Community rallies for girl, grandmother
KATHLEEN MERRYMAN; The News Tribune
As this year closes, Mercedes Thomas’ world is opening, thanks, in large part, to the kindness of strangers.
Mercedes was born 12 years ago with Proteus syndrome, the disease from which Joseph Merrick, portrayed in the film “The Elephant Man,” suffered. Like Merrick, some parts of Mercedes’ body have grown more rapidly than others. Her spine is so twisted that she cannot walk. Her tongue is malformed, and she can say only a few words. “Yeah!” is her favorite.
Her spirit, though, is full of joy.
She’s a 12-year-old girl who loves guests, music, television, lights, Christmas, her family, and getting out in the world.
But in October, she was stuck in the home she shares with her grandmother, Ruby Thomas.
She’d outgrown her old wheelchair and was waiting for a new one.
Though she had transportation to medical appointments, she didn’t have a way to go to the zoo, or shopping with her grandmother. Ruby did not have a lift to get a wheelchair into her van, and she did not know Pierce Transit has shuttle service for people with disabilities.
When we wrote about Mercedes, we made it clear she has had excellent medical treatment and that Ruby is a loving and capable caregiver. But, at 68 and home-bound with Mercedes, Ruby has not been able to learn about resources, much less lobby for them.
So News Tribune readers, stepped up.
Caregivers, Rotarians and a family whose wheelchair-bound father had recently died said they wanted to help get a lift for Ruby’s van.
Then the State Department of Social and Health Services sent Ruby the application for a lift. Pierce Transit sent the application for Mercedes’ shuttle service. Ruby is filling them out, and looking forward to visiting Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, thanks to the zoo membership Carl Southard bought for them.
Mercedes’ new wheelchair arrived.
Unfortunately, she hates it. After an hour in the molded seat, she starts squirming in pain. Ruby doesn’t think Mercedes could enjoy the zoo adventure in it.
Enter Buddy Blanchet, a wheelchair dealer. Wednesday, he’ll be visiting Mercedes to see about getting her into a comfy wheelchair for trips.
Giselle Patterson, who has a daughter with special needs, has plans to get the girls together for some socializing, and to help Ruby with paperwork.
Lori Herth is bringing over the iMac computer she doesn’t use any more. Ruby is thrilled.
Carolyn Jones of Eastside Baptist Church was delighted to learn that Mercedes loves services and Sunday school. As soon as Ruby has transportation, the church will make Mercedes welcome, Jones said.
Last week, a Toys for Kids team paid a Santa visit to Mercedes. Organized by Dr. John Winskill and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center, the charity raises money, compiles a list of eligible families, and sets volunteers loose at Toys R Us to shop for them.
Lucas Uphaus, 12, Jacob Brown, 11, and their mothers, Kathy Uphaus and Jerri Brown, found Mercedes toys, and, with Lucas’ sister, Breanna Uphaus, delivered them to the Thomases.
Mercedes and the boys hit it off. They listened to music, fed the squirrels in her backyard and had their pictures taken.
Lucas and Jake have added Mercedes to their circle of friends.
“Jake said meeting her was the best part of Christmas, and I have to agree,” Jerri Brown wrote in an e-mail the evening of the visit.
“In a time when we are running from here to there stressed about all of the things left to be done, it felt like time stood still and all was calm hanging out with Mercedes. She is such a blessing. And here we thought we were going there to make her day and make her feel the love and spirit of Christmas, and instead she gave that to us!”
Grandma Ruby and Mercedes are delighted.
But those boys will have to keep up with their new friends.
Ruby’s planning an expedition to Zoolights, rambles through the parks that Mercedes loves, and trips to Safeway.
“When I get my lift, you won’t be able to find Mercedes and me at home,” she said. “I love to get out and go, and she loves to get out and go.”
“Yeah!” Mercedes said.
And for opening the doors and making it possible, Ruby says thank you, and Merry Christmas.
Kathleen Merryman: 253-597-8677
kathleen.merryman@thenewstribune.com
