My name is Danielle Moruzzi, I am 16 years old and live in Saugerties, New York. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis in August of 2006. I started not feeling well, unable to do simple chores such as lift dishes to put them into the cabinet. My symptoms became worse over the period of a few weeks. My eyelids were so swollen one day I could barely open my eyes. I went to my pediatrician and that’s when I received my diagnosis. I had to wait one week to see a rheumatologist in Albany, NY but she was not a pediatric rheumatologist and could not treat me. She contacted Dr. Rothman at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Mass and got me in the next day.

That is when I learned more about my disease and when my treatment started. I learned that this disease involves muscle and skin. My muscles were very sore, especially my neck and arms. There were many things I could not do. I had to get large does of steroids and other medications to help stop the disease. This lasted for months and I had to travel back and forth to Shriners in Springfield and Albany Medical Center. It was about 8 months of IV treatments before I saw a drastic improvement in my health. By January 2008 I was in remission. In April 2010 I had a flare up and again went through the treatment process. This time I felt better so much faster because Dr. Rothman knew what medications worked best for me from the previous time. I am currently feeling much better and back to myself.

I am a junior in high school and training to get my private pilot’s license at Ulster BOCES and River Aviation. A few months ago, the fabulous Dr. Rothman asked if I would be interested in the “Pilot for a Day” program. I did not know what to expect. Mom, Dad, friend Kayla and I were escorted from our hotel to Westover ARB by a State Police escort and we met Dr. Rothman there. As soon as I got there I was introduced to everyone, the 439th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Swain, Chief Master Sgr. Skawski, Lt. Rachels, SMSgt Zacharics, TSgt Counch, my photographer and a few others. They explained what was going to happen throughout the day. In front of 2,500 air-force reserves, I took an oath and was sworn in. I received my jacket, went to the air traffic control simulator and then into the actual control tower.

Then I got to fly the C-5 Galaxy simulator with Lt. Rachels, which was so much fun! From there we ate lunch and moved onto the security forces. They showed me some of the weapons used and the night vision goggles. Then we went to the explosive ordnance disposal. They showed me the robots they had and my friend Kayla and I got to play with them. With the robot, I made it pick up a hammer and carry it across the room and place it on the table. From there we went into the actual C-5 and got a complete tour of it, see the cargo area, the soldier seating area and look out the back to the tail. The plane is so big and it was so cool getting to go inside and see how everything worked. Then we went to the Wing Commander’s Conference Room where he gave me a coin and a plaque and I got to say thank you to everyone for a wonderful day.

It was the best day I could possibly ask for. They keep asking if I had any questions, but I was speechless all day. I wish I could go do it all again. Pilot for a Day is a great opportunity, and an amazing experience!” 

Danielle Moruzzi

I have had time to reflect on my son Andrew’s December 2010 trip to Breckenridge, CO for The Hartford Ski Spectacular.  It was an amazing and unexpected opportunity for Andrew, and I was so excited for him to participate.  After attending this event with my family and watching Andrew and the other athletes there, I wanted to take this time to thank all the family, friends and tremendous organizations that have gotten him to this point.  When Andrew first became ill with encephalitis, we had no idea if or how much he would recover.  When he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of six months, we watched him struggle to crawl, stand, walk and finally run in his own special way.  I never imagined that he would be playing tennis with Ivan Lendl, waterskiing on Lake Zoar, playing baseball, teaching other kids how to ski at Mount Snow in Vermont, and downhill racing with Paralympic Olympic athletes in Colorado.  He is full of surprises and I am sure there are many more to come.

To all those who work and volunteer to enrich the lives of disabled individuals, I would like to say thank you!  Your hard work does pay off and Andrew is proof of it.  Every contact we have made has led to another contact starting with The Springfield Shriners Hospital, NEHSA, STRIDE, CHD, Leaps of Faith, AbilityPLUS at Mount Snow, Hospital for Special Care, Ivan Lendl Wheelchair Sports Camp, DSUSA, Camp Harkness, TOPSoccer, All Out Adventures, Challenger Baseball and the Enfield, CT School System.  Our lives have been enriched by these organizations and countless others.  The friendships we have made will last a lifetime. 

                Thanks again, Sheryl Haraghey

December 2010, Andrew in Breckenridge, CO

In December 2010, the Brownie Girl Scouts, Troop 20155 of Wilbraham, Mass adopted a Shriners Hospitals for Children-Springfield patient.

Read story published in The Wilbraham-Hampden Times, page 6.