Dear Friends,

The earth has burst forth in bud and bloom. Spring seems to bring renewal to the most cynical of people. And yet for our palliative patients, the birds aren’t singing. How do we take our magical experience of spring into the rooms of patients who are dying?

Palliative Care Patients
I recently read of a four-year-old child whose name was entered into a contest. The object of the contest was to find the most caring child. The child’s next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”

When a patient is referred to us, we may buy them food, clean their home, pay their rent or provide for any number of other needs. However, the greatest gift we give is to simply “help them cry.” It is also the most difficult to give because it requires our time, presence, and emotional energy. Perhaps becoming as a little child would make it easier.

Containers
We have sent two 53-foot trucks filled with clothes, dental and medical supplies and equipment, toys and shoes to Mexico this year. When my excitement ebbs for all the wonderful ways people will be helped by these shipments, I remember two young boys in a squatter’s camp years ago. We had taken a van filled with Magi gifts, when we saw young children in an open, abandoned area. As we gave them gifts, more children came and still more until we were surrounded by a huge crowd. When the gifts were all but gone, our Spanish-speaking host stood on the car to tell the others that we had nothing more to give.

As we pulled away, two young boys who had been unable to reach the car followed us on a bike. For miles they continued to peddle their bike as fast they could. The consensus in the car was that such tenacity deserved reward. So we stopped and gave them the remnants of the packages that were left.

We can only imagine the value of even the smallest gift to a child who possesses nothing.

International Patients
After two years of effort to get INS extensions for Rajmonda Krasniqi in order for her to receive a cochlear implant, we finally succeeded. Our success is due to the work of one of our special angels, Susie Hoeller, attorney. Rajmonda received the implant in January and is receiving speech therapy twice a week. There is a long list of people who gave and continue to give their time, talents and resources for this miracle to be in progress. The reward is to see this beautiful young girl realize her dream of hearing – just a normal life.

Naim Retkoceri has been here since November in hopes of recovering some use of his left arm. Even though we were unable to improve his physical situation, Naim is a wonderful example of the other healing that is often accomplished by our efforts.  The change in Naim is so extraordinary even casual bystanders notice. And how is that? Someone cared.

Nineteen-year-old Blerina Kusari is returning to her home in Kosovo this week. She was here for evaluation and possible treatment at Scottish Rite Hospital.

Annual Meeting
Each year since 1999, we have planned a time to come together.  It’s a time of reminiscing, sharing stories, and often meeting for the first time someone that we’ve read about or with whom we’ve spoken.  It’s a time of sadness and a time of laughter.

There are three very important people to this work who will be speaking to us briefly on Sunday, April 18*.  Dr. Ayaz Malik has made arrangements with doctors and hospitals for most of our international patients.  Without him that treatment would simply not have been available to us.  Susie Hoeller has made possible what seemed impossible with INS for many people who have come to us for help.  Dr. Elizabeth Paulk heads up the Palliative Care Unit at Parkland Hospital, bringing life and light to people who are dealing with the most difficult of times.  Their lives are an inspiration to us – their words carry the power of heroes.

You will want to be a part of this time of renewing old friendships, inspiration and encouragement.

Thank you for your continued involvement.

In gratitude,

Rae England