A Scholarship to Remember Kaela
By Kelley Huskey

Kaela Gabrielle Anderson was induced five weeks early due to growth complications in the womb. She weighed four pounds, five ounces, at birth. Cysts on her brain had previously been detected on ultrasound, but soon after dissipated.

A week after her birth, we were informed that she had a very rare disorder called moebius syndrome, which is characterized by paralysis of the face. Due to this disorder, Kaela could never smile, frown, squint, blink, or show any facial expression for that matter. We were also informed that she was legally blind, had severe hearing impairments, had weak muscle tone, and had cerebral palsy.

Kaela was sent home after a month in the neonatal intensive care unit, but returned a week later when she stopped breathing. Doctors determined that she had diabetes insipidus (DI), as well as panhypopituitarism and hypothyroidism, none of which had been detected during her month-long stay in the NICU. Her regimen consisted of subcutaneous DDAVP injections, Synthroid and hydrocortisone, as well as frequent visits to neurologists, endocrinolgists, ophthalmologists, ENTs, etc.

Two weeks after her first birthday, Kaela became sick and began vomiting. After vomiting twice, I put her down for a nap, since she appeared exhausted. While sleeping, I checked on her, and after two hours, I noticed that her heart rate and breathing appeared very rapid. I immediately took her to the emergency room, at which time, she went limp in my arms and soon after began seizing. After two days in the hospital, she was declared brain dead, apparently due to the fact that she had become severely dehydrated from vomiting.

She was taken off life support the next day, during which time, her organs were harvested.

I never realized the severity of her DI. I thought it was something that was under complete control with medication. Her endocrinologist never told me what I should do in the event that she would get sick, and I had no reason to suspect that her becoming sick would ever be an issue. Since she has died, I’ve had reason to research DI and only wish that I had the information then that I have today.

Although it’s been almost six years since her death, a day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of her.

We, Kaela’s family, decided to create the Kaela Anderson Memorial Foundation, which officially was founded in December 2001, to offer educational opportunities in the form of scholarships to those facing daily challenges as a result of their disabilities. Being a college student myself, one without disabilities, I know how difficult school can be under the best of circumstances. I want those with disabilities to have the same opportunity as those who are not disabled.

Since the scholarships are only available to those with disabilities, we will be using a screening process to insure that only those with disabilities receive scholarships. Applications from those with disabilities similar to Kaela’s would be given preference. We anticipate the first scholarships to be given in May 2002.

For those interested in applying for a scholarship or making a donation, please visit the Web site http://www.kamf.org, or write to Kaela Anderson Memorial Foundation, 31855 Date Palm Drive, #3-101, Cathedral City, CA 92234. Contributions can be made by credit card on the Web site, or by check or money order mailed to the above address.