South Bay High School Mourns Swine Flu Victim, 16

[Pathfinder]

South Bay High School Mourns Swine Flu Victim, 16

POSTED: 7:22 pm PST December 10, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- A South Bay high school is mourning the death of San Diego County's first teenage swine flu victim, 10News reported.

Those who met 16-year-old Montgomery High School student Aby Aguiniga said they could not help but like her.

Senior Lessley Flores told 10News, "She loved to dance and sing; she was always outgoing."

Her classmates said it was her contagious spirit, not her limitations, that set her apart. Aby, who lived with Down syndrome, helped start a buddy program for disabled students. Lessley was Aby's buddy.

"She loved helping bring people into the group to help people," said Lessley.

Lessley was at Rady Children's Hospital on Dec. 2 when Aby died following an 8-day battle that began with flu-like symptoms -- now confirmed to be swine flu.

"I don't know how to describe the pain that I felt. I cried a lot that night," said Lessley.

Lessley's grief is shared by those who loved Aby and those who barely knew her.

Students at Montgomery High helped sell purple ribbons for $1 to raise money to cover funeral costs.

When asked to talk more about Aby, Lessley couldn't help but talk to her.

"I love you and miss you, and I know God will take care of you," she said.

Aby was remembered during a slideshow program at the school.

Her cause of death was ruled complications from swine flu with underlying conditions, including a heart condition and Down syndrome.

http://www.10news.com/news/21926848/detail.html

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: South Bay High School Mourns Swine Flu Victim, 16

Family: Hospital Did Not Disclose Daughter's H1N1 Diagnosis
Aby Aguiniga, 16, Is County's First Teen Swine Flu Fatality

POSTED: 5:46 pm PST December 11, 2009
UPDATED: 6:02 pm PST December 11, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- A South Bay family mourning the loss of their 16-year-old daughter told 10News they were not made aware of their daughter's swine flu diagnosis.

Montgomery High School student Aby Aguiniga was identified as the first teen to die of swine flu after 10News matched a San Diego County news release against death records.

On Thursday, Montgomery High School helped 10News arrange an interview with Aby's father to thank classmates for helping with funeral costs.


However, as the interview unfolded it became apparent eight days after Aby's death, Ruben Aguiniga did not know the true cause of death.

While Aby did suffer flu-like symptoms, Aguiniga said he was told by doctors at Rady Children's Hospital that his daughter, who lived with Down syndrome, likely died of a heart condition.

"I can't believe it. This is terrible. We have several young children and grandchildren in our home. We need this information," said Aguiniga.

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http://www.10news.com/news/21946524/detail.html