As we sit and watch our daughter sleeping, safe, comfortable, we’re thinking of the fear and anxiety of the last 90 days. Starting with a simple my chest hurts, to she needs a new heart, our life turned upside down. To see this brave little girl hear bad news, accept it, and then fight. The emotions I’m feeling leaves chills all over my body. Gabby was closer to death than I would ever have imagined. This fight is the only one that matters.
Two boys at home, wondering if they would ever see their sister again. My wife navigating the medical jargon I was all too familiar with. As a family, we came together. The boys maintained the house and pets, put down their sibling issues, and worked together, I’m very proud of them. I was assured in these moments they would grow into good men.
The house split between our home in Paris, and my daughter in Children’s Medical Center Dallas. My wife ever vigilant of both, making sure the semblance of structure remained ever-present. Me the supposed Medical person of our family trying to make sure every detail was in place for her care.
Hospital life is a dangerous place, good intentions from medical staff can have devastating effects. The staff and nurses at Children’s Medical Center Dallas were hard at work to save Gabby, and they did save her. Gabby endured not one but two open-heart surgeries. Cardiac Catheterization, echos, Therapy sessions, medications, and hospital life with grace, humor, and moxie I knew she possessed.
She managed intense pain and discomfort, while the healing process took its time. (pain is still ongoing for gabby). There’s still a nervous feeling in my guts when I think how close we came to losing her. Yet the Barbre family remains intact. We all did what we could.
WE ARE NOT FIGHTING ALONE!!!!
The community of Paris Texas is a small town in northern texas. This community rallied around Gabby and our family. It truly saved us. These are a few of the people We would like to mention. These people truly saved us. I can’t thank them enough. I surely hope We don’t forget anyone.
SKY ATHLETICS
Sky Athletics jumped to our fight without hesitation. Skyler and Cassie Burchinal and Amanda Jackson jumped into our fight with love for Gabby and my family I’ll never forget. They donated their money to our go fund me then immediately began a fundraiser to help our family survive. Amanda and her cheerleaders sent Gabby encouraging cards and messages.
The cheer families worked tirelessly to help set up a silent auction to help our family. The night of the auction, every space was filled in the parking lot, people parked on the streets and walked in to show support for Gabby. This little town showed its love for us. Families from every walk of life showed up and made us feel like a part of this wonderful community. My cup truly runneth over, when I think of all the people who in the middle of a pandemic came to save our family. Skyler and Amanda were so excited to bestow the huge gift that this small community gave us. They asked for nothing in return, they just gave us their love support hugged us and walked away with a big smile. These ARE the people who should be shaping our kids! These are the people who love, what they do! I’m eternally grateful for what they did for our family.
THE RAMSUER BAPTIST CHURCH
I’m proud to say that John and Melanie Brown are our friends. John also happens to be the pastor at this wonderful church. John rallied the church and everyone he knew to get us help. We’ve been a member of this church for 5 years and they came together to help us. John drove to Dallas to see us before Gabby’s first surgery and made several trips to come up to Dallas and pray with us and offer a friendly ear. He kept the congregation praying and was even able to reach out to several people and businesses to ensure that we had what we need. I cannot thank my friend enough. John, Melanie, and Ramsuer Baptist congregation, we love you and We thank you so much.
STEVEN HOLMES
Steven Holmes came into our home as a contractor and simply asked “what do you need?” Steven has a warm smile and told me he was here to help. Steven gathered people from all over Paris to help get the house ready for Gabby’s homecoming. He has done so much for us. He is a kind man, who worked on things that help protect gabby.
PARIS AIR CONDITIONING CO. & SHEET METAL FABRICATION
We came home to find our aging air conditioner was no longer working, the people at Paris Air heard and came right out fixed it. I can’t thank them enough. They asked for nothing and just did it. He told me if I needed anything to let him know. I’m overwhelmed and grateful to those wonderful people.
ROBERT SEIBER
Robert Seiber is a local Painter who heard about Gabby, he dropped what he was doing to help paint Gabby’s room so she could come home to a new room. He worked every evening trying to get it done for Gabby. She’s going to love it! Thank you so much.
BRANDI CROWELL
Brandi Crowell is the mother of one of Gabby’s close friends, Brandi and her lovely daughter and another of Gabby’s friends drove to Dallas and stood on a stairwell in a parking garage so they could see and wave at Gabby from her window! They were able to speak to gabby with a cell phone. There were even present when we got the news on Gabby’s transplant surgery and were so excited to be the ones to tell her! It really helped Gabby’s spirits. Brandi also donated a blanket to gabby that was so soft and fine Gabby held onto it for dear life through all of her struggles. That blanket really does mean so much to her. Gabby thanks you. Brandi and her family have done so much for us we can’t list it all and have become good friends with us and we are great full to have them in our corner.
JACKIE ROBINSON
Jackie was the first person we met when we came to this town. She welcomed us with open arms. She has become an important friend to us. And a special friend to Farraha and gabby. She has been so much help, she is always present and has been such a good friend, she and the women at the Bible study made gabby a beautiful quilted blanket. Gabby cherishes this blanket knowing these amazing ladies put so much time and love into making it. They all sent her off to the hospital with amazing inspiration and thoughtful prayers/cards/activities and love Thank you all so much! We love you!
THE CHRISTIANS HOMESCHOOLERS IN PARIS
This is a small homeschooling community, our children have belonged to for quite some time. Our children have met wonderful friends and so have we. This school has given the kids the opportunity to learn from and experience people from all over North Texas and Oklahoma. They have helped us in so many ways. Gabby already misses her friends and cannot wait to get back there with them.
THE GUILLORY FAMILY
This family has known our family for several years, they are some of the kindest most thoughtful people we have ever met. Keanan and Michelle are just good people, and they love their 7 children. Those children mean so much to gabby. These girls made cards for gabby every week she was in the hospital. Gabby loved trying to guess who made the cards before she read them, getting these cards always made her feel better. Keanan and Michelle are brilliant and jack loves the spirited conversations. Thank you for being there for us.
LIZA SMITH
Lizas’ heart text meant a lot to Farraha, she knew Farraha would not be able to respond all of the time, Liza would just text a heart to her so she knew she was thinking about her. This simple gesture didn’t need a response, but it always made Farraha feel better. Liza also volunteered her time at the auction and helped wherever she could, she always seems to have a comforting smile. You mean the world to Farraha. Thank you.
JOHN AND KERRY ROBERTS (last but not least)
John and Kerry Roberts are some of our oldest friends. I met John while I was in the military and we have had each other’s backs ever since. He and his wife have done so much for us. We don’t see this family enough they live in Eastern Oregon, I had the honor of being his best man at his wedding and he was mine. We love them and hope to see them soon.
We have been afraid to write this thank you, that we might forget to mention someone. We’re sorry and know we can’t mention everyone like we wish we could. If we neglected to mention you know that our appreciation goes far beyond what we could do in this letter. To all of the people who prayed, who sent gabby cards, donated to our family, and showed us their love and support, from the bottom of our hearts thank you.
Gabby’s battle does not end here, she still fights every day. The pain and discomfort are constant. The medication that keeps her body from rejecting this new heart is very hard on her, But we know she can do it. Gabby puts on a brave smile and pushes forward, she amazes us every day. With all the terrifying events we have been through in 2020, we are so thankful that God placed all of you in our lives From the bottom of our hearts Thank you.
Jack, Farraha, Talon, Aidan, and especially Gabby Barbre
