A Host Family's Story

My heart breaks every time I see a sick child, but even more so when I hear that they cannot get treatment for one reason or another.  I heard about Gift of Life several years ago, so when it came time to choose a charity for the Long Island Chapter of the Caribbean Tourism Organization to donate proceeds of our fundraiser, GOL was tops on my list.  Not only did I have the pleasure of co-chairing the committee for the fundraiser, but then I was offered the opportunity to do even more by hosting this 10 month old little guy and his mom from Jamaica for a few days over the Christmas holidays while the host family went on an annual family visit.

When he arrived in New York to go to the host family, he appeared tired and weak.  His surgery was scheduled for 4 days later.  The surgery went so well that he was discharged after only 2 days in the hospital...  That weekend, they came to stay with me for ten days.  In that short period of time, I saw huge improvements in his health and behavior.  He ate and drank everything that was put in his mouth.  He was cheerful and eager.  I brought him to my sister's "big Italian Christmas eve" and everyone enjoyed him thoroughly, especially my sister's Labrador retriever, who couldn't get in enough "kisses."  Everywhere I brought him that week; he had a great time, and was very pleasant.  It is remarkable how quickly he healed.  He was "discharged" by the doctor only 11 days after surgery--and free to go home.

Barbara Chicollo, Host for Marlon Johnson (10 months of age) from Jamaica, December 2008

 

Ann Taylor's Story

In June of 2008 the Rotary Club of Pearl River decided to support a child through the Gift of Life program. At that time families were asked to volunteer to host a sick child and the child's parent. We were going to get a young baby from Haiti who needed to have a hole closed in his heart and three repairs from his heart to his lungs due to pulmonary stenosis. There were two families in our club who were going to share the responsibility however, one family would not be available until after the beginning of April. On Friday, March 20th at about 4:30 p.m. I received a call that the family was on a plane and arriving at JFK at 7:30 that evening.

On Wednesday, March 25th I picked up Alexandre and Myrlene, his mother. Surgery was scheduled for April 6th, with pre-op testing on April 2nd. In the mean time, we celebrated Alexandre's first birthday on April 3rd.

Alexandre was such a precious and happy baby who was delighted in the world wind of activities and fortunately oblivious to what he was going to experience. The daylong pre-op testing on Thursday went well and he was a brave little guy through it all. On Friday, we celebrated his first birthday with cake, balloons, munchies, songs and presents. It was so special to take pictures of his first birthday in America. Although Alex will not remember, his mom was so grateful and appreciative and will share the experience with him as he grows up. But the best gift of all was the opportunity given to him through the "Gift of Life" program so that he can grow up healthy and with God's blessings have a long life.

The experience of supporting this family in an unfamiliar country with strangers and language barriers was remarkable for all of us. For me, being able to stand by this mom to share the laughs, fears and tears and just knowing that I was doing something to give back to our future and society was heart warming. All Myrlene kept saying was "God Bless You and Thank You!"

I cannot say enough about the wonderful team at Montifiore Children's hospital. The communication, support and professionalism shown to us from everyone and every department were exceptional. There are no words to convey how outstanding this medical experience was.

The five hours of sitting and waiting for the surgery to be completed was definitely the hardest time and when we received word that the surgery was successfully finished we both cried with a sigh of relief. We were told the recovery period would be five to seven days with three to four days being spent in the intensive coronary care unit. However, with the added oxygen going through Alex's blood stream he was out of ICCU in 2 days and home from the hospital in four days. His recovery was remarkable and was cleared by both the Cardiologist and Cardiac Surgeon by April 17th and was released to return to Haiti.

His mom contacts me weekly and Alexandre is doing wonderfully. He started walking while he was here and is now really on the move. Myrlene also told me that she cannot wait to got to the Rotary Club in her town and Port-a-Prince to tell her story and thank the Rotary for this program. I encourage anyone who ever thought about giving of them selves to help others give this program a try. I was an invaluable and wonderful experience. My life has been enriched by it and Alexandre was given the gift of life!

