Breeleigh Thomason likes to shop, get her hair and nails done and act like a girly-girl. She also rides a four-wheeler so crazy her sister, Katie, won’t ride with her. She plays with her bulldog, Bella, and teases her little brother, Landon. In other words, she’s a typical almost-14 year old. Except that she’s not typical. Breeleigh has cystic fibrosis which makes her life different than most teenagers.
If you were to meet Breeleigh, you might not notice anything unusual about her. She’s beautiful and articulate. She’s loving and caring. She loves to watch movies. “I especially like comedies and Disney and I really liked Minions,” she enthuses. It’s only when you talk with her about school and her intimate knowledge of Egleston Children’s Hospital that you realize something is different. Breeleigh has to be homeschooled for now. Her mom, Becky, has to give her breathing treatments four times a day. Heather Hawkins serves as her homebound teacher and connection to North Habersham Middle School.
Although she’s not at school, the students think of her often. When she was hospitalized in October her classmates stood in for her at the school yard sale. The sale was organized as a fundraiser for North Habersham’s 8th grade class field trip to Charleston this spring. “It’s been really neat that the kids pitched in and raised money for Breeleigh when she had to be whisked away (because of a medical emergency) last fall,” Becky says. Breeleigh says she’s amazed at the support. “My friends have really pulled through for me and other kids.”
Becky is an LPN. She’s making the trip to Charleston with the group as support for Breeleigh. She’ll be Breeleigh’s travel buddy and roommate. Breeleigh is excited to hang around with her friend Gabby, too. They’ll travel in groups so that support will always be nearby. Hawkins is driving her car so that there will be extra transportation if it’s needed.
As for the Charleston itinerary, Breeleigh can’t wait to get to Bubba Gump’s Restaurant. She’s also looking forward to spending the night with her classmates on a decommissioned US aircraft carrier that now serves as a museum. “Staying on the USS Yorktown is going to be an experience in itself,” Becky says. “Breeleigh has been watching [the movie] Titanic.” Which is why, Breeleigh adds, “I’m never going on a cruise!”
Lots to do and look forward to
As excited as she is about her class trip to Charleston, Breeleigh’s had other things to do and look forward to. Friday she attended the 8th grade dance at North Habersham and, by all accounts, had a blast! She’s also busy sewing to support a mission project in Haiti. “She wanted a sewing machine for Christmas,” explains her mom. “How many 13-year-olds want a sewing machine?” The only problem was that neither Breeleigh nor her mom knew how to sew. “So we asked Ms. Hawkins if she knew how and she said, ‘As a matter of fact, I do.’” Breeleigh is now making pillows and soon will start making pillowcase dresses for underprivileged girls in Haiti.
And then, of course, there’s school. Math is Breeleigh’s favorite subject. She says her 2-year-old brother Landon “helps by coloring all over my papers.” She’s really close to Landon since she’s home with him so much and says she’ll miss him while she’s away. Dad, Steven, will hold down the family fort while Breeleigh and her mom are in Charleston.
Countdown to Charleston: Students Say Thanks!
This year’s class trip promises to be special for the 8th graders at North Habersham Middle School, especially Breeleigh whose life is punctuated by doctor’s visits and hospital stays and whose health often keeps her separated from her peers. Still, even in her absence, she inspires them. “Breeleigh is a brave young girl who continues to show her classmates that, even through adversity and beyond the unexpected, life can be fun and beautiful, exciting and good,” Hawkins says. “Breeleigh lives her life full of happy and joy.”
Full of happy and joy. How many people can claim that? Even those with far less to complain about usually find it easier to grumble than be glad, but not Breeleigh. Despite all of her struggles she’ll tell you she’s grateful and blessed. She has lots of people in her life who love and care about her and lots to look forward to as the countdown to Charleston continues.
