MADISON TOWNSHIP — Meg Barcroft knew for years that she wanted to get into the medical field.
The Madison Comprehensive High School graduate of 2011 was asked to articulate her reason for wanting to practice medicine while interviewing for training programs during her fourth year of medical school.
After reflecting upon her reason why, she realized the answer dates back to her seventh grade social studies class at Madison, led by teacher Marc Harris. It was during that time, and the years that followed, that she became familiar with the Harris family’s story.
She learned about Marc and wife Deborah’s son, Gage, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and a rare heart defect known as truncus arteriosus at a young age.
She heard about when Gage was in and out of the hospital because of health complications. When she found out he was in need of costly medication, she organized a fundraiser to help offset the costs.
Her attachment grew and grew — she even drew a portrait of Gage in high school as part of an art project that prompted students to draw someone they were inspired by.
After high school graduation, she stayed in touch with the Harris family. She went on to attain a bachelor of science in integrated health studies from Kent State University and then a doctor of osteopathic medicine at The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM).
During her college education, Meg had experience in both pediatric and adult health care, but said she was drawn to pediatrics — in large part, she believes, because of Gage.
“For me I think Gage is an embodiment of why I want to get into peds (pediatrics) and why I am so passionate about it because kids have such a desire to live and be happy and have that inherent joy about them… they just want to giggle and have fun, and Gage is like that to a ‘T,’” she said.
Meg is now in her first year of a three-year residency program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
“You’re in a training program, but you’re also an acting physician,” she said.
Reunion
The Harris family took a recent trip to Wright State University, where Zane (Gage’s older brother) attends school. During their visit, Gage suffered from respiratory arrest and was life-flighted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
He was stabilized and has since returned home. According to Marc, Gage has a temporary feeding tube, “but he is doing great.”
During his stay in the hospital, he was reconnected with a familiar face.
“I thought it would take them at least five minutes to realize it was me,” Meg said.
But the recognition was instantaneous for Marc.
“I looked up at her and I instantly knew it was Meg,” he said.
“She says, ‘I’m Gage’s doctor,’ and I’m like, ‘You’re kidding me.’”
Meg wondered about the possibility of reconnecting with the Harris family, having followed Marc’s updates on Facebook and hearing about Gage being transported to Nationwide.
“But the odds of that happening, I thought, were so slim because it’s such a big hospital and everything would have to align for that to happen and so I think that was what made that experience so special because I had dreamt of it and thought that would be so cool to be full circle, but I never thought it would actually happen,” she said.
The whole experience was “surreal,” Meg said.
“I think it was one of those moments that makes everything worth it… To actually come full circle and get to take care of him was really, really neat,” she said.
Marc said it was like something you see on TV.
He was touched when he heard about Gage’s effect on Meg and her career choice.
“To think that all of these kids are going to get helped because of my son, that’s pretty awesome,” he said. “(Meg) should be pretty proud of herself. And I’m just happy for Gage that he influences people like that.”
“He’s like an angel”
Gage’s impact on others has been far-reaching in his 18 years of life.
“Gage is actually quite famous in Madison,” his dad said.
Gage is non-ambulatory, but that hasn’t kept him from taking part in activities he enjoys. The Madison senior is in the marching band and has served as the baseball team’s ball boy.
He loves school (“that’s his favorite place,” Marc said), enjoys spending time with his family, and likes attending Ohio State football games and the OSU Skull Sessions.
He’s a big fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Marc said he’s limited physically — he can move his head, hands and feet a little bit, and that’s it.
“There are so many things stacked up against him, but he never complains. He never says, ‘I wish I could do this, I wish I could do that,’” Marc said.
“He is like an angel on this planet. We feel like, my wife and I, that he is an angel placed here to watch over us because we don’t know anybody that can be that good with such bad that has happened to him. It’s literally amazing.”
