"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."
~Albert Einstein
My niece MacKenna is one of the most amazing people I have
the privilege to know. She puts truth in the statement – wise beyond her years.
She is a thinker, an innovator, a creator, a leader and she is only four.
In 2011, MacKenna started to experience pain and visible swelling
in her knee and joints. After months of doctors’ visits and unanswered
questions, my sister and brother-in-law turned to the Minnesota Children’s
Hospital staff for answers. It was at that time she was diagnosed with Juvenile
Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), which is a term used to describe a type of
arthritis in children. It is a long-term (chronic) disease resulting in joint
pain and swelling.
According to A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, the cause of JRA
is not known. It is thought to be an autoimmune illness. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and
destroys healthy body tissue. JRA usually occurs before age 16 and symptoms may
start as early as 6 months old.
The doctors put her on several medications, including a
weekly shot which MacKenna calls “the poke.” To say the least, it has been a
challenging couple of years for my family.
In good news, MacKenna went to Children's last week and was
told that the arthritis was in remission. To stabilize her improved status, she
will continue her medication for an additional year. The story below is based
on actual events in MacKenna’s life. The names and some of the details are
fictional, but for the most part this is a true story.
HALLOWEEN
Written By Amy
Carrier
The Proud Aunt of
MacKenna Lynn Guptil
She had been looking forward to this day for months. Kylie
could no longer contain her excitement. She swiftly opened her closet door and
searched for the white box labeled “Halloween.” She stood on the balls of her
feet as she extended her arms to the sky in attempt to reach the box. The
small-framed 3-year-old was far from reaching the treasure, but she jumped
in the air as a last ditch effort to reach it. Kylie lost her balance and
tumbled into closet. The various toys, games and articles of clothing came
tumbling down on top of her.
Her mother heard the commotion from the kitchen and came
running into Kylie’s room. There she found an angelic face buried in a pile of
stuffed animals and toys staring back her. Kylie’s soft blonde curls and indigo
eyes made her seem like a fragile doll.
“Are you okay Kylie?”
“Oh yes Mommy, I was just trying to reach my costume.” Kylie
pointed to the top shelf. “Can you PLEEAASSEE help me?” Her mother couldn’t
resist Kylie’s smile, which stretched ear to ear on her petite porcelain face.
Her mother reached the Halloween box down and placed it on the
floor between them. Teasingly she said, “Are you sure you want to
open the box?” Kylie, almost bursting with excitement screamed, “Yes Mommy!
Please open the box!”
Her mother opened the box to reveal Kylie’s princess
costume. She had decided months earlier that she was to be Belle from Beauty
and the Beast for Halloween.
Kylie dropped to her knees and reached into the box. She
slowly pulled out a miniature dress that was covered in yellow and pink
lace. It was a replica of Belle’s dress. Kylie held it up to her chest as she
stood up and started spinning around the room. She stopped and looked at her
mom with her cheeky little smile.
“I am going to be the prettiest princess in the land.” She
squealed.
“Yes, yes the prettiest princess in all the land.” Her
mother repeated trying to mask the quiver in her voice and the tear that escaped
down her cheek.
~~
The sun was setting over the neighborhood and the street
lamps were starting to glow. Little Batmans, cowboys and Tinker Bells started
to emerge from the beige cookie-cutter houses that lined the street. Kylie
stood at the bottom on the stairs peeking out the window. She was a vision and
a perfect tiny version of Belle. The yellow ball gown fit like a glove and she
had the tiara and sequence Mary Jane’s to match.
“Come on Dad, come on! There won’t be any candy left.”
He chuckled, “It’s okay Princess. There will be plenty of
candy.”
Based on her level of excitement he expected to see Kylie
explode out the door and run to the neighbor’s house like she had done the
previous Halloween. However, she slowly made her way down the front porch
stairs. Each step was a struggle. She would take a step with her right leg and
then drag the left behind.
Kylie slowly made her way to the house next door where her
friend Gracie lived.
“Trick or treat?” She yelled when Gracie’s dad opened the door.
He smiled, “What a beautiful princess. I didn’t expect a
visit from Belle tonight.”
Kylie giggled, “It’s me Mr. Thompson! Kylie!”
“Oh my, I didn’t realize it was you. Well Kylie, you are a
beautiful princess,” he said as he dropped a piece of candy into her orange
pumpkin.
Kylie and her father visited a few more houses. With each
step she moved a little slower and smiled a little less. Finally, she turned to
her dad with an exhausted face.
“Daddy, can you carry me?”
“Of course princess.” He lifted her up and carried her to
the next front porch. He set her down and Kylie limped to the door. She
mustered enough energy and knocked.
“Trick or treat,” she whispered. By this time even her voice
seemed tired.
After she received the candy, Kylie turned to her dad and
motioned for him to come closer.
She leaned into his ear and whispered, “I just want to go
home. This isn’t fun anymore.”
He scooped her up into his arms and she nestled into his
chest. He could feel the warmth of her breath and the wetness of her tears as
they walked home. He started to cry. They could no longer ignore the symptoms.
They needed to find someone to help Kylie.
Halloween 2011 - MacKenna & Mason (my niece and nephew)
