When I was just a wee little girl a mere 3 months, I met a young boy close to my age at Clinica Red. Linda Mermelstein, my very first physical therapist ,was giving therapy to both me and my new friend to be Gabriele. We had flown in that day from the Nicoya Peninsula so that I could get therapy. We do not live in the city so we had to take a small commuter plane a 30 min ride from the Peninusla into San Jose. I would receive my therapy in the morning and come back home that same day.
When we were leaving, Linda introduced us to Gabriele and his mom Marcela. From then on we all became friends. Marcela and my mom kept up over the years. I remember my mom sending Gabriele his first waterwaybabies neck float and swimming pool. I had so much fun in mine, Marcela wanted to get one for Gabriele. He loved the water and they used the pool and float as much as I did. Over the years, even though we did not get to visit them much my Mom and Marcela always stayed in touch and talked about me and Gabriele. I remember when mom and Marcela were talking about how to get Gabriele Cannabis oil to help him with his seizures like mine. I remember when they talked about the two of us and how much they love us and how they would do anything for us. Recently in November, Gabriele had his Gtube placed. For those of you who do not know what this means its a gastrostomy tube inserted through the belly that gives nutrition directly to the stomach. Gabriele had been on a waiting list at the Children’s Hospital for years. When he turned thirteen, like me, we were transferred to the adult hospital of San Juan de Dios. Gabriele had his surgery but he and his mom ended up staying in the hospital for many days and it was quite traumatic.
Finally Gabriele got to go home. Marcela and Dilson were happy to have him home and be able to feed him better as us Liss kids always have trouble swallowing! Sadly, the hospital only gave them one syringe and one connector to his tummy. This was very frustrating for them as trust me one syringe and one connector is not enough!!! My mom went to Texas to see my grandpa at the end of May and she was able to bring back thankfully to THE PARKER LEE PROJECT a bunch of syringes and connectors for my friend Gabriele!
On July 5th my mom got a late call from Marcela. Gabriele had gone into Status Epilepticus. (Seizure that will not stop) … It was late at night, they were not in their home but visiting family in Nicoya. Mom was talking to Marcela and trying to give her strength. We began praying for them. The next morning Marcela left a message to my mom that Gabriele had passed away. The seizure monster had won and Gabriele lost his long fight of 16 years of battling him. It was devasting to me and our famlily. In an instant my friend was gone. In an instant Marcela and Dilson’s lives were changed forever.
No words can describe the sorrow we all have for Gabriel’s family. Recently, we were able to celebrate Gabriele’s at my favorite beach Los Cedros. We lighted a lantern and sent it up to Heaven. It was a beautiful cermony. The only thing that gives me peace, is to know that Gabriele is with Jesus, that he is free from his earthly bounds and that he is running and playing freely in heaven. We will miss you Gabriele. You were a Liss warrior just like me. We were and always be kindred spirits.
All my love,
Malia