The Citizen, 2005-09-22, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. PAGE 21.
Family expresses gratitude to community
Home now
Joshua Altman is home with family now after suffering an
intra-ventricle hemorrhage this past May. The five-month
old is considerably behind his twin brother Aaron and has
many tests and much recuperation yet before him. Also
pictured are: dad, Adam, mom Doreen and big brother A.J.
(Bonne Gropp photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Doreen and Adam Altman of
Brussels cannot express enough the
level of their gratitude.
When the couple faced a difficult
trial this past spring they were also
reminded about the goodness in
people and in community.
In April Doreen had given birth to
twin boys, Joshua and Aaron. Weeks
later, Joshua, the bigger of the two,
was rushed to the hospital in London
where they learned he had suffered
an intra-ventricle hemorrhage. His
condition resulted in a lengthy
hospitalization and personal and
financial difficulties for his family.
Following a story in The Citizen in
early June the family were the
recipients of much generosity.
Donations came in to a bank account
established in their name and
through local organizations.
“I don't know where we would be
if so many people hadn't given so
generously,” said Doreen. “We
would have lost our house.”
“We would have lost everything,”
adds Adam.
Today the picture has changed
somewhat. Joshua is now home, but
his health battles aren’t nearly over.
He is back and forth to London for
“tests, tests, tests.” says Doreen.
Adam explains that while there
has been improvement in the five-
month-old's condition it has not
been what they had hoped. “The
ventricles in his brain aren't
shrinking like they were expected to
when they put the shunt in.”
The decision has been reached
now to replace the shunt with one
that is programmable to allow more
fluid to drain. This surgery was
scheduled for this past Monday.
There are concerns about his
eyesight, though it has improved
“dramatically” over the past two
weeks, says Adam. The infant will
soon be seeing an ophthamologist to
determine if the problem is with the
eyes or with the communication
between the eyes and the brain.
Joshua’s early troubles have
slowed his development. He is not
yet strong enough to hold up his
head, and unlike his twin is nowhere
near ready to sit up on his own or
move around. “He will be having
tests until he’s about two to monitor
his development and mobility," says
Adam. “Also at around one they are
doing an angiogram because they
still haven't located the origin of the
problem.”
The family has been trying to get
government support, but as often the
case, have been stonewalled by
regulations. “We do have people
batting for us there, though.” says
Adam.
Back with his family since the end
of the July, Joshua has been
benefitting from love and personal
contact. That and perhaps a little
healthy competition from his
brother. “Aaron is advanced so much
further. He's not content to just lie
on the floor, so he’s playing for
awhile beside Joshua but then gets
bored and moves away,” says Adam.
“We have just noticed measurable
gains in Joshua's development since
he same home. We’re a little worried
that his surgery will set him back
again.*
While the plan had been for Adam
to return to work once Joshua was
out of the hospital, the stresses have
proven to be too much for Doreen
who is now suffering from
depression. “It’s just one more
hurdle.” she says.
The couple once again expresses
their thanks to the community that
has shown them such wonderful
support. “There were organizations
that didn’t want any recognition, and
of course the donations to the bank
which were anonymous. Our friend
Molly McDonald from Stratford has
been incredible, a wonderful help
and the House of Blessing has given
us on-going assistance."
Help has also come from the
Brussels Mennonitc Fellowship in
the form of volunteer help with
cleaning and babysitting has well as
some monetary support.
“We just appreciate it all so much.
There are just not enough ways for
us to say how much,” says Doreen.
The bank account at C1BC is still
open for donations should anyone
want to help. The transit number is
09652 and the account number is
0496138. /
My buddy
Joshua Altman gets some
attention from big brother A.J.
while his twin Aaron sleeps
and the two oldest siblings are
in school. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
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