Ariadne Massa
Please send me a friend to be with at Christmas
Jackie Chircop, 23, has a demanding wish list this Christmas, and the two things she yearns for the most are a boyfriend and friends.
At 18, a rare brain disorder robbed Jackie of normality, her boyfriend and her aspirations to become a hairdresser. So seeing her friends getting married and settling down has made her feel she is missing out.
“I want a boyfriend this Christmas – a cute one obviously, to take me out to nice places; new friends; some clothes; and a new job because I need a lot of money to go abroad with my father,” she says with a hearty giggle, as she disappears to crank up the volume on R. Kelly’s song Ignition.
Her mother Madeline smiles and concedes her daughter’s frustration is possibly exacerbated by being constantly with the family.
“She’s been with me for five years, so she’s obviously fed up with hanging around with her mum all the time,” she says.
“I’m lost and don’t know where to take her. There’s no respite for her in most centres as her condition is very particular.”
Mrs Chircop has come forward to make an appeal for somebody who would spend time with Jackie and go out with her twice a week.
“Ideally, we’re looking for somebody who can be her friend, not a carer, who can go out with Jackie especially in the evenings, or even spend time with her at home,” she says.
Jackie’s fierce battle with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis – a rare neurological disorder characterised by inflammation of the brain – started on December 14, 2006.
Herpes Simplex 1 is actually a very common virus that causes small blisters or cold sores on the lips, inside the nose, in the eye, or on the eyelid. But in very rare cases, usually when the immune system is compromised, the virus moves to the brain from the nasal cavity through the sinuses, resulting in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
At the time, in the run-up to the Christmas festivities, Jackie had been extremely busy, cramming her life with serving at her uncle’s bar in St George’s Bay to finance her hairdressing course, and going out with her boyfriend and friends.
For over six weeks Jackie was kept at the hospital’s Intensive Therapy Unit in a medically-induced coma to let the brain hibernate and protect it from further injury. In all, she spent four months in hospital and had to relearn how to walk and talk.
The girl’s recovery has been nothing short of extraordinary and she is constantly improving – she has recently started reading children’s books, though she admits she does not understand all the words.
Coaxing her to look up the difficult words in the dictionary, Mrs Chircop focuses on Jackie’s achievements towards greater independence, from washing and eating on her own, to sometimes going out with her cousin to a pub in Paceville.
Jackie chips in and recounts how she loves watching films but her life is still interrupted by seizures, and her memory has been compromised through scarring on the brain.
Unfortunately, the girl’s fits took a bad turn in July when she was mistakenly given the wrong medication, landing her in hospital. As if on cue, Jackie says: “I just want to get much better and don’t want to be sick my whole life.”
Mrs Chircop says: “When she’s happy and her mind is occupied her seizures decrease. I pray to God somebody will come forward.”
Those interested in building a friendship with Jackie and spending some time with her can send an e-mail to dive@scubatech.info.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Second group of migrants arrives
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
25 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Dorielle Soler
Dec 23rd 2011, 09:42
Those who know the family know what a terrible time they whent through when this illness first struck. What a tragedy to strike a lovely young girl like this .... I hope you find the friends you're looking for - Facebook could be a first step - you break the ice, and then go on to meet in a natural kind of way and things progress from there. Go for it, girl !
Dee Williams
Dec 19th 2011, 16:08
Before Jackie became ill she was quote " Busy working and going out with her boyfriend and friends" unquote.. Have all her friends got married and the boyfriend? Or have they now deserted her?
What a shame for this lovely looking girl. I have an 18 year old daughter and would be devastated if this was my child. Unfortunately my daughter works long hours all week, or i'm sure she would be the 1st to offer.
Jackie, I hope you and your wonderful family who surround you have a wonderful Christmas, and a Prosperous New Year, and people will be clambering to be your friend.
Eric Borg
Dec 19th 2011, 16:01
Dear Jackie, I am sure that most of the readers are speechless after reading your story. But I can tell you from personal experience that I have seen similar cases, and those persons manage to move on!
Belive me when I first saw your picture, the first thing that popped in my mind was........il-kemm hi sabiha din!!
kenneth anderson
Dec 19th 2011, 14:09
dear jackie......you are worth a million pounds to your family.........and if i had a million pounds i would gladly send them all to you........hopefully you are over the hardest part of things and from today...the only way is forward.......take care......from my family to yours.x
Derek Chircop
Dec 19th 2011, 13:43
I would like to thank all those of you that have sent messages to my Daughter Jackie, as she is really going through a hard time at the moment. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you all.
Derek ( Jackie's Father)
James Tyrrell
Dec 20th 2011, 00:04
Derek you are so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter and she is so lucky to have such a loving and caring family. All the best to you all for Christmas and the New Year.
When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high;
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are;
It may be near when it seems afar.
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things go wrong that you mustn't quit.
