Page 10 - Aerotech News and Review, July 21 2017

Edwards’ sergeant in a different kind of battle
by Linda KC Reynolds
staff writer
May 15 was just like any other day for Tech. Sgt. Robert Ensley.
He finished up his work at the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Integrat- ed Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base and looked forward to spend- ing time with his family, especially his little bundle of love, Willow, who was born on Thanksgiving and was barely six months old.
While they were playing, it seemed Willow’s eyes were a bit yellow so he asked his wife, Erin, what she thought.
“We looked at her under different lights and agreed, something was wrong,” explained Ensley. They immediately called the nurse hot- line and were told not to worry, but to take their baby to a doctor within 24-72 hours. “We had a gut feel- ing and took her straight to urgent care.”
The medical staff at High Desert said that Willow needed to go to UCLA for further treatment.
“I just thought they would give her some medication and we would be ok,” said Ensley. It turned out Willow had hepatitis and was in acute liver failure — she needed a liver transplant as soon as pos- sible. The family had been travel- ing a bit, visiting friends and family and spent some time at Disneyland, but they had no idea how their baby contracted the disease — they were in shock.
Luckily, Willow had a transplant on May 28; however, she is not out of the woods. She is having trouble keeping food down and often runs a temperature. Every day is moment by moment. “The people I work with have been great,” said Ensley.
Master Sgt. V anessa Brown, En- sley’s first sergeant, showed up in the middle of the night to help.
“Sergeant Brown took care of our kids, she was amazing. She took them to all of their activities and cared for them for the first week and a half, before my mom could get here from Northern California,” shared Ensley. “My wife and I are both stubborn and don’t like to ask for help,” said Ensley who has been humbled by the situation. He has served in the military for 16 years.
Unfortunately, UCLA is 95 miles from Edwards Air Force Base; if it were only five miles further, Ens- ley would qualify for Permissive Leave, which means he would not have to return to base and check in.
“Driving 95 miles is different in Los Angeles, it can take up to three hours to get home or to the hospi- tal,” said Ensley. Their older chil- dren, Emily and Justin, are spend- ing summer vacation with family in Las V egas, while their eight-year- old daughter, Autumn, is staying home on base with his mother.
In August his mother has to go back home to start teaching.
“Maybe my dad can come out from (Kodiak) Alaska to help out. I really don’t know what will hap- pen,” said Ensley.
Trying to keep spirits high isn’t easy, but the family says they are staying “Willow Strong.” The stress of the situation is compound- ed by being smack in the middle of transferring to their new assignment in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ensley said they are doing ok. The hospital gives them a $7 vouch- er for food per day and he parks a half mile away from the hospital where parking is free. They also received some gas vouchers from the First Sergeants Association, which helps with his commuting. “We appreciate everything,” said the humble sergeant. His wife has not left the hospital since Willow’s surgery and they are both visibly exhausted.
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
Tech. Sgt. Robert Ensley and his wife, Erin, hold their daughter, Willow, who received a liver transplant at 6 months. Capt. Mike “Postal” Bennet, Capt. Tony “Scalor ”Puntel, Lt. Col. Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, and Capt. Josh “Teddy” Thomas of the F-35 ITF stopped by to visit Willow and other children at UCLA.
Towing a red wagon full of gifts, officers from Edwards Air Force Base visited Tech. Robert Sgt. Ensley’s daughter, Willow, as well as other children at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Willow received a liver transplant May 28 and is still recovering in the hospital.
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
Hoping to lift their spirits and let them know that their Air Force and aerospace family is with them, Lt. Col. Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, 461st FLTS commander and F-35 ITF Director, and Captains Josh “Teddy” Thomas, Tony “Scalor” Puntel and Mike “Postal” Bennet visited Willow at the hospital. “We have to take care of our own and Robert and his family is a prior- ity,” said Hamilton, who has four children.
Towing a wagon full of gifts, the officers also visited other children at UCLA.
“Our teens and tweens were so excited when we asked them if they would like a visit from a test pilot and Air Force officers,” said Chris- tine Banderas, a child life specialist of the Chase Child Life Develop- ment Program. “I think they are role models and real, life heroes. Where do you come across a test pilot or flight engineers in Los Angeles? This is a real treat for us.”
Lt. Col. Hamilton said he will talk to the “powers that be” on behalf of Ensley and his family. “I can’t imagine the roller coaster they are on,” said Hamilton while leaving Willow’s hospital room. Pertaining to Permissive Leave, Hamilton is hoping the situation will soon be resolved.
A T-shirt fundraiser has been set up by the squadron.
To order or simply make a do- nation please email Lt Gambino at cherie.gambino@jsf.mil. Also visit http://www.chp.edu/our-services/ transplant/about/organ-donor- awareness. Follow Willow’s jour- ney at https://www.facebook.com/ WillowStrongJourney/.
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
Tired princess — Erin Ensley holds her 7-month-old daughter. Willow who received a liver transplant at 6 months of age at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Willow’s father, Tech. Sgt. Robert Ensley, is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base.
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