David was very eager to learn.  He loved to read and he enjoyed books about owls, whales and dolphins.  He was always
telling me information that I did not know.  He was never afraid to attempt anything and when I would suggest doing a new
activity, his response would always be,  “Well, I’ll try.”

 Shortly after I started working with David, he was put on Lorenzo’s Oil and a low fat diet.  We had lengthy discussions about
all the foods he could no longer eat and it was difficult for David on ”special lunch days” at school to watch the other kids
having pizza and Kentucky fried Chicken (his favorite) when he couldn't , but he seldom complained.  He always justified it by
saying, “that's really high in fat!”

 David and I would play basketball in the school yard while the Grade 3 class was having Phys Ed and he loved this time
outside.  We would shoot hoops and throw the ball and even though he was having some trouble with co-ordination, he always
put forth his best effort and we really enjoyed ourselves.

 David was very fortunate to have a wonderful, kind, caring group of children in his class.  When they found out about his
disease, they were all very concerned and everyone offered to help David whenever he needed it.  He was always included in
everything that went on in the classroom.  One of David's good friends Robert, was always able to make David laugh.  They
had an inside joke about “Old Geezer” and whenever Robert said those words, David would be beside himself with laughter.

 When David returned to Grade 4 in September of 1998, I could see a real change in his condition.  His gait was very unsteady
and he would frequently fall when we were walking in the hall.  I started to walk with him holding on to one hand, then two and
by the end of October, he  was in a wheelchair.  His health was deteriorating so fast and soon he was requiring full care.  It was
more difficult for him to be involved in school routines and we spent many hours at the computer and on the couch in Mrs.
Folkard’s room reading books, playing games and just talking.  Every day, two of David's classmates would volunteer to stay
in at recess and read to him or play hockey in the gym.  Even though David had to sit on a chair to play, he really enjoyed that
part of the day.

 I did physiotherapy on David daily and he was quickly losing his flexibility and range of motion.  It was a very difficult time for
me to watch this disease progress so rapidly, because David had become a very important part of my life.  He was like one of
my own children.

 The highlight of the fall of 1998 for David was his trip to Chicago to see his favorite hockey player – Doug Gilmour.  He was
so excited about the trip and had a wonderful time.  He returned with many souvenirs  which he brought to school to show the
class.  He was so happy at that time.

 At the Christmas concert that year, he was the “Star of David” in the Grade 4 play and Bryan, one of his classmates and good
friends, pushed him to the front of the auditorium in his wheelchair.  He was so happy and proud to be part of that activity.  He
was full of smiles that day.  His mother, Karen, was at the school to video the concert and I am very lucky to have that special
moment on tape.  I was always in awe of how well Karen functioned under such a stressful situation and I admire her very
much for her strength and optimism.  I also met some amazing, caring people that were all positive influences in David's short
life.

 By the end of December 1998, David was dependent on me for all his basic needs and in January of 1999, he was admitted to
the hospital.  I would visit him almost every day after school and the Grade 4 class would make cards and pictures for him 
which decorated his hospital room.  It was so hard for me to see this kind, sensitive, caring little boy lying in a hospital bed and
not being able to take away his pain and suffering.

 When I think back on my time with David, I am not sure who was teaching whom.  He showed me patience, tolerance,
persistence and sensitivity.  I remember when my daughter was having a difficult time with exams at university and I was telling
David about it and he looked at me and said, “Why donut you buy her a rose?”  I was so amazed at his response!  How would
a nine year old boy ever think of that?  He was wise beyond his years.

 I feel very fortunate to have known David and I feel I am a better person because of it.  I truly miss him and think of him often. 
It is an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world.  He was a very special person.

 Written by

Brenda Werth (David's Educational Assistant)
 
 

David was truly fortunate in having Brenda part of his life.  Her gentle nature and caring ways were truly evident in David's
care.  I feel very blessed that David had so many wise and caring people in his life. 

by Tammy Thynne
 

I met David in November l999.   When I met David , I was told he had Adrenoleukodystropy, but I didn't quite understand what it meant.  My supervisor asked me if I had ever seen the movie Lorenzo's Oil and was then told David had the same thing.  Well I had seen the movie  before but watched it for a refresher.  The boy in that movie seemed to live a long time.  And so did the boys  at the end of the movie - David's time came and went before I knew what was happening.

