a very young volunteer in the CF world

January 10, 2004

My godson, of a different religion and ethnicity from my own, but as

dear as any of my grandchildren to me, has been very interested in

helping those of any age with coping with cystic fibrosis, especially

in research. He has even volunteered for an EBCT scan of the lungs,

that is, Electron Beam Computerized Tomography. This is done by

breathing through each airway and that is scanned. It is a difficult

and somewhat scary test, and I thought that he was very brave to

volunteer when non-cystic fibrosis persons (and non-carriers) were

needed at a university center.

Yesterday, he telephoned me to explain about his assignment in school, and to

read his essay on what the " I Have a Dream " speech

by Dr. Luther King, Jr. meant to him. He read me the whole

thing over the phone, and then sent me his corrected and spell-

checked copy. It was very moving. He is ten years old and in the

7th grade!

I have no way to really honor him for the many things he has done

for children with cystic fibrosis, such as obtaining and donating

toys, and visiting them and reading to them and just listening to

them--with their parents' permission, of course.

He lives far away in another state and said that he thought that it was

" alright " for me to tell about him on a list for cf adults and families,

but did not want his name mentioned--just his age and year in school!

As he read what Dr. King's speech meant to him, I thought that he him

self was living out that dream in so many ways, and I am just so proud

of him, that I could not resist telling you all about him--after all--I did not

rear him, nor either of his parents! He is a wonder.

As for me, I guess I would have a bit of learning to do should anything

happen to his parents--he is Baptist and I am Sephardic Jewish--but

I guess I have already started; when I visit there, I go to church with

him and when he visits here, we go to his church denomination here.

The point is, that we do not have the same tradition of " godparents "

in my ethnicity nor religion, so it is a bit odd for his parents to have

so generously chosen me, and, of course, it is a tremendous honor.

I hope that you have not minded the verbosity here--I just cannot stop

when I talk about his generosity to us.

Thank you for " listening! "

n Rojas

Recommended Posts