FOR 15 years, Wentworth’s Ford Hartze gave his family a reason to hope when fear threatened to take over, reason to smile when trips to the hospital became routine and a reason to thank God for every moment they were given.

This boy who fought so fiercely to live took his final breath recently, leaving behind a family whose hearts are shattered by a loss they spent 15 years praying they would never have to face.

Ford was diagnosed with Eisenmenger Syndrome when he was an infant. It is a rare and life-threatening condition that affects the heart and lungs necessitating transplants.

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Constant pain

What felt like a routine trip to the hospital for oxygen, turned out to be the family’s last trip to the hospital. Alecia Hartze, Ford’s mother, said that Ford had recently been suffering with severe stomach cramps and a pain in his neck because of blood surging too intensely through the artery.

“He was admitted to hospital where they started him on morphine, just a small dose which initially eased the pain. But, his stomach began to cramp again and they could not administer another dose of morphine so soon after the first dose,” said Alecia.

For Alecia, watching her son endure such pain was agonising. There was one severe cramp that caused Ford to clutch his heart and say that his heart is stopping before taking his final breath.

“When his heart stopped, it felt like mine did as well. My dad rushed in from outside the room to calm me down,” said Alecia.

The nurses tried in vain to resuscitate Ford. Alecia said the doctors believe that Ford’s organ quality deteriorated over time due to the lack of oxygen being supplied, so even when he was on oxygen at the hospital his body was not absorbing it. 

Love prevails

When Alecia’s partner, Richard, who was like a father to Ford, arrived, he joined Alecia and Ford’s younger brother, Oceàno, to say their final goodbyes. Ford’s brothers, Clinton and Oceàno, spent their final moments with him reminiscing, gently playing with his hair and holding his hands one last time.

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“I don’t even know how I feel. It feels like my whole world has been flipped upside down. I have been by Ford’s side for such a long time, and I just can’t believe that this is the end. I am devastated and heartbroken by the fact that his end was filled with pain,” she said.

Amid the heartbreak, Alecia finds comfort in knowing that she gave her son everything she could. Just before his passing, Alecia was able to fulfil her one wish to bring her son home. “Ford wanted nothing more but to be back home with us, he was so happy. We appreciate the fact that we had that time with him,” she said.

A heart that continues to give

In one final act of kindness, Alecia said that the transplant team had asked if Ford would be willing to donate his corneas to two people in need. Alecia said as someone who had to go through the donor system with Ford, she knows the pain in waiting for organs to become available and she knew how if the organs were available how it could have changed Ford’s life.

Alecia happily did what she knew her son would want to do and that is help others smile.

Appreciation to the community

Alecia said that she is truly grateful for all the support she has received from the community. 

 “The support went a long way in helping Ford live a life well lived. I am thankful for all the ups and downs the journey has brought because it made him stronger and pushed him to get better every time we thought it was the end. We were able to create beautiful memories, and he was able to meet many milestones. I encourage everyone to support people where you can because every bit of it helps” she said.

For Alecia, one of the most meaningful things her son leaves behind is the hope he gave to others who may be fighting battles of their own.

“He was a living hope for everyone,” she said.

Funeral details

Ford’s funeral will take place on October 24 at 10:00 at the New Apostolic Church, 33 Clausia Road, Merewent. All those wishing to pay their respects are welcome to come to the church.

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