Little Haley Ann Chapin has lived her entire seven years of life in the Easley Area. Many folks recognize the bubbly little blue eyed blonde being pushed in her tiny wheel chair or on a good day, motoring along in her little walker. In area restaurants, grocery stores, Drs offices, etc, Haley is on first name basis with dozens in the community. This past Christmas there were church groups and individuals that made sure Haley and nine year old sister Brianna, along with Mom, experienced a blessed holiday. The Ruth Sunday School Class from Rock Springs Baptist Church held a party for the little family and showered the girls with gifts. Typical Haley response was to announce at the end of the party, as she struggled to stand erect with Mom help, "I thank each lady, I love each lady and God loves you too. Now everybody has to Let me hug them".
This kind of gratitude and joyful outlook on life is missing in far too many of us these days because this is a tough world we live in. Every one of us struggles each day with both the small and the large complications of life. But most of us can wake up each morning and get out of bed and go about our business unassisted. Most of us visit the medical facilities infrequently, and are by and large free from constant pain. Not so with Haley. Since the age of 18 months when she began to exhibit symptoms, there has been an ever increasing progression of muscular problems. She has
spastic palegia, a form of
dystonia, heart and kidney problems only to mention some of the complications of a condition that numerous Doctors from several different states and hospitals have been unable to give a exact name too. Name a type of medical specialty and Haley has seen them. Name any painful, invasive diagnostic procedure and she probably has had it. Through all of this, her personality is outgoing, mischievous, happy, compassionate of others and loving. How can that be? She will tell you that Jesus lives in her heart and keeps her happy. You cannot help but love her, even on a day she's a little tired and cranky.
This past weekend was one of the most difficult Haley and the family have ever faced. On Friday, Haley underwent a seven hour heart procedure in Charleston. The haleysheart.org blog so lovingly designed by family friend, Lynn James, was updated throughout the day. Friends and family all over the country were praying and Doctors discovered her problem was more complicated than originally thought and the afffected area was the actual center of the heart. They believe that most of the problem has been corrected, but can't not guarantee this. Time will tell. In the meantime Haley is recuperating at home and Mom needs prayers and patience as she attempts to keep the bouncy child calm and resting for the next few weeks as her heart heals.
One of Haley's greatest pleasures in life has been horses and she has taken therapeutic riding lessons at
Eden Farms through a program called Happy Hooves. This has been made possible for her by generous donations. Many of the outstanding medical bills have been paid through the efforts of folks like Lynn James and others who have held yard sales and other events to raise money. For several years now it has been an almost overwhelming situation for Haley's mom. Unable to work on a regular basis due to Haley's care needs and particularly this year as Doctors have home bound Haley from school, it has been anything but easy to be a single mom to two little girls. By God's grace, this little family is doing well with the support of loving extended family, friends and a caring community.
We are asking once again for the community to help out. When you go to Haley's blog you will read about an upcoming
NASCAR auction to be held for Haley. Please come and be a part of this. One of the greatest needs is for a wheelchair accessible van to accommodate the motorized wheelchair that Haley is scheduled to receive in March.
The family would like the community to know how much they appreciate the love and support shown by everyone. Most of all thanking those who are holding Haley and the family up in prayer. This child's future is unknown and each day is precious. Being around Haley is like holding a ray of sunshine in your hand. She will teach even the hardest heart to soften and find joy when they look into her eyes and see her smile. Her antics and compassionate heart experiences have been written about in a Chicken Soup book and the author of this article is writing a book entitled the Heart of a Child..........how Haley teaches us "unless you become as a little child you cannot enter unto the kingdom of Heaven."
