MIKEY MARKWARDT

You will note a white "collar" around Mikey's neck in several of these photos. He had to have a tracheotomy at Shriner's Hospital on March 4, 2005, due to excessive amounts of cartilage in his trachea.  Mikey needs to be aspirated twice an hour or more.  Mikey stopped talking after his trach surgery.

Mikey had a right knee relocation during the surgery above as well, which was very successful. He wears braces to help train his legs to walk. 

The hope is that once he can walk, he may also be able to breathe on his own as well.  Mikey also needs speech therapy (he does not talk yet) and a hearing test along with a brain stem analysis. 

He did not pass the hearing test in the hospital that was given to him after his birth.  Mikey has had inconclusive results for hearing tests since then.

At times Rachel waits eight hours at Oakland Children's Hospital with Mikey for a hearing test, only to be told to go home at the end of the day with no test given. 

Rachel spends so much of her time waiting - waiting for tests, waiting for results, waiting for someone to tell her what to try next, and then waiting in line for whatever service that might be.  Precious time keeps ticking by when there could be quality help given in these early growth stages for Mikey.

Rachel is a mature young woman whose dream it is to own a healthy home for Mikey to grow up in, to have the medical care and support she needs for Mikey as well as herself, and a college education for both of them. 

At the present time she cares for Mikey nights and weekends, attends classes five days a week, and cleans homes and offices part time. Many of her friends have suggested she go on welfare, but she is adamant about not going that route. 

Rachel dreams of one day becoming either a dental hygienist and/or a professional photographer.  Her innate musical ability has been passed on to Mikey, who loves to "dance" and moves exactly to the beat of any type of music.

DREAM ONE WORLD raises funds to help Mikey and children like him in any way that we can to make their lives easier. 

We are grateful to Mr. Reshat Alkayisi, owner of Affordable Auto Glass at 468 Yolanda Avenue, #18, in Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (707-573-3031) for his generous contribution in repairing Rachel's car, which had a large crack across the windshield that was growing, and a missing side window.

We also wish to thank Ms. Sandy Sanchez of Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento, CA, for providing us with the expensive and badly needed "Answer 2 Shoes" (www.spsco.com) at no cost for Mikey to accomodate his special needs.

In 2006, Rachel, Mikey, and their friend Richard attended our DREAM ONE WORLD gala fundraiser, and were able to meet many people eager to assist them.  After the gala, several attendees were moved to donate children's books, games,  a stroller, etc., to Mikey.  Dreamworker and Gallery of Friends Artist Laura Malone even provided art supplies and lessons!

Thanks to the generous contributors at that gala, we were able to take Rachel on a "shopping spree" for needed items, such as new clothes (for now and future growth), rain boots, a warm coat for Mikey, two small bookcases for his bedroom, a rolling suitcase for his hospital trips, a backpack for Rachel's schoolbooks, etc.! 

We thank everyone who made this wonderful day possible.  To follow is a note Rachel wrote in 2007 to DREAM ONE WORLD and the gala attendees:

"To all those who have helped Mikey and me, we are overwhelmed with love and acceptance.  Thank you all for your support and hard work.  The gala was beautiful because of your attendance.  I apologize for my tardiness in writing this letter - life is always standing in the way of time.  We thank you for your help and patience, and a special blessing for Kathy who made all this possible."