THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409210141
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
LIBERTY SPRING CHRISTIAN Church will celebrate Madison Day on Sunday to honor 6-year-old Madison McCaleb and to raise funds for a $2,940 wheelchair lift for her family's van.
Special recognition will be given to ``Maddie'' in the morning worship service and, following a pot luck dinner, the pastor and church family will dedicate Maddie's new chair lift.
Madison was born in 1988 with multiple birth defects, a condition known as holoprosencephaly, where the right and left spheres of the brain are fused. At birth she was given a life expectancy of six months. Now, at 6, she continues to baffle her doctors with her dauntless spirit and zest for life.
Maddie's mother, Wendy Short, describes her daughter as ``an angel.'' Maddie can't speak a word or give you a hug or wave goodbye. But her smile and attitude are an inspiration.
``She really thinks she's a princess because of all the attention she gets,'' her mother said. ``And she never complains. She's happy all the time.''
Although Maddie cannot communicate verbally, she's mentally keen and understands what's going on around her.
``She laughs and cries and giggles just like other 6-year-olds,'' her mother explained. ``She's a very social child and likes to constantly be involved.''
Maddie loves her time in the classes for severely handicapped students at Booker T. Washington School. And she enjoys watching TV and movies. Barney and Walt Disney videos are her favorites.
Last year, Madison went to Disney World with her family and nurse as guests of the National Make-A-Wish Foundation. While in Florida, they lived in Kids Village and toured the Magic Kingdom.
``That was a week of heaven for Madison,'' her mother said.
But life is not always easy at the Short household. Daniel Short, Maddie's stepfather, is president of Automotive Equipment Co. Inc., and Wendy helps out with the business whenever she can. But with two other children, 9 and 2, time is at a premium.
Madison's condition alone requires around-the-clock attention. There's respiratory and physical therapy daily, five medications to be administered, tube feedings and a one-hour chest treatment that has to be given every three hours. There is always the threat of infection, particularly pneumonia. In fact, she contracted double pneumonia about two weeks ago. And there are lengthy hospitalizations when infection sets in, Wendy Short says.
Maddie's last hospitalization lasted 32 days and cost $72,000.
Maddie's family has received help from insurance coverage, local EdMarc hospice workers and a full-time nurse. But nursing care has been discontinued, and Wendy Short now carries the major responsibility for Madison's care.
That's one reason Liberty Spring Christian Church has stepped in to help.
``They've become like a second family to us,'' Wendy said. ``They've shown us real Christian love in so many ways.''
The Shorts said they began attending Liberty Spring about eight months ago because of its accessible facilities and its friendliness. ``It's where we felt really welcomed,'' Wendy said.
``Volunteers have brought dinner and groceries,'' Wendy said, ``and one lady even took Drew home with her for the whole day.'' He is the Shorts' 2-year-old son.
The Rev. Ken Pepper, Liberty Spring pastor, is excited about Madison Day and the blessings a wheelchair lift will be for the entire family. While Madison weighs only 40 pounds, it's becoming increasingly difficult for family members to lift her into their van and strap her into a car seat. A chair lift will solve that problem and give Madison and her family easier mobility.
``These are very nice people with a real love for the Lord,'' Pepper said. And Liberty Spring's pastor and church family are anxious to express their love and concern in a tangible way through Madison Day, Pepper said. Even the children's Sunday School classes are collecting jars of coins toward the cost of the lift.
More than $910 has already been collected, and Liberty Spring members hope to reach their $2,940 goal Sunday. MEMO: For more information about Madison Day, call the Liberty Spring Church
office at 986-4403. Donations may be marked Madison Day and mailed to
the church at 4213 Whaleyville Blvd., Suffolk.
ILLUSTRATION: Madison, sharing a laugh with sister Rachel, will have a special
day Sunday.
by CNB