By Shandel Richardson, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mar. 11–PLANTATION — She mistakenly thought Daddy lost his hair because of the “medicine.”
A few days ago, South Plantation baseball coach Paul Liotti shaved his head and was asked why by his 2-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn.
“When I cut my hair, she was like, ‘Daddy, your hair fall down. Are you taking medicine, too,’ ” Liotti said. “I said, ‘No, Daddy cut his hair off so I could be like you.’ “
Liotti struggled to hold back the tears while telling the story in the dugout before Wednesday’s game against Deerfield Beach. The emotion builds because it seems so unfair Kaitlyn is in the first inning of her life, yet already faces a nine-run deficit.
In January, she was diagnosed with cancer and the recent start of chemotherapy treatments marked the beginning of her fight against the disease. Since, she has become South Plantation’s unofficial mascot while attending games, providing inspiration as the Paladins (7-2) are off to the best start in school history.
“Baseball is not an emotional game,” assistant coach Kendrick Gomez said. “In football, every play is emotional. Here, you’ve got to create the intensity. We don’t have to do that because this has given the kids that intensity, that motivation to win.”
Liotti, 31, is nicknamed “nomad” among area coaches because he switched jobs so often. Recent stops included Zion Lutheran, North Broward Prep and Broward Community College. He hoped one day to work on the major college level, but that changed when his wife at the time, Allison Crescitelli, became pregnant. The two have since divorced.
At the time, he immediately moved back to high schools so he could be home more, taking a position at Chaminade-Madonna for two years before landing at South Plantation this season.
Everything was in place for a successful start of spring training until Jan. 1, the day Kaitlyn became ill. At first, doctors thought she needed surgery to remove a blockage in her bile duct, between the liver and pancreas. Days later, the family was told to rush to the hospital.
“They don’t call you to come that day if it’s not serious,” Liotti said.
They learned Kaitlyn had a form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, which accounts for about 3 percent of childhood cancers.
Kaitlyn will undergo weekly chemotherapy for six months, with hopes of removing the disease. Even then, there is a chance of the cancer returning or her experiencing problems because of a weakened immune system. Masks are worn often around her to prevent any germ contact. Frequent hand-washing is required, and germ-reducing products litter the rooms.
“She was a healthy little girl, and all of a sudden they’re talking cancer,” Liotti said. “I feel blessed they’re telling me six months of chemo and then she’s going to be OK. But at the same time, they’re real cautious with their wording. They never give you 100 percent guarantees.”
A supportive coaching staff has allowed Liotti, who thought about stepping down, to take time off when needed. He was rarely around during the preseason and misses an occasional practice.
Despite being in his first season, the players had formed a strong bond with Liotti. Many call his American history class the most exciting part of the day. Eventually, they realized their coach would be unavailable certain days.
Support has overflowed from the community. Both parents missed work in January, so the school has plans for a fundraiser to help the family with any financial burdens. A Web site was started and the comments section is full of messages from relatives, friends and even strangers.
“Hi, Kaitlyn,” writes one post. “You don’t know us, but … just want to let you know we have been and will continue to pray for you.”
Despite the separation, Liotti has moved back in with Allison, who has lived with her parents the last year and a half after her home was destroyed during Hurricane Wilma. The “cramped” feeling is expected to leave when Allison and Kaitlyn move into their new house at the end of this month. The excitement of Kaitlyn finally having her own room caused Allison to purchase a princess-style bedroom set.
“We probably can’t afford it right now,” Allison said. “But right now, whatever Kaitlyn wants, we’re going to try to get it for her.”
It is her reward for being so courageous during this time. Liotti admits to being reduced to tears because the situation has been overwhelming some days.
“She’s so resilient with every-thing she’s going through,” Liotti said. “I never realized that I would look to a 2-year-old to get the definition of toughness. When I feel vulnerable, when I feel weak, I look to her. She’s my strength.”
No moment would have made him more proud than Friday afternoon. As Liotti was preparing for a pivotal district game against Cypress Bay, Kaitlyn sat in a hospital bed at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. She laughed while playing with stickers and yearned for her Tigger and Elmo stuffed animals that her mother accidentally left at home.
The joyful mood changed when two nurses entered the room, and Kaitlyn began to cry as she knew they were going to give her the “medicine.”
Two employees have to subdue Kaitlyn and screams follow the painful shot.
But after completion, with a teardrop still hanging, she showed the fight everyone talks about by loudly saying three words that left no dry eyes in the room:
“I did it!”
Yes, she did.
—–
Copyright (c) 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Comments