“Margaret laid my son Wahiz’s dying little body across her chest just like I would. She cradled him just like a mom and in that moment I knew I could trust her.” Nelofar

This time last Monday I was in tears hearing a story that you also need to hear. But let me start at the beginning.

Nelofar was born in Afghanistan, grew up in Pakistan and several years ago, with her husband, immigrated to Brampton to begin living the Canadian dream. Their first child, Sahail was born four years ago and after several miscarriages, their second child, Wahiz, came into this world on July of 2008. Her little family was now complete.

But there was something wrong with this soft little bundle. Too much it seemed. Doctors were puzzled. Tests were performed. Wahiz was admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children. It was at that hospital that Nelofar and her husband were given the news that not one of us should have to receive. One-month-old Wahiz had only 5 months to live. “I was so scared, I didn’t know what to do, but I knew that I just wanted to take him home and hold my little baby son for the rest of his days on this earth.”

For some time, through tears, exhaustion, fear and terrible loneliness, Wahiz’s mom and dad and big brother went back and forth every day to visit Wahiz. They needed to be with Wahiz as he lay in that hospital ward, hooked up to lots of medical equipment, bravely living his dear life. “It was so heartbreaking to see my son dying in that hospital. But I didn’t feel I could take care of him at home. I am so sorry I left Wahiz one more month in hospital.”

You see that’s when Heart House stepped in to help. “With no family in Canada, we were alone and helpless. Yet with a referral from a Doctor who is on the Board of the Heart House Hospice we were confident to bring Wahiz home to die! Thanks be to God. I had the best few months of my life, kissing him, playing with him, and just showering all my love on him. The people at Heart House Hospice helped us work out a plan, volunteers would be standing by to help provide us with everything needed so our Wahiz could die at home. When Margaret arrived from Heart House Hospice to start the relationship I was nervous. One of the symptoms of this rare disease was that Wahiz had no strength or muscle tone. This meant his little body could not stay firm. When Margaret came in that door and confidently yet carefully held Wahiz to her chest, that’s when I knew we would be in good hands.”

As I listened to Nelofar I heard that those last few weeks were not all smooth. I don’t need to go into details. I am just so thankful to the Heart House Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, 3 volunteers, Spiritual Care and Bereavement Coordinator and the whole team at Heart House that among the hundreds of clients they served last year and the thousands of loved ones they touched, one of those precious people was a little boy named Wahiz and his family. “When I was crying they cried too.”

Wahiz died on December 26, 2008 having lived 5 ½ months. He died in his mother’s arms, and in the presence of his father and brother’s love. He died at home.

“I will never forget my little angel. Although in constant pain, he was very strong. Now my life is changed and I will never be the same. I will always be thankful for the care and comfort from Margaret, Leora, Eileen, Mylene, Anna and all the wonderful people at the Heart House. We could not have lived through this without their comfort and support. Please write down this story of our family and little Wahiz. It will mean the world to me that part of Wahiz’s purpose is that others could be cared for this way.”

That’s why I needed to tell you this story. You may be wondering why another letter? It’s because there is another story and another story and another. So much so that Theresa Greer our Executive Director has just informed our Board that last year referrals for end-of-life clients in our community increased by 55% and our stretched services grew by 30%!

With this story rolling around in my heart I want to be very frank. We need faithful friends like you to give this month. You have invested in people in the past and a meaningful difference was made to their end of life experience. This month, like every month now, we received referrals for 80 new families to support!

• We need you now to give this month to something that makes so much sense for our community. Like 90% of other Canadians, when it’s your turn, you may want to die at home. You may even want this team of professional, highly trained, caring, volunteers and staff who become devoted, compassionate, supportive companions to be there for you.

Over 1000 terminally ill clients used the Heart House Hospice services this past year alone.

• $50 can help us with our interactive, age appropriate “kits for kids.”

• $100 can help sponsor volunteer visits to parents and families in need of Hospice of Peel comfort and support in the home just like we did for Wahiz and his family.

• $200 can help provide bereavement care for parents and children for one year.

“I want everyone to remember little Wahiz so his living will make a difference for others.”

Some very dear children and adults are depending on you to write that cheque, print out that Visa number or go to www.hearthousehospice.com, and click on Donate Now for an easy way to invest in compassionate care. Please give today to these dear people. They need you now.

“Please tell all the people that make up Heart House Hospice, thank you, thank you, thank you! What others could not do, Heart House did.” Nelofar

Warmly,

David Walker
Director of Resource Development,
Heart House Hospice

P.S. Please send the enclosed envelope today. It’s today the terminally ill need you!

If you would like to make a donation, click on "Donate Now".