Humble Beginnings:
When Linda and Larry Walsh filled their first order for SureFit sheets in the summer of 2005, they printed the paperwork in the dining room, packed boxes in the family room and made the delivery in the family Suburban. It was a humble beginning for their family business but some how they knew that their hard work would pay off. Not only did they sell a high quality product and
foster the ambition to grow a successful business, they had a legacy to build. They needed a name that would reflect the strength of their product line, commitment to service and the character of their future employees. The choice was a natural one - name it Taylor Healthcare Products, Inc. Taylor Walsh was born in February, 1989. Taylor's birth was normal, but as he consistently missed milestones, it became apparent that he would face a life full of challenges, both mentally and physically. While doctors were unsure of what lay ahead, they believed he would never walk or talk and that his mind would not develop beyond that of an infant. Puzzled by his condition and unsure of his strength and determination, doctors said that he may only live to be 3 years old. Beating the Odds:
But Taylor had other plans. He defied medical experts as weeks turned into months and months turned into years. He loved to be pushed on his swing in the backyard and swimming in Larry's arms in the family pool. At the age of 5, he started attending a special program at school. As a student in a special education class, Taylor connected with his teachers and friends in his own unique way and was beloved by everyone who worked with him at school. His love for life, family and friends was obvious in his small gestures, joyful smile and infectious laugh. Taylor sang along, in his very own language, to Frank Sinatra and cheered on his older brother, Austin, from the sidelines at The Woodlands Highlander football games. As a teenager, Taylor's health began to slowly decline. He went everywhere the family went. If he wasn't at school and was feeling up to it, he accompanied Linda and Larry to work at the company's first warehouse, where he enjoyed watching movies and listening to music in the office. In early 2009, Taylor Healthcare Products, Inc. outgrew their cramped space and moved to an 11,000 square foot facility in Spring, Texas. The move was exciting for both the company and Taylor, who got his own office with his favorite things and all the Disney movies he could watch. His office was perfectly located between Linda and Larry. With large picture windows between the offices the three of them were consistently connected, they could always see Taylor and he could see them. His smile became a fixture at the corporate office where he served as a constant reminder of the values of the company that shared his name. Building a Legacy:
After a lifelong fight for life and too many bouts of pneumonia to count, Taylor passed away on December 27, 2009. He died peacefully at home in his family's arms. That evening when paramedics arrived at the home, they realized that they were in the presence of the special person that inspired some of the products they use every day. A paramedic, named Rhonda, left Linda and Larry with a comforting message - she would remember their son every time she opened a pack of sheets or covered a patient with a Taylor Healthcare blanket in her ambulance. Taylor has and will continue to touch the lives of millions through the company named after him. Taylor's sheets, blankets and pillows provide warmth, comfort and protection for patients every day. In the days following their loss, Linda and Larry received a phone call from an old friend. She had just heard about Taylor's death from her son, a Montgomery County fire fighter. Word had spread, from ambulance to fire stations across the area, the little boy behind the name on the stretcher sheets and blankets had just died. Rhonda and her colleagues were telling Taylor's story. Taylor left a legacy of compassion, determination and respect for every human being. With each case of product that leaves the warehouse a little bit of legacy goes with it, as the company logo is also a reflection of Taylor; the star represents the "North Star" because Taylor is the company's guiding light. Now you too know Taylor's story.
