By Jason J. Marchi, Courier Correspondent:
When most children don't have a care in the world outside of
the most common kid-like concerns, nine-year-old Briana LaFontaine has had some
very adult things to think about while growing up because of a medical ordeal
she's borne since birth.
Briana’s medical challenges began when she was born with a
hole in her heart, according to Tracey Acerra, Briana's aunt and sister of
Briana's mother, Donna LaFontaine.
“They had to go in and close [the hole] when she was 18
months old because it didn’t close on its own,” Tracey explains. “Then, when
she was three years old they had to go back in and remove a lot of scar tissue
that had developed that was compromising a valve.”
For the next five years, Briana visited her doctor for
annual monitoring check-ups and all seemed well. Then the family was thrown the
proverbial curve ball when doctors discovered that Briana’s aortic value wasn’t
developing properly.
“She ended up in a 10 hour surgery and they had to do a
double valve replacement,” Tracey says.
Briana's mom had to take time off from work to be there for
Briana, which was a strain on the family.
“Luckily where I work they were really great and a lot of
people donated their personal days to me so I could spend the time with
Briana,” she says.
The teachers and staff at Briana’s school, Carbone
Elementary, were equally helpful, says Donna.
“Carolyn Carofano, Briana's third grade teacher, went so far
to help. Everyone at the school was phenomenal. The teachers, the staff, they'd
be at the hospital, calling constantly, coming to the house. Even the
superintendent came to the house to see her. It was just wonderful,” Donna
says.
Prior to Briana's surgery, the Carbone staff chipped in and
purchased a Wii video game system that allowed her to bowl or play tennis on
the television while recuperating.
On June 8, a benefit event was conducted at Saint Vincent's Church, offering food, desserts, and
prizes for kids and their parents, the proceeds of which went to Briana and her
family to help replace lost income and cover other bills.
“I had lunch with the mayor. We had pizza,” Briana says, and
during the benefit Briana received a proclamation from Mayor April Capone Almon
declaring June 8 Briana LaFontaine Day in East Haven.
In response to having a day named after her, Briana says, “I think it's
surprising.”
Due to the tutoring Briana received while recovering from
her surgery, she was able to keep up with all her schoolwork, and she can enjoy
her summer vacation with her friends and family before entering the fourth grade
in the fall.
These days, between the times she must rest when her energy
is low, summer still calls Briana out to play among its warm winds and sunny
skies. She loves to play basketball out in driveway and swim in either her
aunt's or her neighbor's pool with her older brother Scott (named after
Briana's dad, Scott LaFontaine) and sister, Jenna.
“She will have to face more surgeries down the road, since
she has replacement values,” according to Tracey, and replacement valves only
last so long. But she’s one brave and strong little girl with a lot of heart,
and everyone in her life is hoping and praying for the best.
Following the Saint Vincent’s
fundraiser, an account remains open in both Briana and Tracey’s names for
future donations. Potential donors can contact Tracey Acerra at 466-2524.