http://www.seasontoshare.org Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:01:56 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en ELIZABETH VALDEZ Sick and weak, mom fears for children’s future UPDATE Feb. 5, 2010 Elizabeth and Luis Valdez of Lake Worth, parents of four children, had been struggling financially and emotionally since Elizabeth underwent surgery to remove her kidney and gall bladder last year. The community's donations will allow the family to catch up ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/elizabeth-valdez/ LYNDA FERGUSON Early-onset Alzheimer’s sends family into tailspin UPDATE Feb. 5, 2010 In the grip of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, Lynda Ferguson once spent her waking hours detached from the world around her. But in recent weeks, a bright new world has opened up for this 45-year-old grandmother. Thanks to the generosity of Palm Beach ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/lynda-ferguson/ ANGELO SINRAM-GIUSTINO Resilient family needs gas cards to reach doctor’s By ALLISON ROSS Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Most days, Angelo Sinram-Giustino is like any other inquisitive, active 7-year-old boy. It’s hard to notice the tremors in his hands that are a byproduct of his hydrocephalus, a condition known as “water on the brain.” Looking ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/angelo-sinram-giustino/ SAL DINUCCI Disasters pile up, but nothing keeps DiNucci down By KATIE McBROOM Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Salvatore DiNucci, 32, has never known life outside a wheelchair. He was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that renders him immobile from the waist down. Sal has struggled all his life, but never as much ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/sal-dinucci/ HALEY SMITH Rare genetic defect pits family against obstacles By AIME DUNSTAN Special to the Palm Beach Post Elisa and Craig Smith’s house is a happy house, a three-bedroom ranch in suburban Lake Worth filled with music and piles of pretty pink playthings for their three little girls. “Craig likes to play the bongos,” 4-year-old ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/haley-smith/ MARGIE ROGERS Health woes beset grandmother caring for 4 kids By ANNE RODGERS Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Margie Rogers raised seven children, but when the time came that two of her grandchildren, Aaliyah and Jaylon, needed a stable home, she opened wide the doors of her home yet again. In addition, she became ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/margie-rogers/ JOYCE FREEMAN Fort Pierce family needs help to restore the garage By LESLIE GRAY STREETER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer To most, Cynthia Johnson’s Fort Pierce home is a comfortable, brightly decorated haven of neatly displayed art and immaculate white tile. But for Cynthia’s mother, Joyce Freeman, this beautiful home is an obstacle course. ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/joyce-freeman/ ZOE FARRELL Life in ‘Zoe Mo’ full of perseverance, pain UPDATE: Dec. 24, 2009 By LIZ BALMASEDA Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Zoe Farrell wanted a pink guitar. The 7-year-old cancer patient got her wish last week, thanks to the folks at Chafin Musicenter in Lake Worth. The Chafin family and the store’s staff not only ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/zoe-farrell/ MARTIN RAMIREZ Tot must heal amid financial, other hardships By JOHN LANTIGUA Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Martin Ramirez has his pride. He and his wife, Guatemalan immigrants, came to the United States in 2003 and always supported themselves. But when their son, little Martin, was born here Oct. 30, 2007 with a serious digestive ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/martin-ramirez/ THE JOSEPH FAMILY Mother needs a job and a home with furniture UPDATE: December 24, 2009 By DAPHNE DURET Palm Beach Post Staff Writer The Joseph family's story of perseverance inspired Palm Beach County School District teachers, therapists, students and staff to pool donations for the widowed mother of three sons, including one stricken with ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/joseph-family/ JASMINE HUTTON Vibrating recliner means relief for autistic teen By MATHILDE PIARD Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Jasmine Hutton goes through two dozen AA batteries per week. She does not use them for a tape player or a digital camera or toys. She uses the batteries for the neck vibrating pillow that she loves to ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/jasmine-hutton/ MADISEN BYRD Girl’s leukemia takes physical, emotional, financial toll UPDATE Feb. 5, 2010 In Okeechobee, a 4-year-old leukemia patient has been greatly cheered by the community's generosity. Madisen Byrd's family is finally planning a Disney World trip. "People brought in educational games and toys and princess outfits. Madisen has just brightened up. She's like ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/madisen-byrd/ PIERRE-LOUIS FAMILY Family, with deaf parents, needs help meeting basics UPDATE Feb. 5, 2010 In Lake Worth, a deaf couple struggling to raise two young daughters amid tough economic times also felt the community's giving spirit. Elna and Wilnick Pierre-Louis, hotel housekeeping attendants who often went without meals so they could afford ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/pierre-louis-family/ CASTILLO-SMITH FAMILY Teen awaiting lung transplant could use laptop By ANA M. VALDES Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Like many other 15-year-olds, Kaiya Castillo-Smith enjoys manicures and playing Wii games, and has more friends on Facebook than she can keep up with. You’d never know that beneath her permanent smile, there’s a teenager who is ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2009/castillo-smith/ SARMIENTO FAMILY Their son’s health fades but their hope shines -- for his sake By KEVIN D. THOMPSON Palm Beach Post Staff Writer The frail little boy in the orange T-shirt should be playing soccer — his favorite sport — with his brother and friends. Instead, 9-year-old Sebastian Sarmiento is ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/sarmiento-family/ DIANE PERRY She comes through for everyone; now, she could use a hand By MATHILDE PIARD Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Diane Perry is the center that holds her small universe together. When her grandmother, Lucille, lost her home last month, Diane assured the 93-year old that she would not ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/diane-perry/ STACI JONES With a little help, family could realize big dreams By JANIS FONTAINE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Behind Staci Jones’ pretty brown eyes, there’s intelligence. Then there’s her mischievous smile, with the tiny white teeth — so perfect despite her other challenges. At 5 years old, Staci can’t speak ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/staci-jones/ AMELIA JONES A life falls apart, but mom keeps looking up By AMY ROYSTER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Amelia Jones is in a lot of pain. It’s heartbreak. And bad as it feels, it’s not her biggest problem. Her family is hungry. Her baby needs diapers. And she has to talk ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/amelia-jones/ YVETTE ALICEA She pits pride, courage against cancer By LIZ BALMASEDA Palm Beach Post Staff Writer In her darkest hour, Yvette Alicea, ovarian cancer patient and single mother of a 15-year-old son, sent up a prayer: “God, please let me live, so I can raise my son and help ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/yvette-alicea/ HOMELESS COALITION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY Homelessness: 'You could be next in line’ By STACI STURROCK Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Consider for a moment the small blessings you may have already taken for granted on this postcard-pretty fall day in Florida. Did you wake up on a firm mattress? ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/homeless-coalition-of-palm-beach-county/ TINA SCOTT Her burden doubles, but she’s 'not fretting or regretting’ By LESLIE GRAY STREETER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Spring 2008 was supposed to be the beginning of Sharelle Scott’s new life, not the end of it. The 26-year-old single mother of three, who’d had lupus since ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/tina-scott/ AMALIA SANCHEZ* Young woman struggles to keep promise to her mother By LIZ BALMASEDA Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Seven years after leaving her native Mexico, Amalia Sanchez* had settled into the immigrant stream in Lake Worth, raising two children, selling homemade Mexican tamales while her husband worked ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/amalia-sanchez/ SHAWN KING Boy’s dreams: to be a policeman, to have his own bedroom, to be healthy By DIANNA SMITH Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Shawn King’s long, frail body curls like a baby’s, hiding beneath a sheet because the hospital room is so cold. “He heard he is going to ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/shawn-king/ GALLO FAMILY A father’s wish: to provide for his family again By ALEJANDRA CANCINO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Marba Gallo, 45, clears tears from her eyes as her husband of 23 years, Carlos, describes the day they met in Havana. Carlos was at a bus stop, heading to the ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/gallo-family/ TRACY HARTSGROVE She’s fighting for her life -- and for her family By DAPHNE DURET Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Every morning brings with it a new fight for Tracy Hartsgrove. Every time she gets out of bed it’s always too soon, and there’s always a possibility that during her ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/tracy-hartsgrove/ JAIME MIRANDA A new life for a boy, but eviction notices for his parents By ANDREW ABRAMSON Palm Beach Post Staff Writer After waiting two years for