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us all how precious life is But last Wednesday, that was the furthest thing for his mind, as he hopped around the course, meeting famous people, some notâ€"soâ€"famous people, getting autographs, and trading stories. And the icing on the cake came when he was presented with a brand new twoâ€"wheeler by honorary chairman and former NHL great Darry! Sittler just before his Mom spoke. "Kind of a hard act to follow," Darlene chuckled as she came to the microphone Perhaps, Darlene, but if ever there was anyone up to the task, it was you and your young son Elliott. Bless you both, for sharing your story, for showing such courage, and for reminding mera Readac ie re in For Elliott Longâ€"Thompson, nothing in life can be taken for granted. His heart disease also impacts on other internal organs, with indications that further major surgery may be necessary . Sn ioi ieiidn Aalickd been to have Elliott sit on the sidelines watching older brother Oliver play t ball. A recent medical procedure, however, has made it possible for Elliott to play this year, and there weren‘t many dry eves in the place Wednesday when Darlene described the feeling of watching the sheer delight on his face as he went to the tee to hit his first ball. Normal kid stuff, the kind many of us take so often for granted. He is also a very lucky young man to have Darlene for a mother Her warmth and sensitivity are clearly evident, as are her strength and intestinal fortitude that surely she has had to draw on often in dealing with the stresses and heartaches of Elliott‘s circumstance. Darlene, the founder of a support group Special Hearts for children and their families facing the perils of heart disease in the young, was glowing in her tribute to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and how research and new techniques have given Elliott a life he couldn‘t have had several PAGE 4 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY made In a similar vein, I can also have my heartstrings tugged by youngsters right here in our own community. One such lad is sixâ€"yearâ€"old Elliott Longâ€"Thompson. I met Elliott last Wednesday at the Heart Matters Celebrity Golf Tournament at Conestoga Country Club. And after hearing his story, told mostly by his Mom Darlene at the tournament dinner, the best memory I have of the day is not of a 40â€"foot putt, or a great prize won, but of young Elliott, and how he has bravely tackled everything thrown in his way in six short vears And believe me, there‘s been plenty, ever since it was discovered that Elliott suffered from serious heart problems. Several major operations, numerous other procedures, and 46 intravenous hookâ€"ups later, Elliott stood tall as the true ‘celebrity" at Wednesday‘s event Ironicallv. to know his mother Darlene and to hear her speak so matter of factly of Elliott‘s trials. is to know that all she has ever wanted for her secondâ€"born son is not calabhrite statue hig 2 it t Especially gutâ€"wrenching are the stories and photos of innocent children being killed, maimed or psychologically wounded, not only in these pathetic conflicts, but even as they try to escape them. All, in an attempt at a fleeting chance at a new life, in a new country, a haven from the war, the terror, and destruction most of them have known all their short lives. Embarrassingly so, I admit to being far more moved by the photos I see and stories I hear of these young tots, now that I have children of my own. I shudder to even think of how I would feel if they were ever subjected to the same treatment youngsters halfway around the world are an a daily hasi. Most poignant was Darlene‘s description of how tough it‘s esd ras M 7 W B 1 Surely there isn‘t a one among us who isn‘t aghast at the images of human right atrocities perpetrated daily in our world hot spots In this event everyone is on Elliott‘s side ittle more level for him . to know his mother Darlene and to hear her speak t factly of Elliott‘s trials, is to know that all she has d for her secondâ€"born son is not celebrity status, but a wing a normal kid, doing normal kid stuff. Elliott \erv many of those chances, but with inroads being it and stroke research, the playing field is getting Nsntc in 2. W 1 Ifway around the world are on a‘aâ€"a_ilvy bajs_x:‘ vein, I can also have my heartstrings tugged by PAE CoaCE : C ‘ry lucky young man to have Darlene for a nth and sensitivity are clearly evident, as are intestinal fortitude that surely she has had to dealing with the stresses and heartaches of ’ THAT‘S LIFE , AUGUST 12, 1992 uinsy in ininnaungpd