2008 grad needs new heart

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

A doctor initially blamed his yearlong symptoms on ‘senioritis.’

GIRARD — Most people say Jordon Baer has a heart as big and strong as humanly possible — metaphorically. But in the physical world, Jordon’s heart needs to be replaced.

The 18-year-old 2008 Girard High School graduate was diagnosed last November with restrictive cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart-muscle disease, which has also caused pulmonary hypertension. Medical treatment is under way to help with the symptoms, but a heart transplant is necessary.

A benefit dance with Chinese and silent auctions will take place Saturday to raise funds for Jordon’s medical needs. The dance will be from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Girard Eagles on Wilson Avenue. DJ Cosmo will provide the entertainment, and there will be free food and a cash bar. A 50/50 raffle also will take place.

Tickets for the dance will be available at the door for $10.

The silent and Chinese auctions will take place both during the dance and from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday. Items in the auction include products from the Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Kelly Pavlik and Ohio and Youngstown state universities. There also will be YSU season tickets, jewelry, golf packages, gift certificates and more.

Dave Baer, Jordon’s father, said the diagnosis came shortly after his son finished high school and was set to start the next chapter in his life. The news shocked the entire family.

“He was feeling sick all summer and most of the senior year. The doctor at first said he was just feeling down with ‘senioritis.’ In September they did an EKG, and that led us to a cardiologist and to the diagnosis,” he said.

It left the family stunned, Dave said, but Jordon quickly gathered himself and again began looking for a brighter tomorrow. Jordon sometimes has bad days, sometimes needing to have his heart “shocked” into rhythm, but overall he maintains his upbeat outlook, his dad said.

The family is still waiting on future diagnosis, Dave Baer said, but Jordon also may be in need of a lung replacement.

It seems to be no surprise that those associated with the school system would want to help raise funds for Jordon. Many at the school say the quiet unassuming young man could leave an impression.

Judy Barber, a teacher at the school, taught him as a freshman in an English class. She still remembers how pleasant he was to have in class.

“Jordon was very quiet and the type of person you just didn’t hear say a bad thing about anyone else,” she said. “He is just very kind and very bright.”

While a student at Girard, Jordon played trombone and baritone in the band and was a member of National Honor Society and Beta Club.

Band Director Don Opsitnik was Jordon’s band director, but has not seen him in more than a year. Still, the instructor had nothing but kind words to say about his former student.

“He is a great kid, hard worker and great personality. Jordon is just one of those kind of kids that is a pleasure to have in band,” he said. “He really didn’t leave any kind of impression because he did everything right.”

Jordon is planning to leave the same impression on educators and fellow students at the collegiate level. Graduating seventh in his class, Jordon was offered scholarships to Youngstown State University and Indiana and is anxious to get started with his college education as a graphic design major once the operation and recovery are complete.

Donations for the Jordan Baer Transplant Fund can be made at any Huntington Bank.

jgoodwin@vindy.com