Being a writer, I tend to feel much more comfortable sharing me thoughts on paper (computer?!) than out loud. My words get all jumbled up and I cry at the drop of a hat, so sharing heartfelt thoughts with others is best done in writing for me.
I have already shared what Dr. Campbell means to our family, but during our time of grieving as a VEPTR community, many of the families wanted to share how much Dr. Campbell means to them as well. I asked if anyone wanted to contribute to a blog post and held my breath for at least 2 people to reply. (Cue insecurity!) It is a testament to Dr. Campbell's legacy that over 30 people would like to share how this wonderful man has affected them.
I'll be doing a series called, "An Angel for Our Angels" which was suggested by another VEPTR mom because Dr. Campbell is our angel for all of our kids. He truly cared about each and every one and sacrificed so much to operate on those complex cases that were deemed hopeless. When others said no, Dr. Campbell said yes. He never gave up on a kid, and our thriving VEPTR community is evidence of that. In reading their stories, you will see how much love and dedication he had for our kids.
So with that, here are the stories and sentiments from VEPTR families all over the world. Some of them had Dr. Campbell as a surgeon, and others have children who were saved thanks to the device he created. All have been touched by his legacy.
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“May God bless our special orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Campbell, who was also a true hero. Our family is forever thankful for the care he provided baby Jonathen. Without the VEPTR devices, that he invented, Jonathen would not be where he is today.
I am devastated to hear of this news. I will never forget all the orthopedic surgeons that I consulted with first, all over Florida, and all the numerous times I was told there was nothing to be done, and that my son would never walk, and that his spine would only get worse. I found Dr. Campbell. I took a chance, and a long flight to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, for a consult. I remember Dr. Campbell walking in the room, hanging up his spine x-rays, and confidently saying “we can fix this”. I was told numerous times in Florida that my son had the worse case of scoliosis and fused ribs that the physicians had ever seen, but he made it seem like it was as easy as changing out a lightbulb.
Baby Jonathen had 3 VEPTR devices placed at 13 months old, his spine went from a 109 degree curve to 50 degrees in that initial implantation, and he grew three inches. I’ll never forget the words Dr. Campbell said when he told me, “it’s a breathe easy surgery” the kids breathe easier each time, as you expand their chest cavities, giving their lungs room to grow. Although these surgeries are invasive, and every 4-6 months until they are 18 years old, I’m forever grateful that because of Dr. Campbell's God given talent, my son Jonathen runs.
I feel truly at a loss, hearing of his passing, my heart hurts for him, his family, and all the other lives he has touched and saved in his journey. As most of us parents question, what can our kids do or not do, with these devices, his response was always the same, “I can always fix a broken rod or rib, but I can’t fix a broken spirit, let them be kids”.
We are blessed and feel very fortunate he was able to perform Jonathen's first 5 spine surgeries. Our prayer is that his legacy carries on, and that all the other surgeons who will follow his footsteps, will be as amazing as he was. May God bless Dr. Campbell in paradise.”
-Kristi Sulpizi
"When I heard the news yesterday, I sat on my daughter's bed and watched her sleeping. My mind ran a reel of the life she has lived. Not an easy life, but a full and beautiful life nonetheless. I feel inadequate as I attempt to express my love and gratitude for Dr C. He was not just Josie’s surgeon, he was part of our family.
Nine long years ago we weren’t given many options for Josie and not a great deal of hope for her future. Dr Campbell took a chance on her and we have seen her thrive and grow under his care. It wasn’t just the business of growing her lungs and stabilizing her spine he was interested in, he was always just as concerned about the quality of life we could provide. He always told me he didn’t make her a new spine so we could hold her in a bubble. He always said he could fix a broken bone but not a broken spirit. Josie was a member of the “tiny hiney club” though he felt she would soon be graduating. 😂
He had walked a long, sometimes uncertain, road with us and I just don’t know what will come as we continue this journey without the man whose vision and perseverance saved my daughter's life. I do know we would not be where we are today without him and I know he knew how we felt because we told him often.
Thank you, Mrs. Campbell, Abby and Noah for sharing this amazing, selfless and humble soul with all of us rib families."
-The Cullen Family
Jonesboro, Arkansas
I have already shared what Dr. Campbell means to our family, but during our time of grieving as a VEPTR community, many of the families wanted to share how much Dr. Campbell means to them as well. I asked if anyone wanted to contribute to a blog post and held my breath for at least 2 people to reply. (Cue insecurity!) It is a testament to Dr. Campbell's legacy that over 30 people would like to share how this wonderful man has affected them.
