Who's JOHN?
By John's Mom:
It happened nearly 11 years ago, but I remember it like yesterday. It could have been a day like any other as we headed north on I-5 that spring. Tall green firs bordered the road with the sun slipping through their boughs when I felt the van thump as the tire unexpectedly flattened. My already heavy heart sank further. The tire was just one more thing to deal with. Before I knew what was happening, John got out and went to work. Amidst my protests, he simply smiled and assured me that he could change the tire. As he knelt his frail body in the sharp roadside gravel, I marvelled at this 19 year old boy. I’m sure his right knee stung with pain as he spun the wrench and worked the jack. This was hard for him, but he was happy, almost ecstatic, that he was changing the tire--that he could change the tire.
He expressed his gratitude for being able to do this for me, his mom.
That’s how it was during John’s two and a half year battle with bone cancer . He was always helping and always grateful, even on the day we headed north to Seattle for a life-changing right leg amputation surgery, even knowing that the knee he knelt on at that moment would be gone within days.
It has been 9 years since John's passing. In the years since, our family has quietly honored him, but one of our greatest desires has always been to somehow do something meaningful in his name.
Who's BIG MAC?
You can't miss him. He's the tallest Haitian I ever met with the biggest smile and warmest heart.
The third time is a charm and Big Mac has finally received his student visa after three tries at the American Embassy! His name is really Mackenton Gilot and he has been an interpreter for Healing Hands for Haiti, a rehab and prosthetics organziation in Port-au Prince, for over 5 years. He is 31 years old and this will be his first trip to the United States. Paperwork for Mac was started after returning from a medical trip to Haiti in March 2010, just 2 months after the earthquake. Mac was accepted at Salt Lake Community College with plans to apply for their Physical Therapy Assistant program. Mac has been promised a position with the Healing Hands for Haiti clinic in Port-au-Prince when he completes his studies.
Big Mac arrives in Salt Lake City on April 22. On May 5th, 2012 he will start school where tuition alone is $4,500 per semester, more than 4 years worth of income for the average Haitian Family.
Despite John's cancer diagnosis and subsequent amputation, he never let his disability disable his dreams, his faith or his passion for life.
John never met Big Mac. But I have. And I have seen the struggle of so many of the Haitian people who lost limbs following the 2010 earthquake. A disability like this in a country like Haiti can be crippling. I am happy that Big Mac has the opportunity to live his DREAM and come to America to study. In honor of John and his many dreams, please help Big Mac by donating money for his education. Early 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of John's departure into a better world. We hope to come together to celebrate John's legacy of joy, hope and happiness. $40 has been provided by John's family to start this match. Please consider donating so that as a whole we can pay for a semester of Big Mac's education. Donations of any amount big or small are greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made via Paypal or check.
Big Mac will be living with Sandy Moody and her family who are sponsoring him while he is a student in America. Donations can be made by check to her at
695 North 1170 East Circle
American Fork, UT 84003
This is a video made following our most recent visit to Haiti.
