| 2007 has been a very hard year so far in the heavy toll it has taken on families whose children had juvenile Huntington’s Disease (jHD). These are the families known to me. Undoubtedly, others have also lost their beloved children. ********************************************************************** |
| Michael Robertson and Bobby McWhirter |
 |
| Bobby (left) and Michael |
| On the 12th January, Michael Robertson passed away peacefully aged 18. Three months later, on 22nd April, Michael’s close friend Bobby McWhirter died aged only 15. Michael and Bobby met not long after Michael’s diagnosis in 2000. Gordon Robertson, Michael’s dad, described their friendship in his tribute to Bobby: “Straight away there was a connection, I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but these two young boys instantly clicked. Bobby and Michael were at similar stages of jHD. They were to walk through the disease arm in arm.” Links for further information: The Long Journey Home A Tribute To Wee Bobby McWhirter Gordon gave Michael’s much treasured Glasgow Rangers tie to his good friend Jim Pollard – a larger than life character well known for his HD presentations both in America and the UK. Although Jim has lost a considerable amount of weight since I saw him in 2005 (see September 2005: On The Road To Manchester), I have no doubt that his character has not been diminished! |
 |
 |
| Gordon & Jim – September 2005 |
| Jim wearing Michael’s tie – 2007 |
| ********************************************************************** |
| Heather Stice |
 |
 |
| 2000 |
| 2007 |
| On 21st February, Ash Wednesday, Heather Stice passed away peacefully at home aged 21. Her parents, Lucy and Joel Kirkby, have posted a beautiful tribute to Heather on YouTube: Heather Stice, Heavenly Dancer, which I’ve also included on Page 8 of this web site so you may already have viewed it. Lucy recently shared the following amazing experience with me: On 21st April, exactly two months after Heather’s passing, Lucy was out running errands. On returning to her vehicle, there was a family getting out of their van parked alongside. The mother lifted her handicapped daughter out of the van into a large stroller. While doing so, she dropped things and Lucy helped her pick them up. While the mother continued getting organised, Lucy asked Joel if it would be wrong to ask the family if they needed a wheelchair. She had previously said that she’d like to donate Heather’s wheelchair to a girl named Heather whose favourite colour is purple like her own daughter, and they’d both felt it would be a miracle to find such a child. Amazingly, the girl they’d just encountered was called Heather and her favourite colour is purple! The family subsequently accepted the donation of Heather’s $10,000 purple wheelchair already monogrammed with the name Heather on the seat. Miracles do happen and Lucy is convinced that her angel daughter made this one happen. I don’t doubt that she did as the odds of such an event happening by chance must be astronomical. *********************************************************************** |
| Angela Hendrix |
 |
| On 11th April, Angela Hendrix passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, aged 28. Angie’s mother Kelly is a moderator at the Huntington’s Disease Support Club and has been there so often for others despite the demands of her role as caregiver to Angie, mother to Kenny and Erik, and second mother to Angie’s son Drew. Angie collected angel figurines which she adored showing to visitors. She is now a beautiful angel among those mentioned here and the many other jHD angels who are now at peace. *********************************************************************** |
| Marc Boomer |
 |
| Marc and his mum Angela |
| On 18th May, exactly one week after his 24th birthday, Marc died peacefully surrounded by his family. He’d insisted himself that he wanted to live in a nursing home full-time when he was 20, and spent the last four years of his life in a Sue Ryder Care Home. Marc had his wish of going to Disney World in America come true and subsequently did a sponsored bike ride for the Make A Wish charity as a “thank you”. I had the privilege of sharing his 18th birthday party with him and his family and will always treasure fond memories. ********************************************************************** |
 |
| Want to see more? Page 11 |
| © Sue Wright 2004 -2012 |
| Page 10 |