Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 121, Number 48, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 2 December 1998 — Page 3
Christmas blessings... Look forward to spending holiday at home
By Merrie Chapman (Note: As you celebrate the Christmas holiday may you take a look within yourself and at all you have been blessed with in your life. May you count your blessings with true Christmas spirit as these individuals have done.) For Abbot and Dori Martin, Nappanee, every day spent with their daughter Brittney is cause for celebration. As Christmas approaches the couple look at the miracle that is their little girl and count her as the source of many blessings they have received. In early spring 1994 an ultrasound alarmed doctors at Elkhart General Hospital that something was wrong with the Martin’s baby. The young couple were sent to the Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, for additional testing. It was there doctors told the teenagers their little girl appeared to have spina bifada, several vertebrae missing—which would cause almost total paralysis, and a hole in one wall of her heart. A genetics counselor even warned Abott and Dori that their daughter would in all likelihood be a vegetable and advised them to seek an abortion. “That was never even a possibility,” says Abott. “We knew we were keeping her no matter what they said.” All the stress contributed to an early delivery. Three weeks after they first discovered the problem Dori went into labor at Elkhart General. The baby came so fast there was no time for drugs to help with labor pains. Brittney was rushed to Memorial Hospital, South Bend, as her father followed. Dori was released two hours after delivery in order to join them. The prognosis was better than first expected. Brittney didn’t have a hole in her heart. She did, however, have spina bifada and was paralyzed from the knees down. The day after her birth, Brittney underwent surgery to enclose the vertebrae outside her back. For nearly seven weeks she remained in intensive care. Soon she needed additional surgery to put a shunt in her head to keep fluid off the brain. The device became blocked just before Christmas. The newlyweds and their daughter spent their first Christmas holiday in the hospital as Brittney underwent surgery to install a second shunt. Two months later they spent their first anniversary in the hospital with Brittney for the same reason. In all she has undergone the same procedure five times, as well
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'i- FUNDRAISER—The Classey Chassies bowling u . I'rrom the Nappanee Morning Coffee League recently organized a candle fundraiser with benefits going to Brittney Martin. Proceeds will be used to help purchase a much needed specialized wheelchair and hospital expenses. The fundraiser featured Home Interiors and Gifts “Candles in a Jar' and netted $650. The bowlers would like to thank the following people for helping in the fundraiser: all the bowlers at Gold Crown Lanes, the employees of FBCU, police station, post office. Dr. Olgesbee's office, Century 21, Four Winds, Fitness USA, Presbyterian Nursery School, Henschen Oil, Zimmer of Warsaw, Country Table, The Maple Grove Jr. Youth and the Amish Acres Soda Shop. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)
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as nine corrective surgeries and three broken bones. “Any time we’re out of the hospital is a good time,” jokes Abott. “It has really brought us closer as a family,” says Dori. Brittney undergoes therapy twice a week and is currently in preschool. She uses a special brace from the Shriners’ Hospital, Chicago, to make walking possible. The toddler is very active whether crawling or using the brace and doesn’t appear to miss out on any chances to play with her peers. “The Lord doesn’t give us more than we can handle,” says Abott. “If he gives you a special child or circumstance he’s there to help you with it.” That faith is shared by his wife, family and friends. It is the source of strength both Abott and Dori have depended on throughout Brittney’s young life and the weeks of anxiety preceding her birth. “We are just so thankful to our family and the church,” adds Abott. “We didn’t have to carry the load by ourselves. Our family, our
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WALKING MIRACLE— Four-year-old Brittney Martin is a walking miracle. See related article for details. Brittney is just one of the many blessings her family and the community can give thanks for this holiday season. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)
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church and the community have really been there for us.” The Martins look forward to the upcoming holiday and hope to spend it at home opening presents with their daughter, “and just being with her,” says Dori. But they know that such things are never a certainty and that each day brings new challenges. “We would really like to say thank you to the entire community, to our church—The First Brethren Church, our family and friends, the Shriners’ Hospital and local Shriners Club for all their support and donations" says Dori. This last fundraiser has been an “amazing” experience says the proud parents. “With Brittney going to school next year she needs a special wheelchair,” says Abott. He adds that the cost is quite high. The community held a fundraiser throughout November to help pay for the wheelchair as well as medial expenses. Anyone still wishing to contribute to that cause can contact the First Brethren Church, 1600 North Main Street, Nappanee, IN 46550. Checks can be made payable to the church.
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OFFER CONCERT—Nappanee Elementary students will offer the annual Winter Concert to be held Thursday, December 3, 7p.m., at the North Wood High School Auditorium.
Federal funds directed for local use
Elkhart County has been awarded federal funds, under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The county has been chosen to receive $47,298, to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area. This allocation is S9OO, or 1.94% less than last year. The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way of America, which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress, to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. A local board made up of city council. United Way, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Labor, Catholic Charities, Lacasa, Switchboard Concern and, area business, will determine how the funds awarded to Elkhart
Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, December 2, 1998
Pictured: Mr. Harkness' third grade class practices their musical selection 'Children Go Where I Send You.' (AN photos by Merrie Chapman)
County are to be distributed shelter programs run by local seramong the emergency food and vice organizations in the area.
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