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Family and friends will host a fundraiser on April 13 for a Langley girl with a life-threatening illness MONIQUE TAMMINGA Times Reporter
Selena Yorke loves cheerleading, rollercoasters and even her big brother, she says with a smile and a spirit that is simply contagious. But it’s a beautiful smile that hides a terrible truth. The Langley Meadows Grade 5 student has an incurable disease. Last year, Selena was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia — a progressive disease that affects every cell in her body. It will not affect how Selena thinks but will affect her ability to walk and talk. Eventually, Selena won’t be able to dance to her favourite songs, or even sing them. The rare and viscious disease, which causes progressive damage to the nervous system and to the heart, will eventually deprive Selena of everything. There is no cure. Already, she has the beginnings of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the wall of her heart has begun to thicken. Last year, she went to Disneyland for a day with the Sunshine Dream for Kids program where they get buddied up with a California Sheriff and a volunteer from here. They’re able to jump the lines and go on rides all day and night. The kids, all of whom have lifethreatening illnesses, brave the trip without their parents. Selena had a great time, she said. Her favourite ride was the Haunted Mansion. But as things become tougher for Selena, her parents are going to need to do some expensive renovations to their home including a stairlift, which can cost upwards of $11,000. Bathroom renovations are $30,000 and a vehicle with a wheelchair lift can cost $40,000 used and as much as $60,000 new. continued, PAGE 12
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Night for Selena a
Monique TAMMINGA/Langley Times
Parents Cari and Brad Yorke with son Noah and daughter Selena, 10, who was diagnosed with a life threatening disease a year ago called Friedreich’s Ataxia. Friends and family are holding a fundraiser on April 13 at the Summit Theatre for costs they are going to incur.
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