Family ‘blessed’ by Lions Club help
RATHDRUM – A miracle was granted to 14-month-old Madalynne Reed. At least that’s what her mother believes. It wasn’t just her thriving despite weighing in at 5 pounds and 10 ounces at birth, and having Down syndrome. The “miracle” came from the Rathdrum Lions Club for recognizing a family in need.
Julie and Kevin Reed of Coeur d’Alene were dealing with the stress one faces when any child is born with medical problems.
“You struggle as a family,” Julie Reed said. “You’re put up against a wall anyway. You try to survive and do the best you can.”
They tried to save energy and funds for the other children in the family, but there were numerous doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, plus the daily chores of life to squeeze in. At birth, Madalynne failed a hearing test and was taken to Spokane where she failed another. That meant more exams, tests and procedures to place ear tubes. Then the Reeds learned that she needed hearing aids.
Madalynne’s exams were covered by insurance, but not the aids themselves, which cost $2,000. Some of Kevin’s friends were involved with the Rathdrum Lions Club and suggested he ask them for help. The club’s requirements were minimal. They asked for a simple letter stating their need. Julie knew the club planned to contribute something, but had no idea how much. When she called to find out the remainder of their balance due on the hearing aids, she learned it had all been paid. The club picked up about half of the bill.
“We’re just blessed by what they’ve done for us,” Julie said.
For Madalynne, the hearing aids meant she wouldn’t miss out on the communication that was so important to her development, which was already affected because of Down syndrome.
“If you don’t have hearing, you’re delayed even more,” Julie said.
Once she had the hearing aides, Madalynne stopped focusing all of her attention on people’s faces and mouths. Her babbling got louder.
“She could look at her surroundings,” Julie said. “She was more free, open and spontaneous.”
Madalynne is improving, her ear infections have cleared and she seems to be hearing better. She’ll need more studies to see if she needs to continue with the same hearing aids.
All the Lions Club asked for in return was an occasional progress report. The Reeds bring Madalynne to the clubhouse sometimes so the members get a firsthand look at the results of their efforts.
“They’re just overjoyed to see her,” Julie said. “It’s the least I can do after all they’ve done for us.”
Lions Clubs may be best known for attending to vision needs, and the Rathdrum group has purchased about 20 pairs of glasses this year. But they are equally committed to helping community members with hearing needs. Each year the Rathdrum Lions pay to sponsor a screening van from Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing. This year it will arrive at the Lakeland School to test every child from first to sixth grade for vision and hearing beginning Monday. The screenings are organized by the school nurse, manned by local volunteers and often provide plenty of referrals to the Lions Club for families in need.
Cherry Heitstuman is recent past-president and the first woman president since the Rathdrum Lions started in 1947. She joined in 2001 after prompting from her husband, Norman, who is treasurer. Lions Clubs were originally open to men only. She turned her title over to the current president in July and often helps at the busy, screening vans.
“Its pretty intense,” she said. “You’d be surprised what these kids can’t hear.”
Last year the club purchased another set of hearing aids for a boy after the screenings. They also help quite a few seniors who need glasses since Medicare doesn’t cover that cost, Heitstuman said. She has high praise for Lakeland Eye Clinic in Rathdrum, which helps the club’s dollars stretch farther by discounting their fees.
The Rathdrum Lions’ biggest annual fundraiser took place on Labor Day with the raffling of a 1966 Mustang, which went to a Sandpoint woman who wasn’t even aware that her husband had purchased a ticket.
“She said she was having a very bad day until we called,” Heitstuman said.
The club raised about $10,000 with the Labor Day raffle, and are already gearing up for two more fundraisers. You have to have money coming in if you want to keep it going out to those in need, Heitstuman said.
This year the Rathdrum Lions have already doled out about $15,000 to a variety of causes including the community food bank, a new park pavilion, a camp for children with special needs, and a skatepark. Next on their agenda is a community auction and a raffle for an all-terrain vehicle that will be awarded before Christmas.
For information on fundraisers or membership call 687-1212.