 

My Experience as a Host Family

The second I read the email that somehow got to me about hosting this family I immediately said to myself I want to do this! I spoke to my husband and he said, "no problem let's do it". It had always been a goal of mine as well as
going on a mission trip. However, little did we know two weeks after we would be given another opportunity.... It was to adopt a baby girl which we had waited for some time for that opportunity. But being ever so energetic and filled with eagerness to help we decided to go ahead with hosting. Wellto say the least it was a great experience that we enjoyed tremendously. The commitment was more than we expected but the reward was also more than we expected. The second I met Millie and Yisel I knew I had done the right thing. As we traveled to the hotel the first evening we were both a bit timid. However, it didn't take long to figure out how we would communicate. Even with the language barrier we had little troubles. Yisel commented, "Millie usually doesn't get cozy with people as fast as she has with you". I think she definitely had an idea of what was going on. We all tried to make them feel as comfortable and loved as possible. Once they were here and settled I quickly called everyone I knew to help with appointments,
resources and just emotional support. After surgery and a clean bill of help Millie and Yisel were free to go home. Although, I was sad to see them leave knowing I would probably never see them again I knew the mission had been accomplished. For this I was extremely happy. My family, friends and club were happy to have been part of this experience. I would recommend this experience to anyone it is truly the most rewarding opportunity my husband and I have been given. It is amazing to see how so many people along with a community can come together and coordinate such an endeavor. Thank you GOF and Rotary for the leadership you provided with this project.

- Theresa Likert

 

Gift of Life New England

Children from Kosovo recently received life-saving surgeries through Gift of Life New England, Inc. Here are their stories:

Natick family opens its home to Kosovo four year old

Children From Kosova Operated In The U.S

Gift of Life Central Florida

Gift of Life Central Florida, Inc. a 501C(3) organization comprised of Rotarians from District 6980 are currently hosting 1 – year old Grace Namigame and her mother Sharifah Nakanjako, who are here from Uganda. Grace was born with a congenital heart defect, and our organization and the Gift of Life Rotarians in Uganda sponsored Grace's trip and surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida. Money was raised from participating clubs of Districts 6980 and 9200 (Uganda).

I think that you will find the story and the pictures very heartwarming.

Marty Kramer
President, Gift of Life Central Florida, Inc.

In the March 2010 issue of the Rotarian Magazine there is a delightful article on Ugandan Dancers called "Joy in Motion". Its about 25 school children living in a childrens home in Kampala who are taught music and dance, and how it has changed their lives.

This Month, Gift of Life Central Florida, and Rotarians of District 6980, witnessed our own "Joy in Motion" when we changed a one year old childs life. Sharifah Nakanjako, the mother of "little Gracie", our current Gift of Life patient from Uganda, was waiting silently, and patiently,  for Dr. DeCampli to step into the waiting room of the Pediatric cardiac care unit of Arnold Palmer Hospital, and tell her that the surgery is completed.
He hasn't yet arrived.

Sharifah's life has not been easy. In her soft, lilting, well spoken voice, she reveals to me of her life in Uganda. As a small child herself, she was a survivor of a land mine explosion. It took 2 people to carry her to safety. One man was holding her body, the other man was holding her intestines. 3 of her friends were killed.

She told me of how, her mother abandoned her and her brother, to be raised by her father who was a good man. She never knew her mother, and her father remarried. His new wife was her mother's older sister.

 She refers to her step mother as "Aunty", who was not nice to her and there was a lot of sadness growing up.

