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A good brother
Vindicator Staff Writer
Workers who normally make steel have instead made an 11-year-old boy’s wish come true.
Even though they’re working reduced hours because of the economy, employees of V&M Star, a seamless-pipe producer in Youngstown, raised the funds needed for Ricky Pasco’s trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. They’re sponsoring the trip via the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, which grants wishes to children with serious or life-threatening injuries.
Ricky didn’t pick the theme-park fantasy land for his own enjoyment. He picked it for his little sister.
“I wanted to see the look on Mackenzie’s face when she sees the princesses at the castle,” he said of his 7-year-old sister.
He, however, is looking forward to a roller coaster ride.
The siblings and their parents, Kim and Rick Pasco, live in Hubbard.
Gwen Venetti, V&M plant nurse, said Ricky is the third child the employees have helped with a wish. Even though employees are working reduced hours, they came through to help a child in need, she said.
Ricky has hypogamma globulin anemia, which his mother described as a “variable immune deficiency.”
“Ricky had severe asthma ... sometimes to the point he had to be hospitalized,” she said. “He got a lot of infections.”
It wasn’t until Ricky saw Dr. John Venglarcik, an infectious disease specialist at Forum Health, that he was correctly diagnosed in October 2008.
The Pascos explained that Ricky doesn’t have the ability to fight infections.
Every Wednesday, Ricky gets an infusion of gamma globulin, which is administered at home. His parents were trained in the three-hour process that involves three tubes with half-inch-long needles that go into Ricky’s stomach. Kim Pasco, a stay-at-home mom, usually gives Ricky the treatment.
“It keeps up his immune system,” she said.
“My mom was so scared she would hurt me,” Ricky said of his mom’s training.
During the process, Ricky occupies himself by watching TV, reading or trying to take a nap.
“It hurt me to see Ricky suffer,” Kim Pasco said. “But, I know the hurt is saving his life.”
Ricky’s illness has changed the lives of the Pasco family.
Because Ricky is susceptible to “catching” common diseases that could be devastating to him, he has been tutored and home-schooled since the second grade.
Ricky’s condition also has restricted what would be normal interaction with friends.
“Sometimes ... we seem overprotective. ... but if someone has even a cold, he could get it,” Kim Pasco said.
The couple has made changes to the family’s home, including an air purifier and radiant (water) heat.
The Pascos said their son’s medical care is covered through Ohio program, Care Source. The nonprofit managed health care plan meets needs of underserved consumers in Ohio through a contract with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Rick works for Blue Sky Therapy in Champion, where he multi-tasks in clerical and marketing jobs.
“They’re very understanding,” he said.
Though the Pasco family is excited about its first vacation in years, the 10-day trip presents obstacles.
They are driving to Florida because Ricky can’t fly due to a heart condition.
Dr. Venglarcik also has made arrangements with a doctor in Florida, just in case he’s needed, Rick Pasco said, and the hotel has been warned about Ricky’s special room requirements: a smoke-free, pet-free environment also free of potent cleaning products.
They also will have Ricky’s rescue inhaler and nebulizer, a machine for the lungs, with them.