ISIS SOUFFRAIN
Cancer, lower income jeopardize family home
Isis Souffrain, seated at front, is a three-time cancer survivor; she lives with her life partner and their children. They are at risk of losing their home.
By JANIS FONTAINE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Everyone knows someone who has lost a job or gotten seriously ill, but Isis Souffrain and Dan Michalski and their five children have been hanging tough while facing both obstacles for more than five years.
In 2009, doctors diagnosed Isis with cancer for the third time. Breast cancer in 2004 was followed by ovarian cancer in 2006, then the recurrence of breast cancer in 2009. Treating her cancer has been complicated by the asthma she’s fought her whole life. Her lungs are fragile, and she’s suffered with both a collapsed lung and pleurisy, a painful inflammation of her lungs, recently.
Tougher than the pain for Isis, though, is the damage to her teeth. Chemotherapy has taken its toll and the outgoing Isis, 40, doesn’t leave the house — or smile — as much as she’d like to because she needs dental work.
Still, Isis isn’t idle. She volunteers at her daughter’s school, Okeeheelee Middle, and attends cosmetology school so she can work with the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program. Her dream job would be as a public speaker talking about dealing with cancer.
Her life partner, Dan Michalski, once owned a successful sheet metal fabrication business, but the collapse of the building industry forced him to close the doors. He looked for work for two years, selling his equipment along the way to keep the family afloat. About six months ago, he finally got a part-time position at Home Depot. His supervisor recently read a complimentary customer letter about him at a staff meeting, so Dan is hoping for more hours and responsibility.
Isis has her hair styled by her daughter Isis Michalski, 12, at their home in West Palm Beach.
The job came too late to prevent the family from falling behind on their mortgage. They’ve been trying to work out a payment plan with their lender, but don’t have enough income. They are afraid they’ll lose the home where the family has lived for 14 years.
Dan was able to complete the repairs to the living room, and it’s a lovely warm gold room that showcases the children’s trophies and school photos, but the family room and kitchen are unfinished. They have no heat or air conditioning. The small stove doesn’t work.
In this tight-knit family, everyone supports everyone else. The couple and their children — Priscilla, 21, Pamela, 16, Dante, 15, Isis, 12, and Paris, 8 — gather in the living room for board games or to watch the news or $1 movie rentals on Isis’ “pride,” the big-screen TV a friend gave her because it had a small crack.
But mostly, they gather for lively conversation.
Priscilla works at a restaurant while attending culinary school to become a pastry chef. Pamela, a high school junior, loves computers and music. Dante, the only boy, is in 10th grade. He’d like a bike or a longboard (skateboard). Little Isis, a seventh-grader, is a drama diva, and the sensitive, thoughtful one. She’d really like new glasses. And Paris, the baby, is in the second grade, and is a chess whiz already. She’d like a bike. (Purple, please.)
The family believes in volunteer work and giving back, and since money is tight they volunteer for the Relay for Life and Special Olympics.
Despite these challenges, the kids are happy and do well in school. Isis is active and optimistic. Dan, who has worked for everything he ever had, wants only to keep the house his family calls home.
ISIS’ WISH
Isis Souffrain and Dan Michalski need repairs to their home and cars. The son, 15, would like a bike or a longboard (skateboard). The 12-year-old daughter needs glasses. The youngest girl, 8, a chess whiz, would love a purple bike.
NOMINATED BY: American Association of Caregiving Youth
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Dr. Rhonda Nasser on 27 Nov 2011 at 10:44 am #
I would like to donate my services to fix Ms. Souffrain’s teeth. I am a general practioner with a specialty in cosmetic dentistry. I have been in practice here in Palm Beach county for the past 21 years. My office is located at 249 Peruvian Ave. St. R2 Palm Beach Fl. 33480. My phone number is 561-655-0666.
I would need to do a consultation with Ms. Souffrain in order to assess what needs to be done and determine if I am able to assist her. Please contact me if you are interested.
CaringWoman on 27 Nov 2011 at 12:18 pm #
If the children are on free or reduced lunch (if not, they should apply immediately), and they do not have insurance or Medicaid, the school nurse at their school can help with eyeglasses. If they have Medicaid, 2 pairs per year are allowed. The school nurses have other sources to refer them to also.
Dr. Josephs on 28 Nov 2011 at 5:03 pm #
We will donate pro bono dental services for Isis Souffrain.
Dr. Josephs
http://www.palmbeachdentist.com
Claudette on 29 Nov 2011 at 9:42 am #
My name is Claudette Connors. I live in Tequesta. I read the story about Isis on Sunday and felt drawn to her as I am a breast cancer survivor. My dentist is willing to repair her teeth which were damaged due to the chemotherapy. Please call me at (561)427-5349-cell or my office (561)494-0500. We would not be necessarily donating monies but rather my dentist would donate his time to fix Isis’ teeth. Would it be possible for her to call me?
Thank you.
sabrina on 29 Nov 2011 at 9:13 pm #
Hi my name Is Sabrina and i am one of “baby” isis’s best friends and i have grown attached to their family i am a drama diva my self in fact the same class as isis but trust me she nails the drama and we support eachother also because my grandma is a 2 time lung cancer survivor and has also had a cullaped lung under surgery. i love this family and my best friend i am so proud of how strong they are.
I LOVE YOU GUYS!
The Road Warriors on 30 Nov 2011 at 9:24 pm #
My name is Brian Thomas. i am the founder of a nonprofit organization called the Road Warriors. We are running from FL to MI on June 9th to raise awareness and funding for people that have, have had, and are affected by cancer. We are specifically raising money for colon cancer but Isis is a true Warrior. I am also a science Teacher at Okeeheelee Middle School. The two other young men that are running with me this june have interacted with Isis as her former students and insisted on donating half of the money we have raised so far, which i am sad to say is not much. we also will have some surprises for the kids.
The Road Warriors will be running a Tough Mudder race Saturday morning, in Tampa and the West Palm Beach Marathon on sunday morning. We will arrive at Isis house Saturday night, at 5 pm. My students are determined to also raise at least $100.00 by friday so i will represent Mr. Thomas’ (me) science class donations.
we hope to see you and some media friends at Isis’ house at 5pm 12/3/11
together we can,
Brian Thomas of the Road Warriors
Lissette on 01 Dec 2011 at 1:06 pm #
They are a great family .Kids are polite and smart Mom Isis is a sweet and strong person. I never even knew about there struggles because they never show it or talk about it. If i could i would payto catch up there mortgage and then some. but i will do what i can and do it gladly.
I wish them and all the familys the best this season!
The Palm Beach Post on 01 Dec 2011 at 3:15 pm #
Hi Claudette. Thank you for your comment. For specific questions about donations, please contact The American Association of Caregiving Youth: http://bit.ly/tEaUkR
matthew on 04 Dec 2011 at 9:52 pm #
hello im matthew im from mr.thomas’s 2nd period class. i feel for you beacuse it sucks having cancer because the operations and cemo and rediation is very expensive. i have donated and am planing to donate more(: it is a blessing that you have survived cancer three times. i will keep you and your familie in my prayers(: