Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Miami Herald, Inc.; a Knight Ridder publication. One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132-1693 - Sunday, December 22, 1996 Edition: Final Section: Local Page: 1C Word Count: 483
Donna Gehrke; Herald Staff Writer
But then, Wesley won't be 5 years old until New Year's Eve. And he doesn't know much about HIV. The virus that killed his mother is in his blood, too.
This season when many of us count our blessings, so do Wesley and his brothers, Patrick, 15, and Michael, 11. At least they have each other -- and a cousin who has stubbornly stuck by them.
Legal Aid attorney Sheri Braun was so moved that she nominated the family for The Herald's Holiday Wish Book.
In 14 seasons, readers of the Wish Book have contributed nearly $2 million to help our needy neighbors -- including other AIDS orphans. Last year, The Herald raised more than $171,000 to fulfill more than 260 wishes; 100 percent of the donations go to the needy. The Herald picks up the administrative costs.
The plight of AIDS orphans haunts our community. Miami has one of the highest rates in the country for children with AIDS.
Wesley's mother, Jeannette Alphonse, died of complications from AIDS last year. She unknowingly passed on the disease to her son when he was born.
For years she fought the virus while she worked and raised her children. "She was a very hard-working woman and a good mother," said her cousin, Mildrene St. Fleur, who became the children's guardian when their mother died.
Attorney Braun marvels that St. Fleur remains upbeat despite the obstacles she faces.
She once vowed only to care for one child, her daughter Stephanie, 11, because "we have to struggle."
But when her cousin died, St. Fleur, a supervisor at a Miami sewing factory, couldn't bear to see the boys go into foster care.
"I told them it won't be the same without your mother," she said, "but I will do my best. I would find a way."
She has. They now live with other relatives in North Dade.
She receives $306 a month in Social Security checks for the children's support.
Just to hire a baby sitter for Wesley takes much of that, she said.
Frequently, she has to leave work to take Wesley to medical appointments.
Patrick helps out by working part-time at a cinema.
St. Fleur maintains her can-do attitude -- and her tenderness toward the boys.
Wesley doesn't want much for Christmas. "A remote control car?" he suggested.
His older brother Michael wants a boom box; Patrick wants a CD player.
Most of all they want stability and their own home. Any kind of assistance there would be welcome.
CAPTION: photo: Patrick and Michael and Wesley Alphonse (a)
JEFFERY A. SALTER / Herald Staff WORKING TOGETHER: Patrick, 15, Michael, 11, and Wesley, almost 5, lost their mother to AIDS. Wesley is HIV-positive.
Copyright (c) 1996 Miami Herald. All rights reserved. Reprint Permission: The contents of each issue of The Miami Herald are protected under the federal copyright act. Reproduction of any portion of any issue will not be permitted without the express permission of The Miami Herald. Reprints: 305-376-3719 Staff photos: 305-376-3756. Internal or personal use: Copyright Clearance Center, 508-750-4283, ext. 888; fax 508-750-4744. The Miami Herald or Knight Ridder shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
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