EDITOR'SNOTE

Just imagine being faced with two choices: dying and never seeing your spouse and children again or living, but in a very different body, one that would change how you approach even the most basic tasks in life.

nancy macdonald Would you have the courage to go to a frightening, unknown place that would physically transform you forever? Would you have the strength and positive attitude to raise your children, love your husband and love yourself?

Monica Jorge, already a mom to nineyear old, Madalyn, delivered a healthy baby girl, Sofia Maria, on August 9, 2007, at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Her loving fiancé, Tony, was by her side. It was one of the best days of her life, and remains so, even though a deadly infection had begun to fester in her C-section wound.

Three days later Monica discovered that she had contracted a flesh-eating bacteria, "necrotizing fasciitis" through her Csection incision. The details are horrific.

This rare and aggressive bacteria destroyed Monica's abdomen, ovaries, uterus and part of her colon. Tragically, Monica Jorge also lost all four of her limbs.

She was the same age as me, living just thirty minutes away, and I had never heard her story.

I thought of this woman as a new mother and how protective we feel when we give birth, and here she was attacked, unable to care for herself or her baby.

She later told me that she felt like everyone else was raising her baby. And they were physically. However, Monica was laying the groundwork for a much more important gift.

When I met Monica, it was clear that while she couldn't change a diaper, chase her one-year-old around, or brush her 10-year-old's hair, her most powerful gift trumps all: choosing happiness and gratitude over anger, choosing to laugh, to joke, to smile.

"I'm not a bitter person," she said brightly, "It's not worth it. I could be miserable, but it's not going to make for a good marriage."

I talked with Monica's best friend of 27 years, Susan O'Connell of Grafton, "When you sit down with her, you are going to forget. She has that glow."

It was this light that caught the attention of the Oprah Winfrey Show on September 24, 2008. Not surprising, Monica received a standing ovation.

"I just wanted people to know that life does not end with a tragedy," said Monica with a warm smile. She is so sincere.

Being a celebrity for the day did not change Monica's reality. She still can't join her family in all of the outings that they would like to do together. While Tony pushes Monica's wheelchair, who is going to push baby Sofia? Remember, she can't sit on Monica's lap. Monica can't hold her baby.

The Jorges would take Monica's electric wheelchair, but it doesn't fold up to fit in their car. They need a van!

Can the parents of Massachusetts help the Jorges where exposure on national television could not?

The Jorges' best friends, Kenny and Susan O'Connell of Grafton, hope so. They are planning a Friday, November 21st benefit at the Hudson Portuguese Club. It will be a night of rock bands, dancing, raffles and auctions. There is so much that you can do. Details are on page 12 and in our feature story on page 32.

After meeting Monica and Tony, I had anticipated feeling sad and maybe even a little ashamed or embarrassed, but never energized. I was uplifted as I hope you will be too.

I can't think of a better message for Thanksgiving.

Warmly, Carrie Wattu