Hailey's Dream

I was sitting in class today waiting for the prof to get there when my phone vibrated from a facebook post in the UNB Ultimate Frisbee Group. As I do with most facebook notifications I ignored it, and waited until I got on my computer to check to see what it was about. Turns out it was a dodgeball tournament raising money for "Hailey's Dream." I clicked on it more out of sheer desire to not do schoolwork more than anything. I wasn't even all that interested in it. Fundraisers happen all the time, especially living on campus with every house raising money for some charity or other.

I have never felt more emotion towards a family I don't even know. I was reading Hailey's story and tears were pouring down my face. She seems like such a wonderful child. Hailey was diagnosed with MLD (juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy) a ridiculously rare condition that attacks the white matter of her brain and will leave her paralyzed, blind, cause dementia and seizures and kill this child within the next 3 to 5 years. Hailey may never live to be as old as my younger brother is right now. As if a situation like this could get any worse, there is  a 1/4 chance her 3-year old brother could have this condition too.

What hit me the most was the list this precious child and her mother came up with. There are the more typical and extravagant things on there, like Go To Disney World, or Visit Hawaii, or Get a Puppy, but then there are the ones that would only come from the mouth of a child, like drive a car at the camp with Grampy, or go to a dressy event and dance with Daddy. Precious pure moments that most of us take for granted.

When I found this story, it reminded me of so many things. Life is not permanent. As quick as it was given to us, it can be taken away just as easily. Also there are people put on this earth to teach us in so many ways. This young girl and her family are a shining example of how to take the worst of a bad situation.

The final thing for me was this story reminded me why I am in school. I am here to become a doctor. I am here to help create a better future for children like Hailey, through research, or through support in any way I can. That is why I need to study anatomy and biology and math and everything else when all I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep for years and years. I NEED to get into med school because I honestly can't imagine doing anything else with my life.

Until next time,
Britt

P.s. anybody who wants to find out more about Hailey can check out her website (haileysdreams.org) or search Hailey's Dreams on facebook.