Errol Milner Clifford 2006-2009

Errol Milner Clifford was born with a significant heart defect and a cognitive disability that prevented him from walking or talking. As we grieved the child we had anticipated, Errol’s full-bodied smile and irrepressible laugh turned our sorrow into joy, and taught us that many of the best things in life are unexpected. Inspired by Errol’s delightful spirit, friends, family, and neighbors rallied to support our family’s significant emotional, physical, and financial needs, through countless acts of selfless generosity. When Errol’s courageous heart finally failed him on December 23, 2009 we were left numb with grief. In these dark hours we listen hopefully for the echoes of Errol’s brilliant laugh. This blog is the story (starting from present and working back to Errol's birth) of the life and times of the amazing Errol Clifford.


Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Life and Death


It was a lovely early summer day, 85, a brisk wind, and not a cloud in the crisp blue sky. And so, as we often do, Errol, Owen, Cary and I went to the pool. After our refreshing swim, as we were leaving, we noticed a commotion in the pool, and looked up to see that a young boy was drowning. A lifeguard jumped into the deep end of the pool and pulled the struggling boy up, up, up, out of the water and back to life. The boy is fine now, thanks to the heroic lifeguard.

There have been many times when Errol’s doctors and medical team have pulled him back from the edge of life. Dr. Hines, Dr. Hunsinger, Dr. Cnota, Kari Crawford, Dr. Raines, and Dr. Turner are all heroes. Sweet Errol is alive thanks to their training, brilliance, and devotion.

This weekend, a heart patient got the call they had long awaited. A donor heart had been found. It was a perfect match. The patient was rushed into surgery. Two surgeons, two transplant technicians, and two pilots were on a plane bringing the heart back to the awaiting patient. Tragicaly, the plane plunged into Lake Michigan, and all aboard were lost. One of the two doctors was Dr. David Ashburn, a young cardiothoracic surgeon who had trained with Dr. Hines here in Winston-Salem. We know, very well, the healing life these doctors give the world. What a cruel and tragic loss.

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