Healing Spaces renovates apartment for family of Baldwin boy with sickle cell anemia

Healing Spaces renovates apartment for family of Baldwin boy with sickle cell anemia


For three days, strangers have been in Ludnie Pierre-Gilles' apartment.

She wasn't sure what exactly they were doing, but she had a feeling she'd be pleasantly surprised. Pierre-Gilles and her family have been living in the stark apartment with little more than their mattresses. It hasn't been a very comfortable place to live for her 7-year-old son, Walsonn, who suffers from sickle cell anemia.

But the family's apartment has just been renovated by Healing Spaces, a group that totally refurbishes the homes of sick and less fortunate children.

Today, Pierre-Gilles and her daughter, Widginie, got to tour their new space. They were shocked and ecstatic when they saw the results.

Walsonn hasn't been able to see his newly renovated home, and he hasn't been let in on the surprise yet, either. He's at Cohen's Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, recovering after receiving his second bone marrow transplant from his sister earlier this month.

Doctors say Walsonn may make it home later this week, perhaps even in time for Christmas. His mother says he will jump with excitement when he sees his new room.