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| Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. | www.fultonsun.com | Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
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Fighting for Brooke By JON HETZEL The Fulton Sun
That is how Brooke Spry lives her life. She cannot take breathing for granted - her lungs have died more times than she can count. And if the Fulton teenager does not receive special surgery before next winterŠ well, Brooke's mother, Melissa, does not like to entertain the notion. "I'm not ready to lose my daughter yet," Melissa said, her voice shaking as a tear left a wet trail to her chin. "I fought too hard to get her where she is at. If I give up, I'm giving up on Brooke. "She can't fight for herself. I have to fight for her," Melissa added. Brooke was born with central sleep apnea, a life-endangering condition that causes her to stop breathing when she sleeps. In simple terms, her brain forgets to tell her to breath. Since she was 5, she has used an oxygen machine during the night. But after nearly 15 years on the machine, bacteria continually forms in her lungs, giving her bouts with pneumonia. Brooke needs surgery to implant a diaphragmatic pacemaker - technology that shocks her lungs back into work. However, Melissa said the equipment will cost $64,000 - and she has to raise $60,000. "I just can't do it on my own," said Melissa, who works two jobs and is raising three children. "I have to get help from the community. This is my last straw in trying to help her. She won't make it through another winter." Melissa is slowly watching her daughter die - one day at a time. Brooke was born with Cerebral Palsy. She cannot speak and only has peripheral vision. She had seizures until she was 5 years old, which only seemed to happen when she would wake up from sleep, Melissa said. Not long after Brooke nearly died, she was diagnosed with central sleep apnea. "We're lucky she lived for five years," Melissa said. In 1992, things looked grim for Brooke. She met Reba McEntire through the Make a Wish Foundation - an organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. But Brooke has survived another 13 years - one prayer at a time. "The Lord wanted me to have her for a reason," Melissa said. "I would do it all again if I had to. The Lord gives you what you can handle." Brooke has been in the hospital four times this year because of the pneumonia. With the pacemaker, she would be off the oxygen machine and her lungs should clear up. "It will probably prolong her life another 5-20 years," Melissa said, watching Brooke roll colorful beads through her fingers. "We will all fight for you," she added, patting Brooke's leg. Brooke smiled and nodded her head, a reminder to those around her that she is trying to live her life one smile at a time. The pictures in Brooke's room show her contagious smile during monumental events in her life, including her graduation from H. Kenneth Kirchner State School in 2004. Brooke's joy has taught Melissa a number of lessons in life. "She has given me the heart to love others," Melissa said. And because of the love Melissa has for Brooke, she is unable to forget she may lose her daughter. "My biggest scare is, 'What if people don't donate? What then?'" Melissa said. "I don't know how I would handle it if she didn't get the surgery." Melissa is doing all she can to raise money for Brooke. She has set donation cans around town. She will be selling hot-dogs and Cokes at Wal-Mart, washing vehicles on Saturdays and has set up a trust fund in Brooke's name. That is what Melissa focuses on - one fundraising activity at a time. And as the community hears her story, it is beginning to respond. A benefit concert is being planned by four Fulton teenagers to raise money. A handful of other organizations are beginning to look into what they may do as fundraisers. Yet in many ways, it is the individuals in Fulton who are beginning to step up to save Brooke's life. Melissa said she was in the breakroom at Wal-Mart when one of her co-workers mentioned he does not keep his pennies and tosses them on the ground. Melissa told him about Brooke and how important every cent is in the life of her daughter. "The other day, he handed me a handful of pennies," Melissa said, her voice full of excitement. "He has been collecting his change ever since he heard Brooke's story." And that is how Melissa plans to save her daughter's life - one penny at a time. Benefiting BrookeBelow are a handful of ways to donate money to Brooke Spry. Other fundraisers will be reported as they become available.* Donation cans at Cleek's, Dollar Tree, Security Finance, Earl's Pawn Shop, Bank Star One and Little Caesars. * Trust fund set up in Brooke's name at Bank Star One. * 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 2, - Car wash and bake sale at Fulton Auto Zone. * 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 9, - Car wash and bake sale at Fulton Auto Zone. * 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 9 - Coke wagon at Wal-Mart will be selling food and drinks. * 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 23, - Car wash and bake sale at Fulton Auto Zone. * 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 30, - Car wash and bake sale at Fulton Auto Zone. * Noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, August 13 - Benefit concert in Fulton. (All times and dates subject to change.) See also: Fulton youths plan music festival to benefit Spry |
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