2 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, April 20, 1994 Miracle (continued from page 1) “The first red-letter day for us was the first time that Josh cried while having blood work," Becky said. “We felt badly that he had to be stuck with needles, but were thrilled that for the first time in his life, Josh had reacted appro- priately to a painful experience.” Josh faced seemingly insur- mountable odds - his lungs had “been scarred from the oxygen treatments necessary at his birth, slowing his mental and physical development. During his first two years he regularly battled infections, res- piratory failure, pneumonia and severe asthma attacks which left him dependent on an oxygen ventilator. His many trips to Geisinger set anew hospital record — more than 1,000 total days as an inpatient. While fighting for his life dur- ing one of his stays in the pediat- ric intensive care unit, Josh offi- cially became Becky's and Tom's son. Becky's first act as his legal mother was to give permission to have his trachaeostomy tube redone so that he could be put on an oxygen ventilator. “Josh really needed the venti- lator because he was using so much of his energy simply breath- ing that he wasn't growing,” Becky said. “We gave his body some time to catch up.” After his third birthday he was finally allowed to come home, although he still had to use the ventilator to breathe. The ventila- tor has now been replaced by a portable oxygen machine, which he is gradually being weaned from. “Thinking of what Josh went through, and what the family went through, at the beginning it really is a miracle,” Becky Kupstas said. Becky made the 120-mile round trip to Danville every day for two “It’s great to be the miracle child. The doctors made me better.” Josh Kupstas Children’s Miracle Network poster child months to learn how to care for him. The family’s two older children, Jefl and Beth, had been involved ‘in their parents’ decision to take in foster children and were very supportive, learning how to give their younger brother his medi- cine and help with his treatments. “Josh has been dead four times,” Becky Kupstas said. “Once, when he was really sick and his doctors didn't know what to do, the only thing that I could think of was to scream at him, You can’t die! Too many people love you!’ And he pulled through.” Later, Josh casually mentioned to his mother, “I was with the angels. I was with Gabriel.” “We had never told him who Gabriel was,” she said. Today the sunny seven-year- old loves macaroni and cheese and Spaghetti-O's, “making up stories” on his computer and playing Nintendo, which Jeff taught him. “I like Super Mario 3 and Ninja Turtles in Time,” Josh grinned. “He's quick,” Jeff said. “He's got great coordination - he picked up Nintendo in no time.” Josh's varied tastes in music range from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana and Danzig to Frank Sinatra and ‘70's music. One of his prize possessions is a Marky Mark autographed T-shirt. His ultimate goal is to attend a Kingston Township rec Kingston Township police are investigating a fire which two patrolmen discovered in the build- ing housing a storage room and lavatories at the Center Street recreation park at 11 p.m. April }7. olmen Wade Curtis and Meiss called the Shaver- out from under the eaves of the building, according to the police report. ' Most of the damage was con- center damaged by fire fined to the storage area, where some PVC pipes melted from the heat, police said. Very few materi- als were in the storage room. Firefighters had to break the skylights open to vent the build- ing. Damage was estimated at $1,500 to $2,000, police said. Trooper Andy Petros of the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal's office has been called in to assist the investigation. Sergeant Michael Moravec is investigating the incident. ¥ L] i { « . pe Dee Fields Sales Consultant Please call me when Selling your Home Real