MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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May 19, 2008

Mom helped before she knew she would need help herself

By Travina Coleman

Taniesha Blue didn't realize when she was volunteering for different charities and relief organizations, she would some day be the one needing it.

Blue, who lives in Muskogee, was five and a half months pregnant with her second son, Kylen, when she was volunteering her time at a golf tournament that benefited Children's Miracle Network.

"I did it because I feel a need in my heart," she said. "I had no idea my baby would be born with heart problems."

But he was.

Blue said she first noticed signs when she fed him.

"The milk was coming out his nose," she said. "I panicked. I didn't know what to do."

Children's Miracle Network is a national charity that raises money for treatment and care of diseases and injuries to children.

Rick Postlick of Muskogee, who organizes the fund raisers for the national charity, said the money raised in the area, stays in the area.

"When someone from this area donates to the charity," he said. "You can be sure it stays in the same area. It doesn't benefit children anywhere else besides Oklahoma."

Kylen, who was called Little Boy Blue, even though he was already named, was flown to Oklahoma City, where he underwent two open heart surgeries.

"It was very scary," she said. "I couldn't even hold him."

He remained in the hospital for two months.

Kylen is 9 months old and doing OK.

"He is sick a lot," Blue said. "Especially when the weather changes, he can barely get out."

Blue said she expects to encounter issues with his heart disease as he gets older.

"I'll have to be careful," she said. "He won�t be able to handle hits to his chest in sports or anything."

Kylen's older brother, Caiden, 4, said he loves his little brother.

"He always bites me," Caiden said. "But he is fun."

Blue's boss, Tanya Staggs, at Office Depot, said she has never met a person more willing to give their time than Taniesha.

"She seems to always find a way to help someone," Staggs said. "She even went to Camp Gruber after Hurricane Katrina to help survivors."

Blue said it makes her feel good volunteering to help people who need it.

"You never know when it could be you on the other end," she said.



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