Help for Hayden

Members of the Shumway Fire Department, in participation with Roses for Linda, spent the morning December 20 bringing joy to a young child and his family that has had to deal with the hardships of a rare condition.

The young child is Hayden Apke, 7-year old son of Stacey and Ryan Apke of rural Shumway. Hayden has been battling with what doctors believe to be Camptodactyly - Arthropathy - Coxa Vara - Pericarditis Syndrome, which causes his body to fill with fluid faster then what his body’s internal systems can compensate. Hayden’s story was brought to the attention of Roses for Linda, whom felt Hayden was a perfect candidate for Roses for Linda to host a “Day for Hayden” event.

Hayden started his day with not one, but TWO fire engines at his house to give him, his family and a few close friends a ride around the Shumway Fire District. Once everyone was aboard the Engines, it was off to the Gabby Goat for Breakfast with Hayden, his family and newfound friends thanks to owner Jack Thompson.

The fun and surprises didn’t stop there; as soon as breakfast was over, it was off to Walmart to visit Manager Bob Lakin where Hayden and his family were treated like royalty and had the opportunity to meet a jolly ole fella in a big red suit named Santa Claus who took time out of his schedule to take part in Hayden’s day. Despite facing a set of health challenges, Hayden is like any other boy his age and with the run of the store, he picked out a Monster Truck, silly string, a bicycle and IPod with full support of Santa, of course. As soon as he stepped off the fire truck back at his house, the IPod was opened and he was searching for batteries for the monster truck.

Moments of complete joy like this for Hayden and his family are few and far between due to the battle he is facing, so Hayden’s new friends had their friends at 2 fast 4 U Productions and K.L. Cleeton videotape the entire event. As soon as the fire trucks were pulling back into the station, the video crew was off to the studio to pull together a finished product for the family.