New home for cystic fibrosis suffers opens in Key West
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER
The tens of thousands of Americans – and Canadians – afflicted with cystic fibrosis have a new home in the Southernmost City.
The New York City-based Child Life Society, which opened its Lifeshine Respite/Weissman House 2013 in Key West, has opened another respite here to provide a place for children suffering with the disease to recuperate with their families.
The house, like its predecessor, was a private home purchased by the organization with the intention of converting it to a sterile, mold-free environment where those with the disease can take advantage of the salt air most Key Westers take for granted – and sometimes even see as a nuisance.
A grand opening for the house, at 1000 17th St., was held on Feb. 20.
“Those who suffer from cystic fibrosis need a climate that is very clean, purified, and free of pollution, as well as high in salt,” said Child Life Society Director Rabbi Chaim A. Wolkenfeld. “The kind of climate found in Key West breaks up the mucus in their lungs very quickly, and leaves them all feeling much better. The recovery can be miraculous.”
In fact, since Weissman House opened so many cystic fibrosis sufferers have benefited from their three-week stays there, that plans are underway for the Child Life Society, which receives its funding mostly from private contributions, has planned to open as many as 20 such houses in Key West.
As can be imagined, there’s a long waiting list of those wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity to stay at the houses, which come fully stocked with food, and other necessities of life. The organization even pays for the plane tickets.
It can take up to two years from purchasing a private home to renovate and sterilize it to the point that it’s safe for sufferers of the hereditary and non-contagious disease.
The results are worth it however, said Wolkenfeld, and Key West is the perfect place to make this program happen.
“We found Key West to be the best because it’s the closest to the mainland,” he said. “And if any of our guests run into medical problems, they’re close to help. We’re trying to give the patients and their families support and to give them a life of quality. Ultimately we’d like to be able to help as many people as we can.”
Donations and volunteers are always being sought.
For more information, visit www.childlifesociety.org
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