Santa Claus hitched a ride to the Farmbrook section of Levittown in Bristol Township on Saturday to visit a very special, sick little baby.
Hannah Ginion, also known in the Facebook community as Hannah Bear from Hope for Hannah, will be celebrating her first Christmas this year with family and friends.
But future Christmas celebrations are uncertain for the little girl.
Diagnosed in June with Krabbe, a genetic disorder that affects the central and peripheral nervous systems, Hannah was given a life expectancy of 13 months to two years. She will celebrate her first birthday on Jan. 15.
"We have amazing support from the community,” said Vicki Pizzullo, Hannah’s mom, while holding back tears.
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| Photo of Hannah Ginion by Diane Davies-Dixon |
“When we were first told she was dying we thought we would be all alone,” said Pizzullo, her voice cracking with emotion.
Before Santa and his friends with the Levittown Fire Co. No. 2 of Bristol Township and Edgley Fire Co. of Tullytown visited, Hannah’s big sisters Samantha Dydak, 11, and Faith Dydak, 13, patiently awaited his arrival.
Samantha was excited for Hannah to meet Santa.
Although it was the first day of winter, it felt more like the first day of spring as the leftover snow was melting away, leaving puddles of mud.
But the weather was perfect for Hannah to be outside dressed in her “Santa loves me” shirt and red tulle skirt, while awaiting her special visitors.
The family is very cautious about taking her out and risking her becoming more ill.
Just after 2 p.m., the sound of motorcycles revving their engines could be heard, followed by the sound of sirens blaring from afar.
Neighbors, family and friends of Hannah’s circled around her, some of them dressed in their Hope for Hannah shirts.
And then the visitors appeared, a parade of supporters dedicated to Hannah. Children marched down the street displaying a banner that read “Hannah you are OUR hero! –- Your friends at the Edgely and Levittown Fire Companies.”
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| Photo by Diane Davies-Dixon |
As the choir sang “Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World,” Santa stood by Hannah and her parents jingling his bells and singing to her. Then the community joined in. Many of the singers had tears streaming down their cheeks.
“Words can’t describe how nice this is,” said Justin Ginion, Hannah’s dad.
He also echoed Pizzullo’s comment about feeling all alone in this fight at one time, but now seeing that they have the love and support of the community and family to help them stay strong.
Community members took turns walking up to Vicki Pizzullo and giving her gifts for Hannah.
The Levittown Rescue Squad donated a back-up suction machine, which Hannah’s life depends on. Hannah once had her machine break and had to wait hours for a new one.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Pizzullo accepted the gifts through tears with a smile.
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| Photo by Diane Davies-Dixon |
The Levittown firefighters donated a Christmas tree to the family a few weeks ago and decided to work together with their Edgely counterparts to bring even more Christmas cheer to Hannah’s home, according to Carl Pierce, chief of Edgely Fire Department.
Before the community parted, Pizzullo thanked them.
“We are looking forward to Christmas and making the best of it,” said Pizzullo. “She’s our angel.”
“Her sisters are so brave and strong for being so little.”
Amazed by the support from the community from the very beginning, the family is grateful for the memories the community is helping them create, said Annemarie Jordan, Hannah’s grandmother.
“These are nice memories to look back on,” said Jordan. “We are so thankful to everyone who came out.”http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/communities/bristol/from-santa-with-love-a-special-first-christmas/article_9c7665a7-b53c-54e4-88d7-263a71c3d006.html
