Friday, April 19, 2024
During the two years that Jessie Richardson Berry saved up for a trip to Disneyland, she had managed to fill an entire economy-sized Folger’s can with pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, along with a few bills.
She dreamed of the day when she would visit the Anaheim, California attraction to see beautiful Disney princesses and enjoy the thrill of Splash Mountain and other attractions.
But after all that planning and all that dreaming, the 9-year-old decided out of the blue one day to shift her priorities.
That’s why Zackary Gonzalez, also 9, arrived home one day after playing at Jessie’s house with the weighty coffee can stuffed inside his backpack.
Puzzled, Zackary’s mom, Alicia Gonzalez, texted Jessie’s mom, Tiffany Berry.
“She told me that Jessie felt that she needed to give that to Zackary to take to the hospital that saved her friend’s life because she doesn’t need to go to Disney,” Alicia said. “It was very touching.”
Since being diagnosed at age 3 with von Willebrand Type 1, a rare and incurable blood disorder, and Hemophilia A, a genetic bleeding disorder, the Acton Elementary fourth-grader has had six surgeries due to severe nosebleeds. The latest one, at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, was performed on Aug. 26.
Alicia said she took the Folger’s can with her that day to the hospital. She said she didn’t count the money but figures there was maybe as much as $200.
Staffers filled out a card to send to Jessie acknowledging her donation and told Alicia that the little girl’s selfless act “was the most touching story they had ever heard, and it made them cry.”
The Gonzalez and Berry families, both originally from California, met after the Berrys moved to Acton from Midland in July.
Tiffany said that Jessie had been bullied at her Midland school.
That school’s loss is Zackary’s gain.
FAST FRIENDS
“There are not many kids in the neighborhood, and Jessie and Zackary just clicked,” Tiffany said.
Alicia said that after Zackary met Jessie, they became “inseparable.”
The two made bracelets from a bracelet kit that Jessie received as a Christmas gift and sold them on a neighborhood street corner to raise money for Zackary’s medical care, Tiffany said.
“One guy gave them $5 just for standing out in the heat,” she said.
Although insurance covers Zackary’s medical needs, Jessie nevertheless wanted to pay the hospital for taking such good care of her friend, Alicia stated.
Because of the strong bond between Zackary and Jessie, their families have become inseparable as well. They have had dinner together and gone on outings, such as to the Baker Hotel Ghost Walk in Mineral Wells.
Alicia and her husband Nicolas also have a 16-year-old daughter, Makenna. She attends Granbury High School.
Tiffany’s husband is named Gary. Jessie is their only child.
Alicia said she has come to view the Berrys as family.
“I love the relationship,” she said. “It’s phenomenal.”
Alicia said that Zackary is expected to have a relatively normal life as long as he is careful and keeps “on top of everything.”
She said that he receives infusions every few months, and the only sport that doctors will allow him to play is baseball.
“It does affect his immune system to a certain degree,” she said of the disorder. “It affects his appetite, and it affects his skin pigmentation. He looks normal, he’s just very thin and very pale.”
Alicia said she hopes that her son and Jessie will stay friends forever “because you can’t ask for a better friend than that little girl.”
The once bullied little girl has treated with kindness a boy who struggles with physical challenges.
“She’s the best friend in the world,” Zackary said.
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