Family Receives Christmas Miracle Through Generosity Of Others
Last updated Saturday, December 22, 2007 9:14 PM CST in News
By Melissa Sherman
THE MORNING NEWS
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ROGERS -- One woman's Christmas wish this year became a miracle.
Trinity Smith simply asked for help repairing some issues with her van. Minor issues such as a broken motor for the window which Smith covered with duct tape to keep out the weather.
Smith and her two daughters live in Springdale and spend countless hours in their van driving to and from Little Rock or Houston.
Smith's eldest daughter, Alyzabeth, 4, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome this year and has several doctor appointments at Arkansas Children's Hospital for treatment of seizures and work on strengthening her muscles.
The breeze and sound the open window created irritated Alyzabeth on the long car rides, Smith said. Her biggest Christmas wish was to just make Alyzabeth comfortable.
The broken window was just one minor issue Katrena Pianalto, executive director of Friends House, a senior day center in Rogers, wanted to correct.
It wasn't just the jammed window that plagued the car. Alyzabeth's wheelchair had broken the back window's seal. The vehicle's transmission leaked and the right rear turn signal cover was missing.
It became Pianalto's mission to get Smith's vehicle fixed before Christmas. She spent hours on the phone calling local businesses requesting donations or help to repair Smith's van.
Both women's prayers were answered through the donations of several businesses and residents.
Lewis Auto Group and Steve Smith Country discounted and donated time and labor to repair the vehicle. The Meadow's Assisted Living Facility gifted Smith and her daughters with new clothes and toys at a reception in their honor.
The remaining bills for the vehicle were covered by private donations. Vermille Bonafontti with Salvation Army of Benton County also helped put Smith's daughters on the Angel Tree list.
"I'm overwhelmingly blessed," Smith said, adding she couldn't believe everyone who pitched in to help.
"I don't even think there's words to say how much I feel," Smith said.
Smith isn't the kind of woman to let one know she needs help, Pianalto said. If there's not enough food in the pantry Smith will just say they'll get by.
Friends House each year picks two to four service projects and Smith's request seemed easy enough.
"Like so many, couldn't see the forest for the trees," Pianalto said, of choosing Smith as this winter's service project.
Smith came into Pianalto's life roughly 16 years ago, when she was a mentor for the young Smith.
"All this time I felt like I let her down during the mentor program," Pianalto said, holding back tears.
"She came into the world kicking and screaming," Pianato reflected on meeting Smith for the first time years ago. "She didn't have someone to guide her."
Years later, Smith had a family and relocated to Northwest Arkansas from Truman and back into Pianalto's life.
"I feel like there's always somebody that needs a helping hand," Pianalto said, adding everyone has a surplus of time, money or food in their cabinet they could donate to someone else in need.
Alyzabeth and Nevaeh, 1, Smith's youngest daughter, attend Kids First day care in Lowell from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. most days of the week.
The short stay at day care allows Smith to catch up on laundry or take a bath, she said. Smith is unable to afford a nurse to help with Alyzabeth or work a full-time job because of the time restraints.
Every day Smith carries her daughters, Alyzabeth's wheelchair and any other items up and down their apartment stairs. Smith is on the waiting list at her complex to move her family to a ground-level apartment.
Rett Syndrome is similar to the effects of autism, Smith said. Alyzabeth is "a smart girl but is trapped inside herself," unable to express herself.
There's only a handful of children in Northwest Arkansas diagnosed with the disorder, Smith said.
When the three aren't traveling to doctor appointments they enjoy swimming, reading, singing or looking at the Christmas lights.
AT A GLANCE
What is Rett Syndrome?
Rett Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder which shows its effects in infancy to early childhood. It's almost exclusively seen in females and occurs rarely in boys. The severe handicap is the inability to perform motor movements, such as eye gazes, walking or smiling. Children diagnosed with the syndrome are at a higher risk of life-threatening events such as pneumonia, choking or seizures. Life expectancy though is generally a normal long life.
Source: International Rett Syndrome Association
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