Escort Journal :

Spring 2009:

Sandy Clevenger, AA Flight Attendant and RN, and Wushang Yang leaving following treatment at Shriner's in Cincinnati

Recently, American Airlines Flight Attendant and RN, Sandy Clevenger, accompanied Wushuang Yang, age 12, back to her home in China.  Wushuang was so badly burned in January 2008 that she could not sit up for more than a few minutes and was in so much pain coming from China that the Children's Escort Service had to get an ambulance to take her from O'hare to Cincinnati. She couldn't even get on the smaller Eagle airplane in O'hare - it was far too painful.

After a year at Shriners in Cincinnati, Sandy was her escort again.  This is Sandy's story:  

"I have recently returned safely from China and would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone for the opportunity to escort Wushuang Yang back to China. What a rewarding experience to arrive at her host family's house in the Atlanta area to be greeted first by Wushuang. It seemed a miracle to see her walking, smiling, and conversing in English! What a difference from the last time I'd seen her a year ago, wrapped in bandages, unable to sit, and agonized with pain.

"Forever Friends"

"Wushuang has grown from a child, who hid behind the brim of her hat so children could not stare at her scarred face, to a self assured and well poised young lady with an inner beauty that somehow masks her disfigurements. Human compassion is the root of the Shriner's program and it shows in her. The time her host family has invested in Wushuang at such a terrible and hopeless time of her life has only begun to pay off. Wushuang will now have a chance to grow into an amazing young woman. If it is true that a person's legacy is found in the face of adversity, Wushuang's legacy will be long lived.

"What a blessing it was for me to get to communicate with Wushuang in English and learn about the special person she is! We chatted with each other for hours on a variety of subjects.

Wushuang taught me about her life in China and we had "girl talks" discussing things pre-teens are curious about. We talked about her immediate future in China and the need for her to help her father now that her mother is gone. We shared dreams about her long term future as an English teacher. We even chatted about the sad loss of Wushuang's mother in the fire that almost claimed Wushuang's life, a bonding we had shared on our trip to America. We spoiled each other all the way to China, sharing our goodies and keeping each other comfortable. We laughed until we cried over silly things that happened enroute. We saw the Great Wall of China from the air, and flew very close to the North Pole and upon arrival in China we were received with a heartwarming welcome from her family. Many tears of joy were shed as we said good-bye.

"With tears in our eyes, Wushuang and I gave each other one last hug. As I walked away I turned to wave and said, "Farewell Wushuang, my little forever friend!" And to myself I said, "Thank you God for the gift of putting Wushuang into my life. I have just received so much more than I could ever have given to that child." I take great pride in being an escort for Airline Ambassadors. It is a wonderful feeling to share with you the rewards of making a difference in the life of a child. Life just doesn't get any better than that. Many thanks for the wonderful experience Wushuang and I shared. It will be a life long memory for me."