Monday, February 22, 2010

Opening eyes in the community

Valicia and Carl Starks told Sam and I that one of the reasons they wanted to share their story was to let the world know about the impact of sickle cell disease. They also said they hoped their story could help others by providing some insight and perhaps saving another family grief and pain.

An e-mail sent to me after the story ran Sunday showed that the family's story struck a chord in the community, just as they hoped it would. Helen Harrah of Mt. Washington wrote (and I share with her permission):

I just finished reading the articles about sickle cell anemia in the Courier this morning. What an awesome job! I sat with tears streaming down my face as I read them and realized I never knew much of anything about this horrible disease. You opened my eyes to this and I appreciate it. I hope you win some type of literary award for this group of articles but if not, you have made many of us understand what families facing this go through each day. For this, I thank you. Congratulations and I look forward to more of the same.

Although I'm grateful for Helen's praise, I think the credit belongs with the Starks family for bravely sharing what they are going through at one of the most painful times in their lives.

Other readers have also contacted me, a few to offer donations. One reader, for example, said she wanted to give something to help pay for a headstone for Carl and Valicia's daughter Dominique, who died at 17 from the same disease that is now taking her brother Terrell's life. Valicia said she'd like to set up some sort of foundation or fund, but she hasn't yet established one.

As for me, seeing such an outpouring of empathy from the community I call home reminds me that I chose a good and caring place to raise my two children.