Mr Stephen Farrugia
Dec 19th 2011, 10:23
Everyone wants those things , MANY are in your situation or worse; Just start by doing something for yourself; Don't go begging cuz the only thing you're gonna get back is a 'Miskina' or 'nithassara' ... and PROBABLY, you're gonna have people wanting to be your friends.. but ultimately, they're gonna want to be your friends ONLY because of your condition, just like if u were a Multimillionaire rockstar, and everyone wants to be friends with you only for your fame and money. Wow... If That's what you want; then I'm sorry to say; it's kinda shallow. Start step by step; day by day; carry your burden with pride; like Everyone else does, and maybe eventually; instead of pitying you, people will be your friends because they value you.
I suffered from several conditions that didn't allow me to be responsive as such to people, including, paranoia, obesity, muttering, and other sever cases that I won't say here as It's too public. What did I do? I sat around in self pity for 5 years like you did, secondary school, then i told myself.. Do I really want this? Or do I just want to wallow in self pity? so I DID something for myself, nowadays I'm not thin, but I accept myself for who I am, I don't stammer anymore as I worked on it, I started socializing, and I can't get enough of it, and I got what I wanted through hard work and dedication. YES. YOU CAN ACHIEVE WHAT YOU WANT... BUT YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO GET IT!!! Sorry to sound bitchy and evil; But People have it worse than you and me did, and they come out on top... people without legs compete in the paraolympics, children find their talents and disregard their disabilities.
Have a merry christmas. I hope for christmas, this year, you receive the will power to achieve your dreams and goals.
Alfred Grech
Dec 19th 2011, 10:53
Excellent, logical and mature advice. Prosit Stephen.
George Azzopardi
Dec 19th 2011, 16:28
prosit Stephen .. yes I agree .. Courage Jackie .. YOU CAN DO IT!!
Roderick Mizzi
Dec 19th 2011, 00:22
I'm sure you will find lots of friends and they will find a wonderful friend in you. I've had the opportunity to meet Jackie few days ago at hospital and I can tell that she's such a nice person in every way. Happy Christmas Jackie and Madeline.
Gabriel Briffa
Dec 18th 2011, 23:55
beleive me jackie , you're not the only one who needs a job in this economy crisis right now.
andrew cachia
Dec 19th 2011, 09:47
Do you honestly think that a comment of this nature is even remotely justified in such a situation? I don't think you're grasping the gist of the article.
Alfred Grech
Dec 18th 2011, 23:34
Jackie, you're very beautiful and seem to have the desire to do things. Buy yourself a camera and take photos around - we have lots of beauty in Malta. The suggestion of joining Facebook is excellent and you'll meet many people from all over the world in there. Merry Christmas and hope 2012 will bering you back to normal.
m borg
Dec 18th 2011, 22:22
Dear Jackie, start with facebook and choose the real friends in your circle. Keep strong. WIsh you luck and God bless you.
Danika Vella
Dec 19th 2011, 09:46
Facebook? She needs a life people, not a make-believe one. Human contact is much more important than digital relationships. You don't know what it feels like to lack human contact, and to be ostracized all your life because of something out of your control, right?
Alfred Grech
Dec 19th 2011, 10:50
Danika, we have many life people as friends but through facebook we gained several more in Malta and abroad and it's fun and interesting to meet with visiting emigrants when they come for holidays in Malta and we met quite a few a a big number of them next year.
Facebook will be a good start for Jackie and I also agree with what Stephen Farrugia said further up where he gave her some very good advice.
James Tyrrell
Dec 18th 2011, 16:42
You are a beautiful girl Jackie and I sincerely hope this Christmas brings you everything you desire and that your condition improves. Good luck for 2012.
vincent a galea
Dec 18th 2011, 14:45
OH HOW I WISH I WERE YOUNGER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carmel Debono
Dec 18th 2011, 22:23
AND I,
SHE IS SO PRETTY-GOOD LUCK
Pule' Carmel
Dec 19th 2011, 09:11
May I add myself with you boys.
Mike Gatt
Dec 18th 2011, 12:23
Best of luck Jackie, you look like a lovely person so I'm sure you'll find what you are looking for!
Hope you have a Happy Christmas full of cheer and wonderful surprises!
James Gauci
Dec 18th 2011, 11:59
Also there are voice recognition programs which could help Jackie with any problems she could encounter with navigating through the PC and even typing messages. These Programs are just as effective as conventianal methods when calibrated properly, and readily installed in most operatign systems.
James Gauci
Dec 18th 2011, 11:28
May i suggest that Jackie creates a Facebook account or join some other form of social media. Im pretty sure she will make plenty of friends in no time.
James Hili
Dec 18th 2011, 16:35
Yes James good idea...but hopefully these will turn out to be not just virtual friends but ones who can spare some quality time with Jackie in person.
David Farrugia
Dec 18th 2011, 22:06
I think she has a fb account. Look her up and the above mail address is a clue that she's what you re looking for. The account is private of course.