Estate, Inc. Century 21 Ruth K. Smith (717) 696-1195 (717) 675-5130 Ask for Dee 288-3500 1 Mark Plaza, Edwardsville, Rt. 11 586-6000 Rts. 6 & 11, Clarks Summit N.E. Penna's Renowned Spot For Great Food & Entertainment Steaks + Chops « Seafood ° Over 100 Entrees Open for Lunch & Dinner 11.30 AM. - 2 AM., 7 Days a Week ENTERTAINMENT Fri., April 22 Jim Cullen Sat., April 23 Fling A Thing POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE RELAXING WITH THE FAMILY - Seven-year-old Josh Kupstas enjoys a quiet moment with his parents, Tom and Becky Kupstas, his brother, Jeff and sister, Beth. Josh was recently named the poster child for Geisinger Hospital's Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. “of the gifts that God has ead He isn't fazed at all by his upcoming duties as the miracle |) child: opening a pro-am golf tour-* nament, being present at the & ¢ Miracle Kids’ Lunch, an appear- ance on WNEP-TV and being the’ official starter of a motorcycle race: from Geisinger-Wyoming Valley to Knoebel's Grove. ; “Yes!” he grinned, giving the thumbs up sign, when asked if he’ was looking forward to the motor-* cycle race. “We don't know how muchJosh' will be able to accomplish,” Becky® _ said. “We know that he will be’ *' | § handicapped for the rest of his life —but he won't be crippled. He will" live his live to the fullest, using all given” him.” s Josh has already surpassed all’ ofhis doctors’ expectations, Becky® said. They never expected him to be able to walk, and really weren't’ sure what he would be able to do. “Why am I the miracle child?"- he asked a reporter. ! His father answered, “Because” when everybody else gave up on you, we didn't. You're a real’ fighter.” & | ¢ More Back Mountain news » Bo # N 3 Bb - Coverage area: T The Dallas Post Published Wednesdays 675-5211 Fax: 675-3650 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Shipping Address: 45 Main Road, Dallas PA 18612 Office hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. ~ County, including Dallas, Kingston, Lehman and Jackson townships, Dallas ~ Borough, Harveys Lake and the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts. We try to get to as many events as possible, but staff and space limitations make it ~ impossible to cover everything. If you have news about your family, town or ~ organization, please send it to us and we'll try to get it in. Photographs are ~ welcome; we prefer black and white, but color will usually work. Corrections, clarifications: The Dallas Post will correct errors of fact or clarify ~ any misunderstanding created by a story. Call 675-5211. Have a story idea? Please call, we'd like to hear about it. Letters: The Dallas Post prints all letters which have local interest. Send letters to: Editor, The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612. All letters must be signed and include a phone number at which we can reach the author. Deadline is Noon, Monday prior to publication. Want a photo that has appeared? We can provide prints of photos taken by our staff. Prices: 5x7 - $5; 8x10 - $10. Call or stop by to order. Dallas, PA 18612 ol 4 rock concert and stand in the his name and use his computer. Zack lay under the kitchen The Dallas P ost mosh pit. Josh alsodresses himself, picks table, a watchful eye on Josh as “He getsintomyroomand turns up his toys, empties the silver- he happily chattered with a re- up my stereo’s bass and volume ware from the dishwasher and porterabout a possible future trip J all the way,” Beth laughed. “I find helps his mom dust. to Disney World, home of Mickey ! ] my rock tapes in the weirdest and Gooly, courtesy of Make-a- BO AT § places in the house.” When Becky cooks, Joshisher yyqp, In addition to Jeff and Beth, faster Bnd bs knows how 2 heat “It's great to be the miracle TIP 1 Josh has an older brother and [1S beloved Spaghetti-O's in the cpjiq," he bubbled. “The doctors A younger sister by birth, whom he microwave. made me better.” has met and