When I met David, he was still able to speak a few words (mom, no, yes), he was walking with assistance, was able to still eat pureed food, he could smile and laugh and cry.  Even though I didn't know a lot about the active energetic David,  I could still tell what kind of boy he was.  I was told  how much he liked hockey and owls and whales,  whenever you talked to him about these things he would smile and listen.  David was still at home when I met him.  It was a great way to get to know him, how laid back a boy he was.  He never really asked for much attention, just wanted to be a part of everything.

I remember there were times when David would cry in frustration and pain and I would hold him on his bed and read him his hockey books or a Robert Munsch story.  He loved to hear the Robert Muncsh stories - I'll never forget the time David's friend Adam read the book "I have to go pee".  and David laughed and laughed.  He had such a straight from the belly laugh.

Having David at home and different nurses and helpers coming in and out of the home seemed like such a strain on the whole family.  I just wanted to help as much as I could and make David happy and comfortable while I was there.  Karen called me one day in the beginning of January and said David wasn't doing well and she wanted to know if I would help take him to Emergency.  We were there for about 1 ½ hours and I remember David crying out most of the time and there was nothing I could do for him.  I think that was the hardest part of the times I spent with David, was listening to him cry, knowing there was nothing I could do to ease the pain.  Karen and I took David home that night and I remember holding him in his bed reading him his hockey book  until he calmed down.  I think that was the night   that brought me so close to this little boy.

It was about 1 ½ weeks later Karen called me and said she had taken David up to the hospital that day and they admitted him.  I stayed with David for a few hour,  joking with him, trying to make him comfortable while his Mom went home for awhile.  We joked about how he'd only be there for a couple of days and then he'd go home again .  Little did I know he'd never be going home again.

There were days that he would cry and cry and it would be hard for me to leave him to go to work at 9 am  As soon as I was done work I would go to the hospital to check on him, then I would come back later that night to read some more stories and say goodnight.  There were  nights I left there in tears because it was hard to watch this thin little boy be so sick and all I could do was comfort and reassure him.
David and I had a strong bond together.  He was my bud and he knew it.  I knew I was important to him by the way he would look at me.  He couldn't say anything , but, he could look into your eyes to show how much he cared.  I didn't know much about David before so for him to express himself as much as he did during the year I knew him was  touching.  I could see that he was a smart, intellectual boy.  That he was carefree and didn't complain much unless he was in pain.

David had some real ups and downs in his last year.  Some days he would cry for hours he was in so much pain.  I believe some cries were a frustration cry.  It's funny how you recognize some people's cries.  A few times I left David I wasn't sure he would make it through, but every time I had that scare he would bounce back again from whatever was bothering him.

Then there was the last day I saw David alive.  I saw him that morning before work as usual.  Then I came in again around 1pm and he didn't look too good.  I stayed for a few hours to keep him company.  I came back up around 8pm and had a gut feeling something was wrong.  But I thought to myself.  He'll bounce back, he always does.  So I later said goodnight and went home.  I was out with some friends on that Thursday night, Dec 16 when I got the call on my cell phone and I just knew what it was , I was devastated.  I just wanted to rush back to be with him and hold him and say good bye.  He looked so peaceful when I got there.  I held his hand and just talked to him.  There was no more suffering.  And our good byes were said.  The days that followed were hard.  My routine of going to the hospital to hang out with my bud were all of a sudden gone.

I had grown very close to this boy and his family.  I was honored when they asked me to stand with the family at the funeral and to be a pallbearer.  I still wear my angel,  David's family gave me in honor of him.

My memories of David will always be with me.  It was a happy, sad, emotional frustrating year that I spent with David, but  had one of the greatest friendships I've ever had.  I think about him always.  I find certain holidays can be hard and bring back tears, remembering  a 10 yr old  boy , my friend, life has ended.  But I still have a great friendship with his family and plan to keep this friendship for a long time.  It has been a healing process for both David's Mom and myself to keep in touch and talk about David.  I am grateful to her for that.
 
 

Tammy was my right hand Mom.  She filled in when I couldn't be there at the hospital.  Her tender loving ways, gentleness with David was amazing.  The night David passed away ……Tammy was there.  We slowly took  David's memorabilia and pictures down, we worked,  we talked,  we would go and sit with David and cry, we did this for a couple of hours…..we just were not ready to leave.  Tammy will always be a special part of my family.  You are a very special person Tammy - it is a privilege to have you part of our lives.    Karen