North Adams First-Grader Named Heart Association Ambassador

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Six-year-old Meghan Schrade was recognize by the School Committee for her activities with the American Heart Association. Meghan was named this year's Art for the Heart Ambassador for Western Mass.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Meghan Schrade has spent much of her short life undergoing painful procedures for a heart condition.

Now the cheerful 6-year-old is a poster girl for the American Heart Association of Western Massachusetts and its Art For The Heart Ambassador.

Meghan, daughter of Tracy Bassette and William G. Schrade Jr., was also recognized by the School Committee for her efforts on behalf of the association in sharing her story.

Bassette said she had submitted Meghan's story to the Heart Association, which was seeking "Go Red Leading Ladies" with positive attitudes to help raise awareness among women about being heart healthy.

Meghan didn't make leading lady, but was instead selected as the 2013 Ambassador for Art for the Heart, a healthy heart educational and arts program for children. She's featured on a poster for the activity in a new red dress and professionally photographed in East Longmeadow like the Leading Ladies were.

She was chosen because "she has a passion, even at such an early age, to get the word out about heart disease and shares her story with all that listen," according to the assocation.

Meghan's been very open about the procedures she's gone through. She went through open heart surgery at 6 days old and is on her third pacemaker. She's talked to her classmates at Brayton Elementary and others about her heart issues and pacemaker.

"It helps her explain what it is that happened to her heart," said Bassette.



She's also a top fundraiser for the annual Jump Rope for Heart event organized by teacher Karen Daigle at Brayton. This year's event takes place on Monday.

"From what I hear she's probably going to be the top fundraiser again this year," said Mayor Richard Alcombright in introducing her to the School Committee on Tuesday. "I want to wish you continued good health and I want to wish you continued good work in all you do for the American Heart Association."

First-grader was at little shy despite a contingent of friends and family backing her up. She presented the mayor with a red ribbon lapel pin and answered a few questions.

"Are you looking forward to the jumping rope?" asked committee member Heather Boulger. "What's the best part about it?"

Meghan responded, "I get to jump rope with my class."

She will present the awards for the art competition on March 1 at the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon in Holyoke. The luncheon was set for Friday but postponed because of the Nor'easter bearing done on the state.

Bassette said it was difficult to determine what had Meghan more excited — the luncheon or getting a day out of school. With Friday's snowstorm, Meghan might end up with an extra day off.


Tags: American Heart Association,   fundraiser,   North Adams School Committee,   

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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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