Story update and photos by Julie Carasone
As a follow up to our story regarding Olivia Maniace, 20, of Batavia and the AffloVest that she received from the Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation, we talked with her mother Susan Maniace from the Cleveland Clinic where Olivia is currently recovering after a lung transplant on October 30th.
About 5 weeks ago, Olivia had a virus.
“The virus caused pneumonia and Olivia was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Her lungs were not able to get rid of the CO2 in her body and it became dangerously high,” says Maniace.
The next step was to get Olivia transported to Strong Hospital from Highland Hospital to be put on an ECMO machine which acted like an artificial lung. Olivia then was flown from Strong Hospital to Cleveland Clinic.
Once at the Cleveland Clinic, the Maniace family was told that they didn’t know if Olivia’s lungs would ever recover. So, this started the process of a potential lung transplant.
Two weeks ago, the transplant team at Cleveland Clinic made the call that Olivia needed a lung transplant, but she was too sick to receive the lungs.
Eventually Olivia started to get better, and this is when the doctors and their team decided to take the risk. What made it even more complicated is Olivia has a tiny frame and they needed to find lungs that matched her blood type and size. She was then put on a transplant list, and within three days she received her new lungs.
With tears in her eyes, Olivia’s mom says, “This truly was a miracle.”
This past Saturday, Kim O’Neill, Olivia’s godmother, and Valerie Smith, held a fundraiser at the VFW in Alexander to raise money for the Maniace family.
“Valerie and I were talking, because so many people approached us asking how they can help the family and because Sue, David and Olivia are so well known in the community and Sue is always very helpful at other events with her time and donations, we wanted to do something that would help them,” says O’Neill.
They received over 300 donations, many volunteers, people who didn’t know the family, came forward to help or donate items.
“Olivia has always loved life and has always enjoyed every single day, and I think now that she has these new lungs, this precious gift, puts life into perspective just how precious life is,” says Tanner Kolb, Olivia’s good friend.
“Olivia will continue living her life with the same energy she always has, but I think now its very special. She is the strongest person I have ever met”.
Olivia is currently recovering at Cleveland Clinic. She will be in the hospital for at least another 10 weeks and when she is released, every three months she will go back to Cleveland for follow-up visits. On Monday, Olivia was able to take her first steps and walk 6 feet forward and 6 feet back. She was cleared to start eating soft foods like pudding or apple sauce.
One of the first things that Olivia wants to do is to be able to run again.
She previously participated in track at Batavia High School.
“I am looking forward to running and going to the gym,” Olivia says. Olivia is also looking to get back to work at her Foundation, Liv- Luv- Breathe- Care Packages.
“We are so amazed with the support we have received from the community, people we don’t even know. It’s been unbelievable all the schools in Batavia wearing purple, the fundraiser, the bracelets and tee-shirts sold. We are so very thankful for our community, ” says Susan Maniace.
If you would like to help Olivia’s Foundation, visit Liv Luv Breathe Care Packages on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/livluvbreathe/
If you would like to make a donation to the family, you can go to Helping the Maniace’s on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2427763844163673/
A great job by all for a great cause.
I’m very happy for you!!! My Friend in Summerville SC has a son who has CF. Wondered about you donating your old supplies and Vest to needy families, now that you have wonderful New lungs:) Again congratulations 🎉❣️!!!