Fall 2006

Hailey's journey

Editor’s Note: This is the last in a series of articles The Ambassador will bring you about a young girl who faced many physical and medical challenges. With the help of a loving and committed family and a dedicated group of medical professionals, teachers and caregivers, Hailey’s life provided countless opportunities for life’s greatest, and often most over looked, pleasures. When we began this story, we never expected it would end here.

Hailey’s life was marked by lessons of simplicity and unconditional love.

There are lessons to be learned from Hailey...of the meaning of survival, simplicity, unconditional love...and of death.

After struggling with a heart condition that was getting worse as she got older, Hailey’s journey in this life ended on August 27. But her story and the lessons she has to share with others is not over.

Hailey’s life was defined by her sheer will to live. That life was defined by her desire to experience and enjoy the simplest things this world offers, things others often have a tendency to forget in the busyness of living.

She delighted in the wind, driving in the car with the windows down or swinging on the playground. She loved bright cheerful colors, toe-tapping music, soothing touches, tender words, and boisterous activity surrounding her. She loved to snuggle into the warmth of her bed.

Even though she couldn’t verbally express her thoughts, opinions and desires, she vocalized very clearly her joy, discontentment, and love. She never left a doubt as to what she thought.

Ray Elhard, a physical therapy assistant who worked with Hailey, remembers a time in the classroom when, after singing a song the teacher asked everyone if it was a good song. Her timely reaction made it clear to everyone it wasn’t her favorite.

He remembered days when, instead of working on physical exercises, the two would rock together. Through the simplicity of those moments, he said, “She showed me how we can rest our Father’s arms.”

Sarah Charley, with infant daughter Hailey, was supported by dedicated ACCC staff as Hailey grew.

“She truly is a person who lived in the moment,” said her mom, Sarah. “She teaches us to appreciate the simple things in life and really makes you think about what’s truly important.”

At a memorial service for Hailey, one of her nurses reflected on a time she saw Hailey sitting in front of a Christmas tree. Even though a vision impairment kept Hailey from fully seeing the beauty of the tree, it was evident by her calm, delightful expression, that she was enjoying the moment.

Sarah brought Hailey to Anne Carlsen Center for Children almost 13 years ago as an infant, not expecting her to live long. But Hailey had too much living to do and supported by a dedicated staff of medical professionals, direct care providers and teachers, Hailey began to teach those around her about the meaning of life.

“Hailey’s lesson,” said Sarah before Hailey died, “is that simple things make life what it is. I know she touches people. People feel her innocence and goodness. She has an essence that touches people.”

“The love we gave you kept your heart beating until it was time for you to go,” said her teacher, Pam Schauer, at Hailey’s memorial service. “You were my teacher, I was your student.”

This is one of two cover pictures of Hailey, who was The Ambassador cover girl twice and in her first year at the Center, was fondly nicknamed “Miss January” by her family after her appearance in the annual calendar edition of the publication.

Hailey’s lesson is simple, said a family friend during the service. “It’s how real she was. That’s one thing we can all learn from her.”

She bonded together a family that extends from Jamestown to Minot and beyond. “We became closer as a family and really bonded,” said her grandmother, Betty Wood. “Even our extended family.”

That was evident by the outpouring of family and friends who filled ACCC’s auditorium to capacity to celebrate Hailey’s life.

And, Sarah said during the service, “Jamestown and Anne Carlsen Center have become extended family to us. Anne Carlsen Center is so much her home.”

Hailey, said Pastor JoAnne Moeller, had many favorite places. “She’s always had another place, whether she knew it or not, in the heart of God. Today she’s the one teaching us, reminding us there’s no better place to be than in the loving grace of God.”