Manhasset Minute: Manhasset Press; December 18, 1997

I have always felt eyes and the expressions mirrored in them were a good way to measure an individual and his or her intentions. Although it has never been the sole criteria for a personal assessment, I have found that on many occasions the impressions I first received in this fashion have been target for measure of the person.

I would like to take a moment to tell you about the most remarkable pair of eyes it was my pleasure to meet recently. They belong to a beautiful young lady named Morgan. She and her mother Michelle were guests at a recent assembly at St. Mary's Elementary School, where they came to speak to the children about CMV - cytomegalovirus, the disease 3 1/2 year old Morgan has.

In a familial atmosphere, Morgan's mother related to the students the history of this illness and its severe effects on her daughter. Couching descriptions of the extensive medical implications of this disease in terms the students could comprehend, the children learned that Morgan suffers from a profound hearing and vision loss, brain damage which causes mental and motor retardation, and a seizure disorder. Doctors have traced the disease to a virus Morgan's mom contracted during her pregnancy.

As disheartening as this sounds, the children at assembly came away with the impression of a beautiful, courageous child who is greatly loved by her family. This I learned from my daughter and her friends, who did understand the severity of the illness, but focused on the loveliness of the person.

The students of St. Mary's have temporarily adopted this Manhasset neighbor. This week is Morgan Franzenberg week at St. Mary's Elementary School, and a collection is being taken to help the family offset some of the enormous medical bills and expenses caring for a child with such special needs entails.

Sir Thomas Browne wrote, "There are mystically in our faces certain characters which carry in them the motto of our souls." Although I had only the briefest introduction to Morgan and Mrs. Franzenberg, it was the extraordinary gaze of the child that shall remain with me. Her motto, as reflected in her eyes, was one of love and determination, as yet unspoken. Her mother agrees, and hopes that one day Morgan will speak. Like all mothers, she would like to hear the word "Mama."

Anyone wishing to give a gift to this fund may call the school at 627-0184, or send a check, made out to St. Mary's Elementary School, on behalf of Morgan.

This is Morgan's mother's story -

I remember being pregnant with my second child with everyone asking, "Do you want a boy or a girl?" My reply was, "I don't care as long as it's healthy." After a difficult pregnancy, my second daughter, Morgan, came to us on March 17, 1994. The doctors said she was perfectly healthy. Apgar scores of 8 and 9. At 10 weeks of age we noticed she was regressing developmentally. At six months old a hole was found in her left retina during an eye exam for a clogged tearduct. That led to her hospitalization where a series of tests were run and she was finally diagnosed with Congenital CMV (cytomegalovirus).

The disease causes Morgan to have a profound hearing loss, a vision loss in her left eye, brain damage which causes mental and motor retardation, and a seizure disorder. So much for my perfectly healthy child! Apparently I contracted this infection during my first month of pregnancy which explains why I was so sick for nine months with a cold. My doctors failed to diagnose this infection. It so happens that CMV is a common virus among 50 percent of the adult population in the United States. It only causes complications to the fetus when the mother contracts it for the first time during pregnancy. I remember feeling an overwhelming amount of guilt when Morgan was diagnosed - I was the one who gave her this infection. My guilt then turned to anger. I was so angry at God for doing this to me. Why me? Why her? Why, why, why?

I finally answered my own question. Even though I never thought I could handle raising a handicapped child, God felt I would be a great mother for her. Now I'm very thankful that I've been given the chance. Morgan is a strong-willed, determined little girl who has taught me a lot about life. Life is for living, you have to enjoy it for you never know when it will end. We live from day to day never expecting a lot from Morgan, although she has given us so much. She taught me not to take the little things in life for granted. She has a smile that can light up a whole room. She loves people. She will go to a complete stranger and give them a hug that will make their day brighter.

The only thing I wish for my daughter is that she lives a long, healthy, and happy life and that maybe someday I will hear her say the most precious thing to any mother, Ma-ma. She taught me so much in her 3 1/2 years of life, I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Manhasset Minute

By Sharon Abruzzo

Morgan Franzenburg Week at St. Mary's

This is Morgan's mother's story -