Life Changing Illness
Today would have been my brother, Steve’s 65th birthday.
Of my three older brothers, I journeyed through life most closely with Steve. We suffered together throughout our childhood and teens, and saw each other through rough times as adults. When Steve was about four-years-old, the doctors discovered that he had perthes disease which is a rare childhood condition that affects the hip. The doctors told my parents that the best hope for him to have a normal life where he could walk and be physically active without pain would be ongoing treatment at a children’s hospital about 40 minutes from our home. Steve would have to inpatient there and my parents would only be able to visit on Sundays.
Steve left the hospital two years later and would use crutches for another year or so. He came home to a new house and new foster brothers and sisters who, in his mind, had taken his place in the family while he was away. Physically, he was perfect but the emotional and mental impact would go unnoticed and untreated for many years.
Are You Stephen’s Sister?
On April 22, 2017, just before noon, I opened the door to a Phoenix Police Department detective. He asked if I was Stephen’s sister. I acknowledged I was. The detective said, “Stephen is deceased.”
In the months leading up to his unexpected death, Steve was finally able to turn his life around. He entered the “Community Kitchen” culinary program at St Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, had a roof over his head and was making plans for the future. For three months, he was joyful; his life had purpose and direction. We were so happy for him. And then suddenly and without warning, he died.
I watched my brother struggle his entire life. For years, he was in and out of homelessness and was never able to overcome the pain of abandonment he experienced as a child. I miss him and mourn him more than I can tell you.
Steve was a passionate and outstanding home cook and baker, and he had great hope that he would bring his talents to The Lita Project®. In ways that we never expected, I know he will.
Praying you blessings for the journey,
Yvonne (aka, Lita)
