SPRINGFIELD —

Looking for a way to send some holiday cheer? Try dropping a line to Lucas Hoelscher, a 14-year-old Springfield resident with spinal muscular atrophy type I.
Lucas, who is unable to talk or move, enjoys receiving letters and cards in the mail because his life completely revolves around his visual skills. He can only communicate by making sounds or moving his eyes.
Lucas, part of triplet sons, was diagnosed when he was 10 months old. Doctors told his parents, Bill and Patty, he only had months to live.
Doctors were wrong and today, Lucas is preparing to experience another holiday season with one request in mind: Send him mail. His mailing address is: 3092 Wyandot Drive, Springfield, Ohio 45502. A Letters for Lucas Facebook group has grown to nearly 1,150 members.
“His day is so routine, (the mail) gives him something to look forward to,” said Patty, a Fairborn High School graduate.
“It’s an extremely difficult disease to deal with from a care standpoint, and the amount of support that’s really out there lets you know you’re not the only one fighting for him,” Bill said.