Julia and her Village

 

 

There’s something to be said of truly loyal friends. Not only do they celebrate life’s greatest successes with you, but they are there through the greatest of tragedies as well. CDKL5 is a tragedy of the genetic kind, one no child and no family deserves. But for now, there is not much we can do to control that. What we can control however, is how friends and family react to the situation, and the good that can stem from a horribly unfortunate event. Julia’s tragedy has, in a way, created a reactive community on her behalf, and has blessed myself and many others with the gift of community.  

 

There was always a feeling of comradery among the Romanians of Southern Ontario. Regardless if you knew someone personally or not, there was some sort of mutual friend that connected one another. It was a community based on national origins and immigration status, superficial compared to what it is now. As soon as Gabriela’s closest friends found out about Julia’s disease, action was taken. From Galas to BBQs to weekend fundraisers, it is safe to say that a small group of people have really stepped up in running and organizing Julia’s Village. I think a lot of people became more self-aware of their own blessings, and have learned to appreciate life with this cause in mind. I have seen a select few people, including my mother, really evolve into selfless individuals, and it was all brought about by the sense of philanthropy and love that Julia created. 

 

But it wasn’t only the closest of friends that stepped up. Soon enough, the word of Julia’s disease spread to friends of friends of friends, and before we knew it, the domino effect took place. A couple weeks ago, there was a soccer tournament held in Julia’s honor to raise money. It was a big event, and Julia’s family certainly didn’t know everyone there. They were surprised to hear that the very next day, a group of people who had been to the soccer tournament that they didn’t know, held a BBQ the next day and raised money for Julia’s Village on their own time. It is clear that Julia’s Village has grown exponentially in acts of kindness, and the community is growing every day.  

 

It is a sad truth that tragedies happen every day, but what matters most is how responsive we, as a community, are to them. We have seen the light in this beautiful little girl’s eyes, and we have decided that it needs to be seen. She has been a blessing to our community, and we only hope to repay her in the best way we can.  

 

Corina Bizim **** June 15, 2015