07/02/09: Buffalo Mothers of Fatal H1N1 Victims Find Strength for Life After Children’s Deaths

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 07/02/09
The victim of Erie County’s second H1N1 related death has been laid to rest.
Family and friends bid farewell to nine year old Maya Harden at a funeral that turned into a celebration of life after death.
Music, praise and worship filled the True Bethel Baptist Church as friends and family honored the life of Maya Harden. The Chares Drew Magnet school student is the second H1N1 related death in Erie County. Funeral goers say Maya’s spirit lives on.
“I know Maya’s looking down and I know she hears us and we love you Maya. We’ll see you when we get there,” said a tearful Mona Sweetwine.
Family members say Maya never complained as she underwent treatment for H1N1, MRSA and finally pneumonia at Woman and Children’s Hospital. Her mother says Maya fought to the end.
“I don’t want people speculating ‘well they could have did this they could have done that.’ No when God is ready. There is nothing a doctor can do” said Maya’s mother Akea Hollingsworth.
Woman and Children’s Hospital Doctors treated Maya and fellow Buffalo Public school student Matthew Davis. Both children perished from the virus. During their stay at the hospital the families of the ill children bonded. Davis’ mother Lucretia Belton recalled the time she first met Hollingworth at the hospital.
“What’s wrong with your baby? He got Swine flu. So do mine. He got pneumonia. So do mine. He got MRSA. You’re Kidding. So DO MINE!” said Belton.
Fifteen year old Davis died one week before Maya. In her final11days Maya’s mother says her ailing daughter endured three cardiac arrests but still found the heart to comfort others.
“So she just said, ‘I guess I’m going to hold on and let this machine do its thing. But I’m going to let going to let mom prepare, because I’m going home,” said a stoic Hollingsworth. The single mother seemed at peace throughout the funeral, shedding sparse tears as her daughter was lowered in the casket and the top finally closed.
The ceremony was less of a funeral and more of a Baptist homegoing as family and friends gathered to lay Maya Harden to rest. The H1N1 virus brought Maya and Matthew Davis’ family together. Through the bond of motherhood.
“This is your baby smile, this is my baby smile. My kids are smiling. Everybody is smiling because we know where out kids are. We don’t have to morn because we know where they are. And they are together! We brought them together! And they are going to stay together,” said Belton to Hollingsworth. The church congregation exploded with cheers as the two mothers embraced.