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     Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 495 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.180.104  |
 Carl Roberts (left) helps Thomas Moslander, 10, bring in his first catfish of the day Monday on Rend Lake. The fishing experience was granted through the United Special Sportsman Alliance that specializes in sending critically ill and disabled youth on outdoor adventures. Fishing to forget: Children leave behind hospitals for a day of fun BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN Monday, June 23, 2008 WHITTINGTON - Maybe Thomas Moslander, 10, didn't catch the most fish, or even the biggest, but for a few moments Monday, he could forget. Forget, that is, about the date he has today at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center for another open-heart surgery. "They just weren't biting. I only caught one fish, so the fishing wasn't very good. But it was fun, a lot of fun, and it made me not think about my surgery. That made me happy, because I am scared, very, very scared," the Granite City boy said. Moslander is one of eight critically ill or special needs children who participated in a fishing getaway at the Rend Lake Resort that started Sunday and ends today. The children are from Illinois, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Indiana. The annual getaway, sponsored by the United Special Sportsman Alliance and the Rend Lake Resort, brings the children and their families together with professional anglers for three days of fishing and fun. Moslander, who suffers from congenital heart defects, has undergone surgery "so many times, I lost count. He had his first surgery within 24 hours of his birth and his most recent one was two months ago," his mother, Kim, said. "So to be able to do something like this, with the whole family, it's good for everybody. Everybody gets to go out and have a good time." Moslander will eventually require a heart-lung transplant, "Or else I could die,"" he said. The getaway at the resort was just what the doctor ordered for Thomas and his five siblings, his mother said. "As you might figure, the stress is unbelievable, on all of us," she said. "I lost my job last August so we are pretty strapped. To do stuff as a family, we have to do things that are either free or almost free," she said. The getaway at the lake is free for the families, USSA president and founder Brigid O'Donoghue said. O'Donoghue started the non-profit alliance in 2000 to give free hunting, fishing, camping or canoeing trips to the children and their families and provide them with a respite from their troubles. She said she couldn't do it without the support of all the donors and volunteers. All of the pro anglers donate their time to the event, she said, and resort owner John Reilly donates room and board for the families and pros. "John truly believes in what we are doing. He is a very generous man with a very big heart. And the pro anglers, I can't say enough about them. They are the best," O'Donoghue said. "With the price of fuel climbing and the cost of the trials these families are already going through, they usually can't afford a vacation." Machelle Mays of Harrisburg brought her two sons, Isaiah and Israel, to the resort for the event. "We've never gone fishing or anything like this. It's awesome," Mays said. Isaiah, 6, has had three open heart surgeries, suffering a stroke after the second one, while Israel, 2, had a stroke either before or at birth, doctors believe. "When we got up this morning, Isaiah said, 'Thank you, God, for this trip.' He feels happy, blessed and thankful for this. He isn't taking it for granted, so it's very special," Mays said. And while Isaiah got a chance to see a "long fish with whiskers," he was much too busy piloting the boat with his professional anglers/pals Stanley and Daine Garner, to worry about making the catch of the day. "I drove and I was pretty good. It was awesome," he said. The Garners, of Huron, Tenn., both members of Danny King's Punch Bait fishing team, were grateful to have the opportunity to meet the Mays family and to participate in the event for the first time. "We took a week's vacation to do this. You just don't know what it means to us, and to them, to be able to do this," Daine Garner said. "We will definitely, definitely come back, and we'll get more (pros) to come if we can." Pro Jeff Dodd of Brazil, Tenn., a member of the Tracker State fishing team, said the time spent with the children and their families is unforgettable. "It doesn't stop here. The boy I took fishing last year, he's like my kinfolk now," Dodd said. "We talk, we e-mail. It's a bond and it's the greatest thing I've ever done in my life. The greatest thing ever. I get just as much, if not more out of it than they do. All of us, we usually worry about the small stuff, but this has taught me there are more important things in life." beckymalk@gmail.com 927-5633 | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 496 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.180.104 |
 Update: Tommy had his surgery and was only on the ventilator for 24 hours. This has never happened this quickly before and is consider to be a very remarkable recovery. When he was able to speak he explained to his mother that he really wants to go fishing at the Wisconsin event. We plan to make that wish come true; we hope everyone continues to keep him and his family in their prayers. God bless you Tommy we all love you and your family!! Brigid O’Donoghue | ||
| Godspeedtackle Member Username: Godspeedtackle Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2008 Posted From: 98.222.61.182 |
Hey Tommy!!!!! Way to fight little man!!! Only 24 hours!!!! Keep it up!! Elle ,Emma and I are so excited about the good news.We will continue to pray for your speedy recovery and for your family. I have to confess though, after seeing you jumping the waves on that tube while speeding behind the boat and watching you hoist in that nice fish........ I just knew you were a "TUFF GUY"! WOW what a miracle! Thank you God! Shawn Harris P.S. I bet Brigid would have never had the guts to get out there on that tube without you. | ||
| Perry_powell Member Username: Perry_powell Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.105.103.100 |
WOW Tommy that is very impressive !!! You sound like a REAL FISHERMAN !! I can't wait to get to WI. to take you fishing in my new Skeeter Bass Boat! I think we are going to be buds, get well real soon so we can get after those bass. God Bless, Perry | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 497 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.180.104 |
Hey Shawn, There is no way I would be "Tough enough" to handle that tube alone. Tommy is a very brave young man!  God bless you and thank you for your family's continual support at Rend Lake. Brigid O’Donoghue | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 510 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.180.104 |
Tommy was supposed to be in the hospital for two weeks, but by the miracle of faith and power of prayers, he remained only six days! Mom said they stopped on the way home and got an ice-cream-cone! Tommy I can’t wait to see you and your family!! Much love and God bless you! Brigid O’Donoghue  | ||
| Perry_powell Member Username: Perry_powell Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 67.105.103.100 |
Tommy - You are the man!! Wow that is amazing you are up and going already. I bet the fish up there are starting to really get scared about now. I will be there soon so keep getting strong so we can tear them up. God Bless Perry | ||
| Godspeedtackle Member Username: Godspeedtackle Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2008 Posted From: 98.222.61.182 |
Tommy there's no holding you back!!!! Keep it up!! You're an inspiration to us all!!! | ||
| Allenb Member Username: Allenb Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2007 Posted From: 158.106.48.10  |
I have to agree with Godspeedtackle, what an amazing young man. God Bless You, Allen Biser | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 511 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.180.104 |
Hey Tommy, I heard Catfisherman Carl Roberts (pictured above) is coming all the way from St. Louis to join you and Perry in some serious fishing. Mike who is critical with brain cancer and made you that cross necklace is coming too. He told me he loves to cook, so plan on gaining a few pounds! Pete and I are so excited to see you and all the other wonderful kids attending the outdoor water sport event. I'm counting the days down when I will see you and your family again! God bless you darling! Brigid O’Donoghue |
