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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-06-09, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2005. Stratford woman seeks help for local family Little Aaron Altman, left, visits his twin brother Joshua, a patient in London hospital. Joshua, whose parents Adam and Doreen live in Brussels, suffered an intra-ventricle hemorrhage on Mother’s Day at the age of two weeks. (Photo submitted) Together again By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor in to in territory,” said their reason for If Adam and Doreen Altman ever needed the support of a good friend it’s now. And they have one Molly McDonald. The Altmans moved Brussels from Stratford July of 2004 with their three children. “This is supposed to be the centre of my husband’s business Doreen of choosing Brussels. Adam works as a tax rep for a farm business consultant London. The young couple was equally exci’ed to be owning their own home. Then in November, they learned that they were expecting. “It was a bit of a surprise,” says Doreen, one I that doubled in size when an ultra-sound revealed she was carrying twins. It was a wonderful pregnancy marred only, she laughs, by being twice as uncomfortable. Unusually for twins, the pregnancy went to 38 weeks and doctors decided to induce labour. The average term length for twins is 32-35 weeks. On April 22, Doreen gave birth to two healthy boys, Joshua, sevenpounds, ounces and Aaron, pounds, nine ounces. There was nothing to hint at the turn things would take just two weeks later. Doreen explains that it was 6:30 a.m. on Mother’s Day when Aaron woke, crying to be fed. “Joshua kept sleeping and my husband asked if he should six six wake him. I said yes and fed him, then put them back down. They both started crying so we burped them, then I tried to feed Joshua more. He fought me. He didn’t want to eat, so I gave him to my husband and I fed Aaron.” Joshua kept crying the entire time she said and when she looked at him again he was “white as a ghost and pulling his head back, arching his neck. His eyes were wild. 1 knew something was really wrong.” Joshua was rushed to the hospital in London. There, “he kept arching his neck and was seizuring”. After a consultation with a FUELING THE FUTURE Two Canadians, Andrew Heintzman and Evan Solomon pull together articles from some of the world’s top commentators on the energy situation and “how the battle over energy is changing everything.” $37.95 A TEACHER OUT STANDING IN HIS FIELD Brussels native Clem Steffler has created a memoir of his years as a teacher, from his first one-room school house at Browntown through his travels. $19.95 pediatrician in London Joshua was transferred. A cat scan revealed that the infant had suffered an intra-ventricle hemorrhage, an acquired form of hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles. It occurs when small blood vessels along the ventricular lining rupture. The blood may block or scar the ventricles or plug the arachnoid ville, the main route by which CSF gains access to the blood. Joshua’s condition most frequently affects premature newborns. Or it may be the result of a malformation within the brain from a tumour lying near the ventricles or from injury to the brain. “They kept asking me if I had shaken him or dropped him. I told them. ‘No. just please find out what’s wrong with my baby.’” To relieve the pressure they had to drain fluid. A clot was blocking the drainage. As of Wednesday afternoon doctors have now put in an external drain. He is on a respirator and is being fed intravenously. At this point Joshua’s long­ term prognosis is unknown. “They are hoping the clot will dissolve but at this moment they don’t know what other problems he may have. They have mentioned brain damage and blindness.” “But, he’s been fighting so hard,” says McDonald, who became friends with the Altmans when she lived in the same Stratford complex. “Well, that’s what his name means,” said Doreen. “The warrior.” And it sounds like the fight could be a long one. It’s anticipated that Joshua will be in the hospital up to five months, possibly longer. When the Altmans first discovered they were having twins, Adam decided to take paternity leave to help out with their rapidly growing family. “I was a stay-at-home mom, but his work slows down quite a bit in the summer and he wanted to be home with me and the kids.” The move has proven to be both fortuitous and a burden. With Adam home, the couple has not had to rely on sitters to stay with their other children while also being with Joshua. “One of us stays here and one goes to London. We stay at the Ronald McDonald House and work out each time for how long the stretch will be.” However, with no income coming in; UI benefits won’t arrive for several weeks; the family is finding itself in a tight bind. Between travel expenses to and from the hospital in a car that’s seen better days, paying for meals in London, and the continuing costs of raising a young family and having the upkeep of a home, funds are running out. “I knew things were going to have to be cautious before all this happened,” said McDonald. “That’s why I want to do something.” To that end she has been exhaustively seeking support and ways for others to help if they choose. A drop box is being set up in the front of the Brussels Foodland. As well an account has been established at the CIBC branch for monetary donations. It can be accessed for deposits from any CIBC using the transit number 09652. The account number is 0496138. She is still trying to find some way to help with their vehicle problems. Altman is already overwhelmed by support they as some of the province's mansions including Brucefield Castle and MacDermott’s Castle, Goderich. $19.95 CASTLES AND KINGS Ron Brown who has explored so much of Ontario with his Ghost Towns and books looks Missing Joshua Doreen Altman with Aaron is torn between home and hospital these days as Aaron’s twin brother Joshua suffered an intra-ventricle hemorrhage and is being treated in London. Altman and her husband Adam also have three other children. (Bonnie Gropp photo) have received. Congregants from Brussels Mennonite Fellowship have assisted the family in a variety of ways including helping with household chores. “Can you say how much we appreciate that? Can you let people know they’ve helped us?” Doreen asked. “The thing is there is going to be no benefits coming for this family for four to six weeks. They are having a tough time and I just wanted people to know,” said McDonald. “You can’t help if you’re not aware.” Are Drugs or Alcohol Affecting Your Life? We can help. If you are concerned about your own, or someone else's. use of alcohol or drugs, the Drug and Alcohol TYeatment Infoline (DART) can guide you to the help you need. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-565-8603 or visit, our website at www.dart.on.ca DAVE’S STALLSIDE MANNER Dr. David Perrin follows up his successful Don’t Turn Your Back in the Barn with another collection of stories on topics from neurotic telephone talking dogs to a hilarious tryst between a star crossed mare and a wayward stallion. S23.95 DOWNTOWN ONTARIO: Unusual Main Streets to Explore Ron Brown, author of the Ghost Town books, looks at main streets across the province including Emo, Goderich, Neustadt, Palmerston, St. Marys and Wroxeter. $22.95 BUILDING A BIRCHBARK CANOE David Gidmark shares the lessons he learned from the Algonquins in the ancient craft of birchbark canoe building. The book contains copeous illustrations of how to do the work. $19.95 Check out these and other great books perfect for Dad! ©Ontario 404 Queen St., Blyth 523-4792 The Citizen 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 887-9114 r£ -----------—