How a little love can lighten someone else’s load
You never know who might need it today
Racing down a hill I travel daily, not realizing that my car was going almost as fast as my mind, I caught sight of police lights in my rearview mirror. What?! Not a ticket! Could my day get any worse?
That was the day we were told that my 9-year-old “sweet pea” had the Fabry disease gene mutation. I was driving the short distance from my house to the church — my safe place — where I could unload my burdens and lay bare my heart. As I went, my mind was exploding with questions and emotions. I knew that Fabry disease had been a possibility, but I’d hoped and prayed Sweet Pea would be spared.
Earlier that summer of 2019, my family’s world was rocked with the news that my teenage twin sons, Michael and Anthony, had Fabry disease. I can reflect on those first months of our Fabry journey and remember many ups and downs. Some days, I was the strong mama, researching, pep-talking, smiling, and giving hope. But other days, the long hours of appointments with specialists, genetic counseling, and conversations with medical insurance providers left me feeling weak and spent.
The kindness of a stranger
The day the cop pulled me over for speeding, I was weak. After coming to terms with the fact that my two sons had inherited a lifelong disease from me, the next hurdle was getting genetic testing for our family members. Thankfully, our first round of tests proved that I was the first in my family line to have the disease. This meant that my sisters and their large families had been spared through a rare version of mosaicism. The second step was testing my other three children.
We hoped for good news as we waited for the kids’ results. Michael and Anthony had been experiencing manifold symptoms before they were diagnosed, and none of my other kids had symptoms at all. So it seemed reasonable to assume they were not recipients of the mutated gene.
The bad news about my little girl was an unwanted surprise. It felt like ripping off a scab and reopening a wound. A whole new wave of sorrow came crashing upon me. So there I was speeding to church, and I got caught. The young officer approached my window, and keeping my composure, I politely answered his questions and admitted I hadn’t been watching my speed. As he returned to his vehicle to print the ticket, I couldn’t hold the tears back.
I knew I should’ve been paying attention, but I was consumed with thoughts of another Fabry diagnosis for someone I fiercely loved. Now I was having insult added to injury with a heavy fine on top of my heavy heart.
When the officer came to the window holding my ticket, he saw my tear-soaked face and asked if I was OK. “It’s not your fault,” I whimpered. “I just found out that my little girl has a rare disease.” At that point, he softened, asked a few more questions, and said, “I’m not giving you this ticket, and I am sorry for your little girl. I’ll keep your family in my prayers.”
Today is National Love People Day, which prompted me to tell this story of a stranger who seized an opportunity to lift someone else up. He could’ve just done his job and been on his way, but instead, he showed me kindness that I won’t forget.
Let’s go out and love people today in a way they won’t forget.
Note: Fabry Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fabry Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Fabry disease.
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