Caring community helps families realize
Bobbi Jo Guerrette's dreams
Mars Hill family home from first ear surgery
Bobbi Jo Guerrette
By Tomi Henderson
MARS HILL — “BURP!” and little Bobbi Jo explained “I can hear me in my big ear!” This is something that Jamie and Ryan Guerrette love to hear from their 4-year-old daughter as she adjusts to having an ear that works.
Bobbi Jo was born without ears, and has gone through her days using a bone-anchored hearing aid, held on with a special headband. Jamie and Ryan had researched things that might be done when Bobbi Jo was older, but were very encouraged when they heard about a surgeon at the California Ear Institute that would do surgery at a younger age, and give her actual ears made from her own skin. They were hoping that Bobbi Jo could have her new ears by the time she started school, but because of the costs, were leaving it in God’s hands as to the timing.
The surgery cost $45,000 per ear, plus travel expenses, and was something that their insurance company wouldn’t cover up front, although they would reimburse them for some of the costs following the procedure. Jamie started praying and, with the help of many friends and family, various fund-raisers were held including Columbia Forest Product’s barbecue as well as a donation from Avery Waddell, who asked persons to make pledges to Bobbi’s Build and Ear fund instead of buying presents for her own 7th birthday.
The family had raised some funds, when an anonymous donor provided the money to cover both surgeries. Their prayers had been answered!
The anonymous donor made the stipulation that, when Jamie and Ryan were reimbursed by their insurance company, that half the reimbursement go into college funds for Bobbi Jo and her older sister Carly, and the other half be used to help other children in Aroostook County that had medical needs. Jamie has formed “Bobbi’s Build An Ear Foundation” through www.CaringBridge.org (BobbiJoGuerrette) and has helped a dozen families already with travel expenses and medical equipment.
With the question of immediate funding answered, the dates for Bobbi Jo’s operations were set for April 26 and Sept. 13, 2010.
Bobbi Jo and her parents traveled to California on April 22 for reconstructive inner ear surgery and plastic surgery on her left ear. The 10-hour day procedure was done on April 26 at Waverly Surgery Center in the San Francisco area. Dr. Roberson worked on rebuilding her inner ear, while Dr. Reinish, a pediatric plastic surgeon, made the outer ear.
The Guerrettes stayed near Waverly and Dr. Robinson for a few days, before traveling to Los Angeles for followup with the plastic surgeon. Although Bobbi Jo was uncomfortable for a few days, she was able to enjoy visiting Disneyland and Universal Studies as well as doing a lot of shopping (mostly window).
The Mars Hill family was cleared to fly on May 13, and returned home on May 14. They see Dr. Murry in Portland for Bobbi’s follow-up care, although they also have Dr. Roberson’s cell number to use in an emergency. Bobbi currently has some unexpected bleeding and swelling and is on special medication to reduce the inflammation.
Bobbi Jo is very fashion conscious and has a number of headbands — so she is always able to match her outfits. Jamie will be very glad when Bobbi Jo is able to use various butterfly earrings to make her fashion statement complete.
Friends and family members who had traveled to California at various times to help Jamie and Ryan included: grandparents Bob and Vicki Jackson, sister Carly, friend Laura Buckley, Aunt Stevi McCrum and Grammie Tammie Fletcher. These folks, along with friend Kathy Foster and Aunt Shelley Wortman, plan on helping again in September when surgery is scheduled for Bobbi’s right ear.
The Guerrettes are also very appreciative of the support from Mars Hill native Toby Adelman and her daughter Shy, who live in San Francisco.
A Motorcycle Rally fund-raiser is planned on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Big Rock Ski Area where Ryan is employed. Registration starts at 9 a.m., and riders will leave from Big Rock at 10 a.m. and travel a 76-mile loop around Aroostook County. They will return to Big Rock for a barbecue at 1 p.m. Plan on attending the barbecue, even if you don’t ride. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Jamie is very thankful to all the local organizations, clubs and churches that have asked her to speak about Bobbi and Bobbi’s Build An Ear Foundation. She welcomes the chance to speak to others about how “the Lord provides above and beyond when you trust in Him.”
