By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Rachel Ashton is a young lady “with a whole lot of personality and energy,” stated Cindy Johnson, who will her husband Chris, are the proprietors of the The Cubby in Caribou and Presque Isle. Recently Rachel was selected to be The Cubby’s Hero of the Month for September. The energetic 7-year-old was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic disorder which results in multiple facial disorders, for which there is no known cause or cure.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Rachel Ashton, 7, seated with her Mom, Salena, is all smiles as she displays a check for $100 presented to her by Cindy Johnson, owner of The Cubby, in Caribou. The gift donation was in recognition of Rachel being named The Cubby’s September Hero of the Month.
When she was one day-old Rachel underwent her first surgery during which her doctors put a feeding tube in place, allowing for nourishment. Since that day, the young second-grader has had a total of 16 surgeries and will travel to Boston in two weeks for another. Rachel attends Hilltop Elementary School where she is a student in Ms. Mary McLauchlan’s classroom. According to her mother, if asked Rachel will tell you she “just loves, loves, loves, Ms. McLauchlan.”
The step-by-step surgeries involve correction of facial deformities as well as hearing aid implants, among other procedures. “Some of the surgeries are easier than others,” stated Salena Ashton, “some are done as an out-patient, while others require much longer time. We were in Boston the entire month of June for Rachel’s last procedure.”
The family, which also includes big brother Joshua, moved to Caribou from Denver a few years ago due to Dad, Edward’s employment as a U.S. Border Patrol agent. “When we lived in the West,” said Salena, “Rachel’s surgeries were mostly done in Dallas and Corpus Christi. Since we’ve lived here on the East Coast, they are done in Boston. Her doctors and everyone there are wonderful. The Ashtons stay in family housing near the hospital, when Rachel’s surgeries require an extended hospitalization, such as in June.
“She’s a fighter,” said Rachel’s mother, “and it is her fighting attitude that allows her to heal quickly. She is a very strong-willed little girl. She doesn’t ask why she has this medical condition and she is very quick to forgive those who are mean or rude to her. Rachel is also very in tune to others (children and adults) who are sad, even if that individual hasn’t said anything, she is drawn to them and tries to make them feel better,” she added.
Salena also stressed that often times people stare at her daughter, sometimes making blatant comments, “but most often it is out of curiosity and they are uncomfortable asking questions. Many times, when someone has asked, ’what is wrong with your daughter?,’ once I tell them, the conversation might continue for hours. Other times people just stare and turn aside. I think it is very important for parents of children with medical conditions to be open with others, most times it creates a comfort level, enabling them (others) to ask questions and understand.”
“Of course,” added Rachel’s mother, “there have been and will be more in the future, words spoken by others that, deeply hurt, but I try to just let them go — my focus is Rachel. She is an amazing child and she has taught us so much.”
Johnson also announced that two individuals previously receiving donations from The Cubby were July Hero of the Month, Zach Cote, of Limestone, who is a cancer survivor; and August Hero of the Month Kevin Stubbs, of Woodland who is afflicted with cerebral palsy.
