Sequoia Israel-Olson, 5, and her mom, Jerri Israel, tickle Chaz, 6, in their West Glenwood home. Chaz suffers from a multitude of maladies. (Photo: Post Independent/Kara K. Pearson)A happier holiday for Chaz
Post Independent (Colorado, USA)
In October, on Friday the 13th, Jerri Israel felt as if she was stuck in a reoccurring nightmare.
Her 6-year-old son, Chaz Olson-Israel, had gone into respiratory failure. For the second time in two years, he was being airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Denver.
“It was hauntingly familiar,” said Israel, sitting in the living room of her West Glenwood home. “But this time he went in a helicopter and I couldn’t go. It was another one of those nightmares.”
Israel jumped in her car and drove to Denver while Chaz’s pediatrician, Ellen Brooks, stayed by his side during the flight.
“Ellen didn’t leave his side for six or seven hours,” Israel said.
Along with heart and lung conditions, Chaz suffers from muscular dystrophy and osteoporosis, requiring him to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair when needed. He is on oxygen full time, has a feeding tube, and cannot speak. He uses sign language to communicate.
“Any condition he gets is rare — that’s typical for Chaz,” Israel said. “The staff at Children’s call him an anomaly. The last time we stayed the night at the hospital, that’s when I learned the seriousness of everything. That’s when I knew his life wouldn’t be as long as most. It’s really hard for me to think about the future.”
Support from Chaz’s physicians, grandparents, neighbors Terri, Larry, and Jackson Wainwright, and church is vital to the Israel family — especially during the holidays.
“My mom and dad live like eight doors down, and I would not be standing if it weren’t for DJ and Emmett Zerr,” Israel said. “A huge support for me, also, is that we belong to First Presbyterian Church. When our pastor found out Chaz was in the hospital in November to have his tonsils shaved, he came down to Denver.”
Prayer has been an integral part of life in the Israel household.
“We’re open to that,” Israel said. “The power of prayer is an amazing thing. I truly believe that.”
Last year, Israel paid $30,000 in medical expenses. She’s relieved that Chaz is now on Medicaid.
“I missed a lot of work this fall — five weeks,” Israel said. “I still have my job (as a family program supervisor/therapist at the Jay Walker Lodge). My boss, Don Gargaro, has been great. I cried when I found out I got my Christmas bonus today. Santa did come.”
Another miracle on the Israel’s street came courtesy of family friend Donna Fell.
“She called my mom to see how I was doing and heard how Chaz had been in the hospital again,” Israel said. “Then she called the guy who owns the trailer park where we live and we don’t have to pay for the space for December and January.”
Fell also made the family’s holiday brighter this week with a donation of certificates for groceries and gifts from the Angel Project.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Israel said. “Now I can buy Christmas presents.” Playing with books on the coffee table, Chaz and his 5-year-old sister, Sequoia — both adopted from Cambodia — have no concept of bills and medical expenses. They don’t realize their mom was up at 6:30 a.m. and sat down for the first time at 4 p.m. before attending a holiday party later than evening.
They do know Mommy will always be there for them.
“I love you guys,” said Israel, hugging her kids as Chaz laughed when Sequoia tickled him under the arm.
Another day in the life for Chaz and his family.
— April E. Clark
Her 6-year-old son, Chaz Olson-Israel, had gone into respiratory failure. For the second time in two years, he was being airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Denver.
“It was hauntingly familiar,” said Israel, sitting in the living room of her West Glenwood home. “But this time he went in a helicopter and I couldn’t go. It was another one of those nightmares.”
Israel jumped in her car and drove to Denver while Chaz’s pediatrician, Ellen Brooks, stayed by his side during the flight.
“Ellen didn’t leave his side for six or seven hours,” Israel said.
Along with heart and lung conditions, Chaz suffers from muscular dystrophy and osteoporosis, requiring him to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair when needed. He is on oxygen full time, has a feeding tube, and cannot speak. He uses sign language to communicate.
“Any condition he gets is rare — that’s typical for Chaz,” Israel said. “The staff at Children’s call him an anomaly. The last time we stayed the night at the hospital, that’s when I learned the seriousness of everything. That’s when I knew his life wouldn’t be as long as most. It’s really hard for me to think about the future.”
Support from Chaz’s physicians, grandparents, neighbors Terri, Larry, and Jackson Wainwright, and church is vital to the Israel family — especially during the holidays.
“My mom and dad live like eight doors down, and I would not be standing if it weren’t for DJ and Emmett Zerr,” Israel said. “A huge support for me, also, is that we belong to First Presbyterian Church. When our pastor found out Chaz was in the hospital in November to have his tonsils shaved, he came down to Denver.”
Prayer has been an integral part of life in the Israel household.
“We’re open to that,” Israel said. “The power of prayer is an amazing thing. I truly believe that.”
Last year, Israel paid $30,000 in medical expenses. She’s relieved that Chaz is now on Medicaid.
“I missed a lot of work this fall — five weeks,” Israel said. “I still have my job (as a family program supervisor/therapist at the Jay Walker Lodge). My boss, Don Gargaro, has been great. I cried when I found out I got my Christmas bonus today. Santa did come.”
Another miracle on the Israel’s street came courtesy of family friend Donna Fell.
“She called my mom to see how I was doing and heard how Chaz had been in the hospital again,” Israel said. “Then she called the guy who owns the trailer park where we live and we don’t have to pay for the space for December and January.”
Fell also made the family’s holiday brighter this week with a donation of certificates for groceries and gifts from the Angel Project.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Israel said. “Now I can buy Christmas presents.” Playing with books on the coffee table, Chaz and his 5-year-old sister, Sequoia — both adopted from Cambodia — have no concept of bills and medical expenses. They don’t realize their mom was up at 6:30 a.m. and sat down for the first time at 4 p.m. before attending a holiday party later than evening.
They do know Mommy will always be there for them.
“I love you guys,” said Israel, hugging her kids as Chaz laughed when Sequoia tickled him under the arm.
Another day in the life for Chaz and his family.
— April E. Clark
2 comments:
Awwwww. That is such a moving story, that it brought tears to my eyes. I wish the Israel and her family the best of luck in the future. Bless all her friends and neighbors for supporting her family through thick and thin.
Walking on the water
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
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Healing the young girl and the woman with an issue of blood
While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
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Healing the blind men
27 ¶ And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
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