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Family Ties
Gaby, 3 & Gilbert Chediak, 6
Pembroke Pines , Florida
Gaby Chediak believes she’s Cinderella – a princess inside and out. This three-year-old, who acts as though she is 15, plays with her dolls, dresses up for afternoon tea and dreams of one day becoming a singer. She adores goofing around with her with six-year-old brother, Gilbert. And when she’s not playing with him she’s fussing over him like an older sibling. The two are inseparable and share a remarkable gift -- a liver transplant.
Gaby and Gilbert were both diagnosed with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC), a rare disease of the liver. Gilbert was transplanted at nine months, and just celebrated his five-year transplant anniversary. Despite many ups and downs following surgery, he is a happy kindergartener looking forward to competing in the National Kidney Foundation 2006 ….U.S. Transplant Games.
Following Gilbert’s diagnosis, the Chediaks were told that they had a 25 percent chance of having another PFIC baby. Gaby was diagnosed with PFIC, but her liver disease progressed very slowly. At age one, she received a liver transplant and was able to go home after only a five-day stay, a remarkably fast recovery for a child so young.
“Gaby was so young I didn’t think she understood what was happening to her and her brother,” says her mother. “But she surprises me every day with how much she knows. She sees her big brother going in and out of the hospital and never wants to leave his side.”
This week both Gilbert and Gaby look forward to participating in the 50-meter dash, long jump and softball throw events at the National Kidney Foundation 2006 U.S. Transplant Games. Gaby will also be reciting the Athletes’ Oath at the Opening Ceremonies as the youngest athlete at the Games.
“Gaby may not fully grasp what the Games are about, but I hope this wonderful experience teaches her that the people competing at the Games are beating the odds and despite their challenges, they are there to show their strength and perseverance,” Susan says. “We want both of the kids to know that whatever they set their minds to, they can achieve.”
