Breeleigh likes to shop, get her hair and nails done, and act like a girly-girl. She also rides a four-wheeler so crazy her sister, Katie, won’t ride with her, plays with her bulldog, Bella, and teases her little brother, Landon. In other words, she’s a typical almost-14 year old. Except that she’s not typical. Breeleigh has cystic fibrosis which makes her life different than most teenagers.
If you were to meet Breeleigh, you might not notice anything unusual about her. She’s beautiful and articulate. She’s loving and caring. She loves to watch movies. “I especially like comedies and Disney and I really liked ‘Minions, ‘” she said. It’s only when you talk with her about school and her intimate knowledge of Egleston Children’s Hospital that you realize something is different. Breeleigh has to be homeschooled for now. Her mom, Becky, has to give her breathing treatments four times a day. Heather Hawkins serves as her homebound teacher and connection to North Habersham Middle School.
Although she’s not at school, the students think of her often. When she was hospitalized last fall, her classmates stood in for her at the yard sale. When I met with them a few weeks ago, each of them mentioned Breeleigh and their goal of making sure she was going to make the trip to Charleston with them. “It’s been really neat that the kids pitched in and raised money for Breeleigh when she had to be whisked away (because of a medical emergency) last fall,” Becky said. Breeleigh said that she’s been amazed at the support. “My friends have really pulled through for me and other kids.”
Becky is a LPN. She’s making the trip with the group as support for Breeleigh. She’ll be Breeleigh’s travel buddy and roommate for the entire trip. Breeleigh is excited to hang around with her friend Gabby, too. They’ll be traveling in groups so support will always be nearby. Mrs. Hawkins is driving her car so there will be extra transportation if it is needed.
As for the Charleston itinerary, Breeleigh can’t wait to get to Bubba Gump’s Restaurant. Becky said, “Staying on the USS Yorktown is going to be an experience in itself. Breeleigh has been watching [the movie] ‘Titanic.’” Breeleigh offered, “Which is why I’m never going on a cruise.” Good thing the ship will stay in port! And no swimming at the beach. “It’ll be too cold,” according to Breeleigh. “I’m not getting in the water!”
Breeleigh hasn’t started packing for the trip yet. No, she’s focused on another important event prior to their leaving; the 8th grade dance. Her dress is in the mail today. That’s first priority right now.
She has another project on her plate, too. She’s been sewing for the kids in Haiti. This is a mission project the eighth graders have undertaken with leadership from Doug Vermilya. “She wanted a sewing machine for Christmas – how many 13-year-olds want a sewing machine?” Becky told me. The only problem was that neither Becky nor Breeleigh knew how to sew. “So we asked Mrs. Hawkins if she knew how and she said, ‘as a matter of fact, I do.’” Breeleigh has been making pillows and soon will start making pillowcase dresses for the girls in Haiti.
Math is her favorite school subject. She says Landon, her 2-year-old brother, “helps by coloring all over my papers.” Breeleigh is really close to Landon since she’s home with him so much. She’s going to miss him while she’s on the trip. Dad Steven will have to hold down the family fort with Katie and Landon while they are gone.
Breeleigh had long straight hair, but it got cut off yesterday. “It was time for a change,” she said. When she grows up, she plans to dye it blond – platinum blond. She’s just a typical teenager in so many ways, and she is being blessed in so many unusual ways with friends and teachers who never forget about her and include her as much as possible in the eighth grade world of North Habersham.
Way to go, Bobcats!
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Original article: Countdown to Charleston: Breeleigh.