Kinsmen demonstrate sharing and caring

COTTLESVILLE -

As if one medical condition were not enough, nine-year-old Mitchell Brake of Cottlesville is coping with two.

Since birth, Mitchell has had the debilitating condition of cystic fibrosis coupled with biliary atresia - a condition where no bile duct is present to help excrete bile from the liver to the small intestine. Both conditions require considerable attention by his parents Betsy and Derman Brake who are faced as well with considerable medical expenses as MCP does not cover the recurring costs. However, they have good friends in the Kinsmen Club of Bridgeport and Area who not only have empathy for the family but are doing something about it.

On Nov. 3 Christmas came early for the Brake family with the visit by four Kinsmen members with a cheque for $1,500.

Kin president Robert Noel explained that the gift covered the cost of a new compressor that Mitchell uses some two-three times per day in helping him clear his lungs and breathe better as well as payment for three months of medical supplies. The compressor, a Pulmo Aide, is a new type that has a five-year warranty (as compared with the one they had which had a three-year warranty). Ms. Brake informed that Mitchell uses the compressor at least twice per day and if any signs of flu or cold symptoms are apparent then it will be three times - or more.

"Every day he spends some two-three hours on the mask," she advised, "but he doesn't seem to mind too much and we accept it as a regular routine. What else can we do?"

Coupled with the CF problem is the fact that Mitchell was born without a bile duct from his liver. The bile produced by the liver is very important in the digestion process. The inability to have bile transferred to the intestine means that careful attention must be kept especially to his physical activities because extensive damage to the liver can occur. Consequently Mitchell has to travel to the Janeway every six weeks for examination and investigative treatment.

Meanwhile, the Kinsmen with just 13 in membership continue to be the good Samaritans that they have proven to be over the years. And now they can lay claim to being Santa as well!