Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 121, Number 45, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 11 November 1998 — Page 3
Giving thanks... Special gift adds to spirit of holiday
By Merrie Chapman (Note: With the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, now is a time to reflect on all that we have to be grateful for in our lives. For some the gift of life itself was made more precious this year through special circumstances. For others good deeds or a neighbor’s kindness touched hearts and changed lives. Perhaps it is the simple pleasures taken for granted each day that cause you to pause this season. Whatever your blessings have been, may you be reverently thankful this holiday season and share your sentiments with those around you.) When Shirley Shapland gave birth to her son Michael 15 years ago, she and husband Russell had no idea that within a year their healthy baby would lose his hearing. This Thanksgiving holiday the family is exceptionally grateful for Michael’s restored hearing. For the first time in his life Michael will hear the blessing preceding the holiday feast, the tinkling of silverware and glasses at the table, and the simple background sounds of a family celebrating together. All miraculous gifts mad£ possible through the efforts of family, friends, neighbors and caring people throughout the communities of Nappanee and Wakarusa. Michael’s hearing loss came when he contracted spinal meningitis as an infant. His symptoms at first seemed to indicate a simple cold was bothering him. “We thought he was getting over his cold when we left to go to my sisters,” says Shirley. During the family’s trip to Pennsylvania, Michael’s “cold” symptoms compounded until he was taken to a local doctor. The physician ran several tests before telling Russell and his wife that the baby had spinal meningitis. To complicate matters both families had now been exposed to the terrible affliction and had to undergo quarantine and medication. A week’s family vacation stretched into a month of waiting and praying as fdichael remained in the hospital. The other family members remained healthy and the baby finally began the process of recovery. His one lasting symptom of that period...hearing loss. Michael’s hearing was reduced to only 2%. He was deaf. As he grew Michael was fitted for hearing aids at different stages of his life but none were strong enough to effectively help him. He grew frustrated at not being able to communicate well with those around him, and short tempered when he couldn’t understand simple conversations or instructions from his own parents. As the Shaplands ushered in 1998 anew hope was given to them. A trip to Riley’s Hospital to see a specialist offered anew solution. Russell and Shirley had been told about a surgery that could be done to put implants in Michael’s ears. The specialist at Riley’s Hospital gave the teen a thorough examination and testing process before advising against the
irths
Gary and Sandra Jenkins, daughter, October 29, Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Leonard and Miriam (Kuhns) Bontrager, daughter, November 3, St. Joseph Community Hospital of Mishawaka.
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surgery. Instead he told the family about anew high-tech hearing aid with stronger frequencies. The unit uses a computer chip and remote control device operates the volume. With excitement the Shaplands accepted the referral to Elkhart Clinic to be fitted for the new devices. It was there that the family learned their new hope came with a price tag —$3,600. It was not an attainable goal on their budget. Tom Shaw, Consumer Credit Counseling, referred Russell and Shirley to the Family Christian Development Center, serving the communities of Nappanee and Wakarusa. He told them it was a resource center dedicated to matching up people with needs and groups/agencies who could help them. FCDC Director Joann Andrews was stunned by the enormous task at hand. She had been presented with requests to help purchase one hearing aid in an effort to reduce costs for several families. But never had she faced raising this large sum. Undaunted she plunged ahead in her fundraising efforts. While she remained optimistic about the goal she was honest in telling the Shaplands that it may not be feasible to anticipate raising the total amount. “Russell was so dedicated through all of this,” says Andrews. “It really took a lot for this family to come to us and ask for help, but when I told him we might not get the money he would just keep saying ‘l’m going to talk to my family and our friends, I’m sure they will help too.’ He never gave up.” His determination impressed the director greatly. “All I knew,” says Russell, “was that he NEEDED those hearing aids and we were going to get the money somehow, I didn’t care who I had to ask.” Three groups were instrumental in the fundraising efforts for Michael’s hearing aids —the Nappanee Noon Kiwanis, Wakarusa Lions Club and Psi lota Xi. Those organizations donated a
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COLOR WINNER—Park Pharmacy has announced that Amanda McFerren was the winner of the Advance-News coloring contest for the age seven competition level. She is the daughter of Chris and Alan McFerren, Nappanee. Pictured from left: Connie Thomas, Park Pharmacy, and McFerren. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)
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total of $1,700 for which the Shaplands were eternally grateful. Still the family faced raising the balance that was left. “That was when Russell and Shirley came to me,” says Joann Andrews. “They said they wanted to help raise the money. I was so impressed because I’ve never had anyone say they wanted to be a part of the fundraising for their own request.” The Shaplands proposed having a car wash. Family members attended church at Living Gospel, Nappanee, and the minister there, Ron Clutter, agreed to have the church back the fundraiser. The Shaplands, their friends and family made plans for the October 3 event, held at George’s Service and Car Wash. As they prepared even well-wishers lost optimism saying that summer is the peak season for car washes, and that the best results for such fundraisers normally ended in SSOO or less profits. “I wish you could have seen them,” says Joann Andrews. “This family never gave up, never doubted that the money would come from somewhere. They just smiled and kept planning and working.” The morning of the car wash brought gray clouds and rain. “And they were still smiling,” says Joann with a loving chuckle. To the Shapland’s surprise a group from the Living Gospel congregation came to help wash cars. Among them was Pastor Clutter with good news. The church had already received many monetary pledges. Between those commitments and the people who turned out for the car wash (despite the rain), Michael was one step closer to getting his hearing aids. Having fallen short of their goal, Russell and Shirley again turned to Joann Andrews and the Family Christian Development Center. Through the Center and its resources the remaining funds were obtained. Asa result Michael’s hearing rose to 80% and he can now communicate with his loved ones and classmates at Concord High
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NEW PERSON—Michael Shapland is described by his mother Shirley as "a whole new person.' The change she says was the gift of hearing made possible through caring people from both the Nappanee and Wakarusa communities. See related article
School. Simple things like the furnace beside his desk kicking on serve a distractions now. Before he could never even hear it. “His teacher says he participates more in class and talks more to tne other kids,” says Shirley. “He’s like a whole new person.” “It’s really neat the way we can talk to him now,” says Russell. “He’s not so frustrated because he can’t hear us or understand what we are saying.” With tears gathering at the corners of his eyes Russell describes how he used to have to walk across the house to Michael’s bedroom door and yell for him to turn down his TV because it was disrupting the household. “I can’t tell you how good it is not to have to make that trip now,” says Russell. “It always made me feel bad to make that trip down the hall and tell him to turn his TV down to where he couldn’t enjoy it.” It’s little things like that, that mean the most,” says Shirley. To the organizations, church and people who reached out to them, the Shaplands would like to say "thank you” for giving their son the gift of hearing.
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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, November 11, 1998
for a touching story which leaves one local family with something special to be thankful for this holiday season. Pictured: Michael sits between his parents Shirley and Russell Shapland. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)
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