I'll be doing a series called, "An Angel for Our Angels" which was suggested by another VEPTR mom because Dr. Campbell is our angel for all of our kids. He truly cared about each and every one and sacrificed so much to operate on those complex cases that were deemed hopeless. When others said no, Dr. Campbell said yes. He never gave up on a kid, and our thriving VEPTR community is evidence of that. In reading their stories, you will see how much love and dedication he had for our kids.
So with that, here are the stories and sentiments from VEPTR families all over the world. Some of them had Dr. Campbell as a surgeon, and others have children who were saved thanks to the device he created. All have been touched by his legacy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“May God bless our special orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Campbell, who was also a true hero. Our family is forever thankful for the care he provided baby Jonathen. Without the VEPTR devices, that he invented, Jonathen would not be where he is today.
I am devastated to hear of this news. I will never forget all the orthopedic surgeons that I consulted with first, all over Florida, and all the numerous times I was told there was nothing to be done, and that my son would never walk, and that his spine would only get worse. I found Dr. Campbell. I took a chance, and a long flight to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, for a consult. I remember Dr. Campbell walking in the room, hanging up his spine x-rays, and confidently saying “we can fix this”. I was told numerous times in Florida that my son had the worse case of scoliosis and fused ribs that the physicians had ever seen, but he made it seem like it was as easy as changing out a lightbulb.
Baby Jonathen had 3 VEPTR devices placed at 13 months old, his spine went from a 109 degree curve to 50 degrees in that initial implantation, and he grew three inches. I’ll never forget the words Dr. Campbell said when he told me, “it’s a breathe easy surgery” the kids breathe easier each time, as you expand their chest cavities, giving their lungs room to grow. Although these surgeries are invasive, and every 4-6 months until they are 18 years old, I’m forever grateful that because of Dr. Campbell's God given talent, my son Jonathen runs.
I feel truly at a loss, hearing of his passing, my heart hurts for him, his family, and all the other lives he has touched and saved in his journey. As most of us parents question, what can our kids do or not do, with these devices, his response was always the same, “I can always fix a broken rod or rib, but I can’t fix a broken spirit, let them be kids”.
We are blessed and feel very fortunate he was able to perform Jonathen's first 5 spine surgeries. Our prayer is that his legacy carries on, and that all the other surgeons who will follow his footsteps, will be as amazing as he was. May God bless Dr. Campbell in paradise.”
-Kristi Sulpizi
"We have never met Dr. C, but without him this little girl's life would have been much harder...not only because of VEPTR but because of the training he gave to so many other doctors including my daughter's. The world lost not only a great doctor but a great man." -Wendi Curry
"When I heard the news yesterday, I sat on my daughter's bed and watched her sleeping. My mind ran a reel of the life she has lived. Not an easy life, but a full and beautiful life nonetheless. I feel inadequate as I attempt to express my love and gratitude for Dr C. He was not just Josie’s surgeon, he was part of our family.
Nine long years ago we weren’t given many options for Josie and not a great deal of hope for her future. Dr Campbell took a chance on her and we have seen her thrive and grow under his care. It wasn’t just the business of growing her lungs and stabilizing her spine he was interested in, he was always just as concerned about the quality of life we could provide. He always told me he didn’t make her a new spine so we could hold her in a bubble. He always said he could fix a broken bone but not a broken spirit. Josie was a member of the “tiny hiney club” though he felt she would soon be graduating. 😂
He had walked a long, sometimes uncertain, road with us and I just don’t know what will come as we continue this journey without the man whose vision and perseverance saved my daughter's life. I do know we would not be where we are today without him and I know he knew how we felt because we told him often.
Thank you, Mrs. Campbell, Abby and Noah for sharing this amazing, selfless and humble soul with all of us rib families."
-The Cullen Family
Jonesboro, Arkansas
"Without Dr. Campbell, my daughter probably wouldn't be here. Surgeries were done at Birmingham Children's Hospital (UK) but now being done at Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (UK). 10 surgeries in and having 11th on the 17th. Diagnosed at 1.5 years old, 1st operation aged 3, and Evie-mae is currently 8 years old."
-Hailey Taylor
"Although Dr C. wasn’t Leah’s doctor, if it wasn’t for him and his VEPTR invention, my daughter wouldn’t be here today. And if she was here, she would have zero quality of life. With a breathing tube trying to fight to breathe because of her crushed lungs and severity of her congenital scoliosis. Whether we were a direct patient of Dr C’s or not, we all feel his death deeply! Without him, I wouldn’t have my little girl.
The lives he touched and families he changed will forever be remembered. RIP Dr C." -Leah's Mom
The lives he touched and families he changed will forever be remembered. RIP Dr C." -Leah's Mom
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