June 20, 2008

For the past week, my professional and personal lives have been consumed by the stories of the three bravest and most inspiring people I’ve ever met.

The story: Three Oklahoma families were in St. Louis with a child who was to receive a double-lung transplant. When I received the story last week - I had no idea it would become so intense and personal for me.

– Jordan Ulrich, from Ada, has dealt with cystic fibrosis for her entire life. By her 17th birthday, she’d already suffered a lung collapse and undergone heart surgery and stomach surgery. She spent half of 2007 in hospitals because of other complications, and by Christmas, she was near death. But by some miracle, in the last 6 months, Jordan became healthy enough to receive her double-lung transplant.

Barely five weeks after the operation, you could never tell Jordan had the transplant, just by looking at photos of her. Compared to ones taken by her mother at Christmas, she seems like two completely different people. Although she has a long road of recovery ahead of her - The girl, who no doctor ever thought would live this long after all she’s been through, will have her 18th birthday in July.

Jordan is truly one who has gone against the odds through her own strength and perseverance. It’s astonishing.

– Bradley Davis is a 19-year-old from Tuttle. He was born about three months premature and has dealt with physical and mental developmental challenges all his life. But as his mother Teresa said, he takes it in stride and never gives up. Bradley could receive his double-lung transplant any day now. Compared to what he’s already been through - it’s a miracle he’s already made it this far.

Bradley’s been through 20 different surgeries: from his head to his eyes and from hernias to tracheotomies. Two years ago, he had back surgery for scoliosis and had two 14-inch steel rods and 22 two-inch screws placed in his back! I can’t even imagine going through something like that - it takes more strength and courage than I know.

Now waiting for the impending double-lung transplant, Teresa is very optimistic. Bradley’s lungs were the main problem during the 20 previous surgeries, because his lungs were so weak. Now with a new pair of lungs, there’ll be nothing stopping Bradley.

– The third and final story has been the hardest for me: 12-year-old Haley Palmer of Owasso. I spoke with Jordan’s and Bradley’s families last week, and learned late Friday afternoon, Haley had died of complications from cystic fibrosis.

This beautiful, vibrant girl had been relatively healthy most of her life - but fell gravely ill last fall and never fully recovered. She and her family were waiting anxiously for her to be approved for a double-lung transplant. But infections and other complications kept her from getting on the donor list. Time ran out before she could get her transplant.

This young girl in just 12 years affected an entire community and left a legacy well beyond her years. She raised more than $125,000 for CF research and informed anyone she met about this horrible disease. Her message was inspiring and resonant, and I only wish she could have been around longer to share it with more people.

Yesterday, I attended her funeral in Owasso - with the other 1,000 people in attendance. It was a beautiful tribute to her unbelievable life. I hope my coverage helps share her message to at least a few more people.

This assignment has been the most challenging I’ve ever had - but I left The Oklahoman today feeling truly fulfilled as a journalist, knowing that I told these stories to the best of my ability and (hopefully) honored the lives of these three amazing people.

These were the stories that every journalist dreams of telling, and I’m humbled, privileged and honored to be their messenger.

To the Ulrich, Davis and Palmer families: Thank you for allowing me to share the stories of your amazing children. I’m utterly blown away by their courage, stamina and never-ending optimism. I hope I’ve done your children’s stories justice.

To Jordan, Bradley and Haley: You are heroic to me and an inspiration that we all should follow. I cannot imagine going through what you have in your young lives (yet you’re only a few years younger than me), and your stories shall resonate with me always. Whenever I feel like life’s too tough or I’d rather give up - I’ll think of your bravery.

Haley’s, Jordan’s and Bradley’s stories are featured in the Friday, June 20 edition of The Oklahoman, with extra multimedia features online at NewsOk.com - including a photo gallery, links of YouTube video tributes to Haley and video footage compiled from Haley’s funeral today.

I hope this leaves you informed and inspired. That’s my goal with this story and with my career as a journalist.

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman

Posted: 20 Jun, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. | By: Oklahoman Intern.