played with. Of the family's four dogs and ema nm EE #3 edt BR In his home schooling sessions two cats, Josh's best buddy is [ 4 ] he has learned to do math, write Zack, a white shepherd mix. | JOHN S By Dave i H 8 rn | PIZZERIA | |a. wherecanitest ] 3 7 : | | ATTENTION | | paddie different 1 { ade cotrers | 17 [Qe 4 N ew York | model canoes? | 3 : Bi ] | | A.Join us for a few exciting | Antiques & Gifts Golf Instructions | | tule Pizza” 1 | hours of water sport Te : at my Indoor Range of ; RR. 3-Box 12] lo Clubs 2 ! | adventure at the le 1 Rt. 29, Pikes Creek The Repairs : 675 -0976 I Montoursville Boat | Ei Hunlock Creek WICKER SHOP eaelen lines : I Launch on Sunday, j PA 18621 at Fassetts ast ior 196 N. Memorial Hwy. | May 8th from 12-5 p.m. | Ph 4 Pursitire & Baskes| batisr gol Shavertown, Pa. 18708 : one uésfiatssagren | Call JOHN ANTOSH | | | LAvaways accepTeD | (7 17) 477-2886 Downtown Tunkhannock |Evenings 6-0 836-2393} : i! $ 0) | jy 4 \ i { ML eOFF || SK | YAY E A TL on Py 7 mY | % : | ’ ) &) { Yr Ears owim ; MA UA BH A Ee O72 Yel 8 Sh Th JL. 4U & . : 10.9: kD XETER. PA * 655-886¢ | Any Topping | |gg Hous: Mon-t08 : UP, VB § 1 LPS ac 105-3869 | : | Tues., Wed., Thurs.- 10-6, e : Expires 5/22/94 _] |LFri.- 10-8, Sat. - 10-5, Sun. "Gone Boating" | - Captain & Crew Tourney 4 Call for Ton Tons Sea toa at 7 7 M or Tee Times Starting at 7 a.m. p ¢ $24.00 per person includes Steven Re) Golf, Prizes, Meal, Beverages : 1 Town & Country Cleaners |, | Country Club Shopping Ctr. » 675-0468 of Hs QUALITY | G i ; A member of the International Fabricare Institute, : & 3 ; the association of professional drycleaners and launderers. . ) H { Same Day Service tu Shirts Laundered - Draperies and Household ltems |} Alterations - Wedding Gown Specialist . Leathers - Suedes - Furs - Fine Dry Cleaning h Along with our other products like: shade ’ | : trees, shrubs, perennials, iio gravel Steven's fertilizers, grass seed, peat humus, clay Town ount Cleaners pottery...We are your one stop full service 0 & C Ty landscape center, where you don t have to 675-0468 bol get your hands dirty! Soa Hours: Monday - Friday 7 A.M. - 7 P.M. [ FOOTPATHS & LANDSCAPES Saturday 8 AM. - 6 P.M. Route 309 (1/4 mile north of Insalaco’s) 675-8733 Country Club Shopping Ctr. * Route 309 Dallas |} “Ask for Kurt, the expert in dirt” The Professional Edge, The Personal Touch 2 J". he HOW TO SUE do Classified Advertising Deadline: Mondays at 4 p.m. i 1 De VariginD Destine Movs a to I Complete and mail in this form, or call 675-5211 1 . We have a variety of rates and programs to suit your advertising needs. I QO Please enter a subscription to The Dallas Post 1 The Dallas Post satisfies most co-op ad programs. i 1 Creative services at no charge. I Name R | Combination rates with The Abington Journal, Clarks Summit, available. i 1 We can produce your newsletter, flyer or newspaper. Call for quotes on : X typesetting, production and printing. I Mail Address 3 i “Orders for subscriptions received by Friday will begin the following week. See ! City State Zip 1 7 { box at right for subscription prices. Local subsciptions should arrive i 4 Wednesdays. Please inform us of damage or delay. | Phone b | : 1 The Dallas Post usps 147-720) RATES: : ; 1Year 2 Years 1 Published weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. $18 per year in Luzerne and Luzerne & Wyoming counties $18 $32 1 Wyoming Soupies (PA); $20 Ssowhers ; PA | NY or NJ; $22 all other Other PA, NY or NJ 20 36 1 states. Second-class postage paid at Dallas PA. 4 ; POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, y All Other States 2 0 1 Dallas PA 18612. . I Return completed form with payment to: 4 © COPYRIGHT: Entire contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. No part of } The Dallas Post | oN this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express P.O. Box 366 written consent of the publisher. i ls 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers