DEL.ICIO.USStudents build warm gift with their stories
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Eleven-year-old Jack Lindley hopes to find video games and jeans under the Christmas tree. But the presents Santa brings probably won’t compare to the gift the fifth-grader gave to a 4-month-old girl born with a severe stomach disorder.
With the sewing help of teacher Becky DeLass, Jack’s class at Garrison Mill Elementary in Marietta created a colorful quilt as a class project. Each student donated a square for the quilt, and each square has a story and personality of its own.
Shane Blatt/sblatt@ajc.com
Shaunise Collins holds her daughter, 4-month-old Maleah.
Shane Blatt/sblatt@ajc.com
A Cobb County fifth-grade class donated squares to be made into this quilt for 4-month-old Maleah Collins. Maleah suffers from short bowel syndrome, a disorder causing an obstruction in the bowels.
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Jack picked his No. 25 jersey from his rookie season playing tackle football. Claire Moreau selected her old pajama pants, with frogs wearing sunglasses. Claire Jones’s square comes from the first onesie she ever wore. And Connor Wolfe’s square is filled with memories from his brother’s battle with cancer.
Jack was on hand when the quilt was presented to the Collins family — parents Mario and Shaunise and baby Maleah — at their Lawrenceville home Tuesday.
“Just seeing the parents’ faces and the baby, I just felt so happy for them,” Jack said.
Little Maleah was born Aug. 20 with short gut syndrome, a disorder that affects the small intestine.
Maleah, who spent her first three months in the hospital, has undergone two surgeries and is fed through a tube attached to her chubby cheek. She faces another procedure, possibly as soon as next month.
DeLass and her classes have made nine quilts over the years for newborns, but this was the first time she was able to see a quilt presented to a family.
DeLass normally donates the quilts to a hospital and their staff selects the recipient.
This year, she knew.
Jack’s dad, Doug Lindley, knew of the Collins family’s situation, and thought they would be the perfect recipients for the quilt. Lindley works for Interim Healthcare of Atlanta, which provides in-home care for sick children.
“They’re in for a long road, but they’ve got a lot of support,” said DeLass, who plans to stay in touch with the Collins family.
Shaunise Collins appreciates the quilt, and the stories that come with it. The 26-year-old plans to display the patchwork on the wall in her daughter’s room.
More importantly, the Collins are elated to have their daughter home in time for the holidays.
“She’s our big ole’ Christmas gift,” Shaunise Collins said.