When she was 7 years old her mother returned, only to pass away from HIV. Sharifah went on to marry, and gave birth to Gloria, Grace's older sister.  When Sharifah discovered she was pregnant with Grace, she fought much opposition, as her husband did not want her to have the baby.  When Grace was 5 months old doctors told them that she had a large ventricular septal defect which meant she may not live beyond her infancy. "Aunty" told Sharifah that the spirits of her ancestors are not happy with her, and that's why Gracie is sick. Sharifah was even more determined to get her daughter the help she needed.  Sharifahs father who loves his daughter and granddaughters  dearly, along with Rotarians in Uganda, and Gift of Life International, helped bring Grace here to us in Central Florida.

 In spite of the struggles in her life, Sharifah has overcome many obstacles, with dignity, integrity, and sheer strength of character. Sharifah, and little Gracie, are survivors. We want our " Amazing Grace"  to grow into a strong and healthy young woman. Maybe she will be a strong, liberated woman, with the determination of her mother. Maybe she will pursue an education that will enable her to make a difference in her community, and her world. Maybe she will play a vital role in bringing peace to our world.  Whatever the future holds for her, Grace will have a good heart. 

After 5 long arduous hours of surgery, Dr DeCampli the cardiac surgeon, appeared at the waiting room door in his wrinkled blue scrubs and grinned.  " Surgery is completed, everything went well and Grace is doing fine". These were the words this young mother had been waiting so desperately to hear for many, many, months.
 Sharifah jumped from her chair, flew into the hallway of the pediatric cardiac care unit, and chanted a beautiful tribal song at the top of her shrill voice, simultaneously performing a colorful dance of sheer emotion, thrusting her hand to the sky, not missing a beat, for all to hear and see.

This was our "Joy in Motion."

This was our precious moment.   All who witnessed it were brought to tears, and it will never be forgotten. In Sharifah's words she softly says "I don't know how to thank you all. You are the best people on the planet earth. I love you. I love you"

It is moments, like this, that give meaning to what we do in Gift of Life, and what we do in Rotary.

By Michelle Marino-Kramer
Rotary Spouse of Marty Kramer
President; Gift of Life Central Florida, Inc.
Rotary Club of Winter Springs (FL)
District 6980

Megan Story

Richie and I have always liked providing hospitality and particularly to those from other countries and cultures. We have been blessed with a large home with plenty of space and we like to share our blessing. Plus its interesting to meet new people and their cultures and often just plain old fun. In the case of Gift of Life families, there is the additional plus of the children, more fun. We're grateful to be considered worthy hosts and appreciate the opportunity to host the families. What's more our neighbors all rally for the GOL children, gathering clothes, sharing time and helping out. That is a plus for the families and it is a way for us to become closer to our neighbors.

I work in public health and have questioned the GOL program, wondering if the funds used to save one life might have built a health center , supplied mosquito nets or purified water, interventions that may save or improve many lives, Then there's these sweet children and their families and each time a life is changed so dramatically following the surgeries, its a miracle. I think, its both, not one or the other. There have been some harrowing moments when the host family become "the family" and those moments are rough. Thankfully, all the children came through well due to the amazing work of the hospital teams. As hosts, we have seen children who are blue turn pink and others who couldn't walk more than a few yards without fatigue, run down the street and we have seen Moms and Dads whose lives were spent carrying their children watch their children move independently.

The families who come into our home, come with developed, complex relationships that have been shaped by the realities of the child's heart disease. Then, in an unfanticipated moment, those relationships change profoundly. This was certainly true for Austin and Gloria. As the host family, we are in a supportive role for both parent and child through this transition. (I actually think more formal support would be beneficial). We worked hard to support Austin and Gloria and were rewarded many times over.

One little story: when Austin was in the hospital with a breathing tube, I showed him how to give the thumbs up and thumbs down signs so that he could let us know how he was doing when he couldn't talk. He didn't respond. On the Saturday, I lifted Austin into the car seat after doing some shopping with Richie and Gloria in preparation for their return to Nigeria. Out of the blue, Austin called my name, he called me Meggie, smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

Hope that does the trick.
All the best,
Megan

WorldLingo, the worlds leading online translation company.
www.worldlingo.com