Small Miracle: However Long They Have Him, Family Cherishes Its Youngest
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Small Miracle: However long they have him, family cherishes its youngest A play train table sits prominently in the living room of the home Brandie and Dan D’Orazio make in Baltimore’s Federal Hill. Christmas stockings embroidered with their names and those of their four children line the staircase, the last for their youngest, Leo. Leo was born Jan. 5, 2017. Four days later, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disorder that limits his brain development. The D’Orazios, who worship at St. Ignatius in Baltimore, remain strong in their faith despite the knowledge that any day could be their infant son’s last. “Your relationship with each other and your relationship with God goes one of two ways,” Dan said. “It either weakens, or it gets stronger.” “These tears you see from us, they’re a combination,” Brandie said. “They’re happy tears, they’re sad tears. They’re life tears, they’re faith tears. We love him so much and he’s given us so much.” Great love Brandie grew up a parishioner of Holy Family in Randallstown, and earned a degree from the Notre Dame of Maryland University. She met Dan, a New Jersey native who attended Georgetown University, when both were on the staff of the Choice Program in Baltimore, which helps at-risk youth. On their first visit to Jesuit-led St. Ignatius, they heard mentions of Mother Teresa, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandi. Married in 2006, their pew at 10:30 a.m. Mass filled in, with Stella, 8, Anna, 4, and Luca, 2. Leo’s pregnancy was relatively normal, but after giving birth at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Brandie noticed that his breathing was rapid, and that his muscle tone and cry were weak. Dan attributes that attention to detail to her “mother’s instinct,” but her medical background helps. Brandie holds a nursing degree from Coppin State University, and worked in the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Unit. Her advocacy led to a preliminary diagnosis of pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) at just four days – much earlier than most children with similar disorders. PCH affects the development of the hind brain, where the pons transmits signals to and from the cerebellum, which coordinates movement. A PCH prognosis includes severe cognitive and physical limitations, and a short life. (Full genetic testing traced the disorder to a spontaneous mutation in Leo’s CASK gene, which creates a protein that aids in the development and function of the hind brain.) Intubated to assist with his breathing, Leo was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is equipped to handle unique cases. Doctors told the D’Orazios that if Leo were removed from the ventilator, he would die within minutes. Wearing the baptismal gown worn by his father, Leo was baptized at Hopkins by Deacon Paul Weber, amid family and friends who assumed it would be the first and only time they would meet the baby. The D’Orazios said they did not want to be “selfish” and seek extraordinary measures to keep Leo alive for themselves. On Jan. 18, doctors removed 13-day-old Leo from the ventilator. The Gift of Leo He lived more than a few minutes. Hours turned into days. At three weeks, Leo was brought home on hospice care. The D’Orazios had packed away his baby items in their basement. Prepared to grieve, they continue to rest on the presence and prayers of friends, family, their parish community and strangers. Dan, the CEO of a marketing consulting firm, said that one of the family’s greatest blessings is Brandie, who logged 11 years as a critical care nurse. Dan describes his wife, Leo’s primary caregiver, as the baby’s “travelling hospital.” “I couldn’t ask for a stronger or more caring soul to be my partner,” Dan said. Leo’s lack of hearing and vision make tactile contact his best form of connection, as his parents said that he loves being held. Brandie takes her baby to a number of therapies and treatments, all designed to comfort him. “When we have a tough day,” Dan said, “we look at each other and say, ‘Our family is all together.’ ” Brandie, Dan and Leo’s three siblings treasure his presence. They say he makes them appreciate what others might take for granted, and has encouraged them to continue to help others, what they call “The Gift of Leo.” Even the name they gave him embodies his spirit. “I looked at him and said, ‘He’s going to be a Leo,’ ” Brandie said. “Leo the lion. Strong; a fighter.” They do not question God’s plan. “Why not us?” Dan said. “We’re no different than anyone else.” “For them, it’s not extraordinary,” said Jesuit Father James Casciotti, pastor of St. Ignatius. They have helped lead their parish’s annual pre-Cana retreat, school supply drives and its Advent support of the Angel Tree project. The D’Orazios’ newest cause is the Child Life Department at Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital. Its counterpart at the main Hopkins hospital helped Leo’s siblings understand his diagnosis. “Miracles don’t have to be big,” Brandie said. “They can be small, but you’ve got to be open to them.” Editor’s note: Dan D’Orazio and his company, Sage, have done contractual work for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Jack of all trades brings joy to OLV students ARBUTUS – Jack Pundt can do it all. In his 27th year as the facilities manager at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, Pundt is literally a “Jack of all trades.” “Jack Pundt makes things appear,” said Lois Gorman, the OLV principal. “We came back from Thanksgiving break, and there was a working train display in our lobby. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I can ask him to do anything, and he’ll do it.” Pundt’s passion for the job dates to the 1960s. Like his two grown sons, he attended OLV School. He began working there even before he entered Mount St. Joseph High School, where he was in the class of 1971. “My uncle Joe (DeBoy) had the job I’m doing now,” Pundt said. “I had my first job here (OLV) when I was 11 – working Saturdays for $1 per hour. I worked for him.” His passions include being a toy locomotive hobbyist, one with 19 sets of trains. “I’ve got this thing about trains,” he said. One of those sets is in the school lobby, a display Pundt put together while students were on Thanksgiving break. “I worked on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he explained. His personal train set collection has become an Advent tradition at OLV, putting students in the Christmas spirit. “It’s always the same (student’s) initial reaction,” he said. “It’s just a lot smiles and a lot of excitement.” Pundt has been on the alumni board at Mount St. Joseph for more than 22 years, and claims St. Joseph, the patron of woodworkers, as his favorite saint. “Everything I do is based on being Catholic, Pundt said. “I love working with wood. I had a lot of St. Joseph ingrained in me when I went to Mount St. Joseph.” During Lent, the principal asked Pundt if he could build a cross as a part of a school program to help support “Kids Helping Hopkins,” which benefits the John Hopkins Children Center. He responded by building a wooden cross almost 6-feet-tall. “All of the students, faculty and staff, we all put our fingerprints on the cross,” Gorman said. “And that’s hung up in my office right now. He really takes a lot of pride in the work that he does. He is meticulous. ”Pundt also works at the parish level on weekends. The project he is most proud of was framing the original Stations of the Cross inside the church, which took nearly two months to complete. “I just love being here,” he said. “I love doing this stuff for the church and for the school.” Gorman praised Pundt’s work ethic, which she said is a perfect example of faith in action. “When I think about being Catholic, myself, it’s about providing a service,” Gorman said. “And Jack is someone who provides a service, and doesn’t need or ask for any recognition.” His service is especially appreciated by OLV students this time of year. “You try to make it a place they are happy to come into,” Pundt said “It’s not the same old every day.” Email Rico De Silva at [email protected] Archbishop Lori presides at archdiocesan celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe WESTMINSTER – Close to 500 people weathered a steady snowfall the evening of Dec. 9 to participate in the archdiocesan celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. John Church. Archbishop William E. Lori was the principal celebrant during the Mass that kicked off the event at 7 p.m. Pastor Father Mark Bialek and associate pastor Father Christopher de León concelebrated. Preaching in Spanish to a predominant Latino congregation, Archbishop Lori expressed joy for the opportunity to pay honor in their native language to the Mother of God, under the title of “Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.” “On this Second Sunday of Advent, we also celebrate the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” the archbishop said in his homily. “The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is at the same time familiar, yet awe-inspiring.” The archbishop noted that on the morning of Dec. 9, 1531, a young peasant named Juan Diego had a vision of a young maiden on Tepeyac Hill, south-central Mexico.