Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A rare disorder has brought together co-workers, members of the community and outsiders for fund-raising to aid a family in their time of need.
Torie Metzger was born Jan. 9 at Whitley Memorial Hospital, where officials knew there was a problem, and she was transferred to Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne.
It was there, at 10 days old, Torie was diagnosed with Zell Weger Syndrome. She was sent home the next day, with no cure or treatment available, for her family to bond with and love until she is called to meet her maker.
The daughter of Brian and Libby Metzger of Claypool, Torie's condition is defined by the fact that her body cannot break down fatty acids. As a result, toxic acids build up on her brain, liver and kidneys until the functions begin to shut down, according to Libby. The longest known survival for a baby born with this syndrome is six months.
"We're lucky to have had her this long," Libby said. "There's nothing we can do to help her out."
When Libby's co-workers at DePuy learned of the problems with Torie's birth, items - such as Beanie Babies and silver dollars - were brought in and auctioned off to help offset expenses the family has incurred.
According to Roger Mikel, maintenance supervisor (Libby is the secretary for the maintenance department), people saw some of the items and began asking about them. Each time he would tell the Metzgers' story, he'd get another donation. "It just grew and grew," Mikel said. "I got 100 percent participation from my salesmen." Some donated raffle items and others gave cash contributions.
"Bill Curtis (another DePuy employee) worked his butt off selling raffle tickets," Mikel said.
So far, about $5,400 has been raised among DePuy employees, Kimble Glass employees and businesses in Pierceton, where relatives work. A bake sale Friday at DePuy was deemed successful, and Libby's mother donated a baby's quilt and Brian's mother an afghan for raffling.
Mikel said that the family has used the money to purchase a cemetery plot and make funeral arrangements for Torie. They have also been able to make a couple house payments, he said.
Libby's six-week maternity leave is over on Friday, but because of the support of her co-workers, she won't have to return to work until she is ready.
"We want to thank the community and the people at DePuy," Libby said. "We were worried about bills and I wanted to stay home with her. ... Now I don't have to go back to work until I'm ready ... until things happen. We're just enjoying our time with her."
Libby said that she was amazed at how everyone pulled together to help so much: "It's hard to worry about bills with everything else we have to worry about. They've just lifted that worry from us."
Torie's condition will worsen, but the family is taking things one day at a time. "We have good days and bad days," Libby said. Torie had to be resuscitated at birth and has dropped 2 ounces from her birth weight of 4 pounds, 14 ounces. There is a possibility that she will develop seizures, but the family is not sure what to expect.
They certainly didn't expect what they got when Torie was born. Although the disorder could have been detected through amniocentesis, the Metzgers had no reason to expect any problems since they have a healthy 3-year-old daughter, Chelsea.
Libby said that very few places in the United States even test for Zell Weger Syndrome - a genetic disorder - because it is so rare.
Something that isn't rare in Kosciusko County, though, Libby believes, is the willingness of the community to help those in need. DePuy employees have opened an account in Torie's name at First National Bank of Warsaw, Pierceton branch, to help with continued costs.