the phone call of his life, and finally hearing that a kidney was available for his 2-year-old son Justin, Jaime Miranda was ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/jaime-miranda/ EDITH BELLE SMITH A home with heart, but little else By Barbara Marshall Palm Beach Post Staff Writer When life has been long and way too hard, shouldn’t there be sweet ease at the end? Or at least a few years of sitting comfortably on a porch surrounded by ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/edith-belle-smith/ ERICA THOMAS A little boost and this 'blessed' family could soar By Anne Rodgers Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Erica Thomas is due at work by 9 on the dot. Her commute to west Delray Beach requires three buses and at least two hours, so Monday through Friday, she’s ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/erica-thomas/ DAVID STRAUSS Getting weaker, but still going strong By KATHLEEN CHAPMAN Palm Beach Post Staff Writer At first, no one could figure out what was wrong with the Strauss brothers. Iris Strauss became worried when her four sons reached elementary school and began to have problems such as muscle weakness, ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2008/david-strauss/ AMY MILLER Lake Worth Against all odds, family's thriving but needs some help Amy Miller's tiny, sparsely furnished apartment has one thing she's always wished for: a happy son. Now if she could just get her family back on its feet. Miller, 29, is the single mother of two boys, ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/miller/ NICOLE RIVERA Jupiter Bad year: Father killed, daughter sick with leukemia This time last year, they were pretty much a regular family with all the regular stuff. Mom, dad, grown kids, one in college, grandchildren, the regular hard financial times. This year, though ... It is both unbelievable and heartbreaking ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/rivera/ BENJEARLENE NELSON Royal Palm Beach Blindness, house fire can't keep mother of two down Even though she's legally blind, Benjearlene Nelson has always had a clear vision of her future: to be a strong example to her children by owning a home, and to build a career by ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/nelson/ TRACEY UNDERWOOD Fort Pierce Stroke keeps mother of five jobless, helpless Tracey Underwood doesn't want to ask for help. She wants to work and provide for her four children, take them to church and buy them shoes and school clothes, and bikes to ride through the neighborhood. She wants to ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/underwood/ KENTRELL BECKLES West Palm Beach Brain tumor threatens boy's life, family's future Not long after Kentrell Beckles started kindergarten, he hurt himself while playing. "He had run into a pole," said his mother, Tangela Guess. "Just ran into it, and I said, 'Kentrell, didn't you see the pole?' I ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/beckles/ MARIA ISABEL GONZALEZ Belle Glade Overcoming cancer, mom stays 'strong' for kids lacking clothes For Maria Isabel Gonzalez, the painful surgery and daylong chemotherapy sessions to battle ovarian cancer were difficult. But feeling like she could not be a good mother was harder still. Derailed by her illness, Maria couldn't ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/mgonzalez/ GISSELLE GONZALEZ Belle Glade Child's brain tumor delivers blow to family's hopes The photograph of the little girl with the long, flowing, coffee-colored hair collects dust atop the TV of her family's cramped trailer home in Belle Glade. She is Gisselle Gonzalez, 4, a shy girl with ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/ggonzalez/ SYLVIA VILLANUEVA South Bay Illness, bad luck don't shake mom's faith in studious son Juan "Tony" Villanueva is an exemplary 16-year-old boy, an honor student at Glades Central High who is also taking dual-enrollment classes at Palm Beach Community College. The South Bay teen is working to earn his ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/villanueva/ VALDER GIBSON Hobe Sound Grandparents raising five kids 'wouldn't trade them for nothing in the world' Why is doing the right thing so rarely the easy thing? If Valder and Nathaniel Gibson had a spare second to ponder philospohical questions, that's one they might tackle. But it's up to us ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/gibson/ CHARLES JOHNSON Lake Worth Grandpa, 4-year-old share love, tattered trailer While it's true that Charles Johnson has given his 4-year-old grandson, Alex, a place to live, it's equally true that Alex has given Charles a reason to live. "He's made my life so much better," says Charles, 70. "He's ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/johnson/ SILVIA HERRERA Boca Raton With husband gone, mother wonders how family will survive Silvia Herrera kneels at her husband's grave in Deerfield Beach Memorial Cemetery and lets out a sob. The tears come next, streaming down her face. She looks down and caresses the blades of grass. "Maico, ... http://www.seasontoshare.org/2007/herrera/