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Elizabeth Submitted by Joan Quiambao, DS/MH Coordinator, Volusia County Head Start, Daytona Beach, Florida |
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| When Elizabeth Flores applied for the Head Start Program last December, Volusia County Head Start was blessed with a precious angel. This lovable child was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in September. I worked closely with Elizabeth’s treatment team to determine the level of support she would need to being attending the program. |
Elizabeth Flores |
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Easter Seals quickly completed physical and occupational therapy
evaluations while I coordinated with Ivonne Montez, the Easter Seal
bilingual speech and language pathologist who provides bilingual
evaluations and therapy for Spanish-speaking Head Start children.
Collaboratively, we completed academic assessment, and Ms. Montez
completed a speech & language evaluation. I carefully placed Elizabeth in a classroom with loving and supportive teachers, and assigned a special assistant to work individually with Elizabeth. (IDEA allocations provided the funding for Elizabeth’s assistant.) Nancy Perez, our health coordinator, and Nicki Malfa, our education coordinator worked closely with me as we meticulously addressed Elizabeth’s educational and medical needs. Finally, we had all supports carefully in place, and conducted Elizabeth’s Head Start eligibility staffing. The week before she was to begin attending the Head Start Program, Elizabeth, her family, and Irma Miranda (her Head Start family service worker) spent four days at Disney’s Magic Kingdom as a Make-A-Wish Foundation recipient. Elizabeth was enthralled with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and had the time of her life. For a short while, she appeared to gain strength and endurance. Elizabeth’s loving personality and positive outlook touched Head Start children, teachers, and family service workers alike. She often spoke of the angels and heaven. Elizabeth’s faith was amazing for a five-year-old child. Whether she was feeling well, fatigued, or ill, Elizabeth always had a smile on her face, and showed gratitude to anyone who helped her. Her English vocabulary developed by the day, as Elizabeth enjoyed all classroom activities, and made friends with her classmates. She especially enjoyed working on the computer, even though she had difficulty navigating with a mouse. Elizabeth’s health began deteriorating rapidly in mid-March. At that time, I worked closely with her physical therapist to lease a personalized wheel chair for Elizabeth. When the chair finally arrived, Elizabeth became adept at manipulating it throughout the center. She was so proud of her beautiful, blue, wheel chair! When the children returned to school from their spring break, Elizabeth began experiencing tonic-clonic seizures, and severe migraine headaches. On April 15, she lost her hard-fought battle, as the angels touched her gently and whisked her away. The Head Start community was truly saddened with Elizabeth’s passing, and provided the Flores family with support, and nurturing during this unfortunate time. This precious angel was truly a gift from God. |
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