wish Foundation (now New Hope for Kids) and Give Kids the World, (for which he appeared in a print ad and TV commercial), Kenneth visited Walt Disney World annually.

Kenneth’s family moved to New York from Florida in 2003 to be closer to family. They enjoyed their first Christmas with relatives. Then, on Jan. 25, 2004, 17-year-old Kenneth passed away from meningitis and became an organ donor.

“After his death, I was introduced to the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network. I found support for my grief and began helping with fundraisers and activities with other donor families,” said Carol. “I am now the liaison for the Central New York team and look forward to attending the U.S. Transplant Games in 2010. I am also on the committee for donor family celebrations in Rochester and Syracuse.”