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breath he told his mother three things Disneyland, Sea World and lighthouses
in Maine. Michael was diagnosed with cancer when he was two years old and
went through a year of chemotherapy. Although his cancer is in remission,
he has subsequently been diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, a disease that
causes tumors to grow along his nerves on or in his body. Michael has
tumors on his lower back and a brain tumor and other complications.
Michael’s interest in lighthouses began about three years ago. His mother,
Val Kazlowski, who works at the Connecticut State Police Forensic
Laboratory, mentioned Michael’s interest to Jim Streeter who also works at
the lab. Jim, who is co-chairman of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a
chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation and also a member of the Board
of Directors for the New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL), gave Michael’s
mother a few extra Harbour Lights “Little Lites of Mine” replicas to give to
him. Well, the following day, his mother relayed that Michael was ecstatic
over the gifts. Jim then received permission from Michael’s mom to pass the
word among NELL members to donate extra lighthouse replicas. The response
has been overwhelming and within a period of about nine months, Michael’s
lighthouse replica collection has grown to over fifty pieces.
Michael’s mom indicated that the tumors on his back are very painful and
although he takes pain medication, often it does not help. Michael’s
interest in lighthouses does help him cope and forget about his medical
problems, according to his mother. He is constantly reading magazines and
looking up lighthouses on the Internet. He has a subscription to Lighthouse
Digest and reads it from cover to cover each month.
Incidentally, Michael’s mother explained to him that he could only request
one Make a Wish” and he decided on Disneyland.
Jim Streeter is working with his mother to arrange a trip this summer to
visit lighthouses in Connecticut. Maybe this spring he will be the first
“outsider” to climb the newly restored Avery Point Lighthouse.
In the meantime, if you have any extra lighthouse replicas or other unwanted
lighthouse related collectables, books, magazines, postcards, etc., you
might want to consider forwarding them to Michael. His address is 422
Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, Ct 06489. Your gifts would
certainly help to “Keep the Flame” burning in this young boy’s interest in
lighthouses.
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