About Erin Templer
Born: November 9, 2004
Died: June 28, 2020
Erin Elizabeth Templer is the daughter of Paul Templer, Founder of Templer Foundation. She had one too many seizures, and a few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, she died. Erin’s time with us was cut short, but her influence lives on; she inspired us to be light and to bring love, and Erin’s Light Early Intervention Program is her legacy.
Soon after Erin was born, we knew that she and the rest of our family had a challenging path ahead of us. Doctors and educators attached labels to Erin like “profoundly cognitively impaired,” “intractable seizures,” and “medically fragile.” Our labels included “Sweetheart,” “Sunshine,” “Daughter,” “Sister,” and “Erin.”
Erin’s life was not always easy; neither was it always easy for those who she loved and who got to love her. She taught us a lot as she prepared us for life without her, and informed her legacy, Erin’s Light. We got to experience firsthand what life is like as a family with a child with special needs:
The fear of the unknown
The sadness and incredible guilt “What did I do to cause this?” “What could I or should I have done differently?”
The stigma society (often inadvertently) imposes and difficulties associated with living with special needs
The dark nights of the soul questioning our faith
The financial implications
The pressure it puts on family members and relationships
Our family was unique insofar as:
We were incredibly fortunate to be privileged to have access to world class doctors, educators, and caregivers
We were relatively financially secure
Erin’s mom, Carrie, is a nurse
Erin’s grandmother Sally is globally-acknowledged as an authority on the design and mobilization of early intervention programs that support children with special needs (and their families)
Erin’s dad (Paul) was bound and determined to save his little girl, and to help others who are treading a similar path; many of whom are far less fortunate than we were
We enjoyed the pleasure and privilege of Erin in our lives…
With everything Erin endured on a daily basis, she inspired many of those whose lives she touched by the way she faced each day’s challenges head on without complaint; she was a daily reminder that adversity doesn’t build character insomuch as it reveals it. Erin was happy. Erin was kind. Erin was… Erin. We weren’t able to save Erin. We are able to further her legacy. If Erin was still alive today and was able to speak, I’m confident she’d urge us all to emulate her… to Be Light and to Bring Love.