Seventh Grader, Katy Donchik, Writes A Poem Titled "A Warrior" About Her Papa.

Katy Donchik’s grandfather is a patient at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital ALS Center. She wrote a beautiful poem about her “Papa” in her seventh grade class for a school project. She also shared her story with us:

It all started when my Papa was beginning to have trouble moving his pinky finger on his left hand. We all thought that it was no big deal and that he would heal in no time. I have two younger sisters (Lily and Bridget), and one younger brother (James), and we never thought that he would get worse. No one in the family had any idea that this minor finger trouble was Lou Gehrig's Disease. None of us thought that my Papa could lose his life because of this. However, we were totally wrong. My Papa was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease in November of 2008. My Papa doesn't seem scared at all.

He could be saying, "Why me?" but he doesn't. He smiles and treats every day as a precious gift. It's hard to watch him get weaker but I'm going to try to be as optimistic as I can. My whole family is extremely sad but we try to smile and enjoy every moment we have with him. My family, my Nana and Papa went on a vacation to the British Virgin Islands for Easter. When we got back from our vacation, school resumed. I go to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Staten Island, New York. My seventh grade class was assigned a poetry project and we had to write a poem. My teacher, Ms. Laskowski, told us that we should write about something we feel strongly about or something we can explain very well. I already knew what I was going to write about... my Papa.

I handed in my project and two days later my teacher said that she wanted to talk to me. She told me that my poem was beautiful and that she would recommend publishing it to help create awareness for ALS. My principal, Mrs. Santangelo, was very supportive as well. (She'd be happy to answer any questions you have.) I sent my poem to the ALS Association and since then it has been published on the web and I've been asked to help out in ALS Awareness Day on Staten Island scheduled for June 19th. I'm hoping to start a fundraiser in my school next year. Not many people know about ALS. I'm hoping to spread the word and help the doctors find a cure. My Papa has taught me many things but the most important thing is this...every day is a gift from God, treat it like one. I just hope I'll have millions of "gifts" left with my Papa.

A Warrior
by Katy Donchik

He always is so nice, so funny, so sweet,
He certainly does not deserve this devastating feat.

He always wanted to camp or go on a simple hike,
He even taught my mother how to ride her bike.

He always could do work with a hammer and a nail,
Now he cannot because his fingers will fail.

The night that I found out, I shed a million tears,
I had a right to though, with everything to fear.

I admire his bravery; he just goes on with life,
Even when he was diagnosed with this horrible strife.

No doctors have a cure, for this horrible disease,
And I guess that is why every night I get down on my knees.

God is our only hope; the doctors have no clue,
God will you please guide them to do what they have to do.

My Papa is a warrior, ready to fight to his death,
I know that he will fight till he takes his final breath.

I ask you all to pray, please pray every day,

And maybe God will take his ALS away.