An 11-year-old named John with a life-limiting illness has found some inspiration about life from a former police officer, who also struggles daily.
The Phoenix boy, John, has a smooth muscle disorder. It's a rare disease that prevents the stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder from functioning properly.
He learned about the officer, Jason Schechterle, through his teacher and news articles and wanted to meet him.
Schechterle's vehicle exploded when it was rear-ended in 2001. The accident left him severely burned and disfigured. But instead of isolating himself, Schechterle has focused his energy in the community by encouraging others to triumph over life's challenges.
"I was surprised. He looks much, much better now," the boy told a reporter from the Arizona Republic.
It amazed me how this child deals with his illness. He's had a pretty hard life.
I'm planning to share this story with my kids. Do you ever talk about other people's (other kid's) challenges with your kids? How do they respond?
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
Yes, I do and it's a relief
Yes, I do and it's a relief to see that someone else sees the value. For us, it has come up when watching the news. For example when the little girl fell and died at the Grand Canyon my daughter was so sad for her she was crying. We spoke about the value of life and loving people today when you can. Easier said than done sometimes!
I can't think of another specific instance, but I don't shelter my daughter from the ugly of life. I want her to understand that life is full of joy - as well as challenges so that she can see the value in each.
My mother spent the last few
My mother spent the last few years of her life in a Rehab /Nursing Home and we took our kids there several times a week. In addition to visiting their grandmother, they also learned that there people who are in wheelchairs or who are missing a limb or who are not in touch with reality and need special care.
It was good for them to develop empathy for the suffering and to see the disabled and elderly as part of the broad spectrum of humanity. They don't feel 'uncomfortable' around people with disabilities --- they only see the person.
I agree it is important to show children that not everyone has a perfect life, but that that's ok.
Amazing story! We've
Amazing story! We've actually experienced this personally as Officer Schecterle's children attend my daugthers private catholic school. His wife, Suzie is very involved in the school as well. It's amazing how the children at the school see Jason as just another person. You don't see stares or glares or anything when Jason is around, which is pretty much every afternoon picking up the kids. He is an inspiration for all. He does not usually hear his prostetic ear and nose often either. I do see him wear them for church sometimes, but he is comfortable in his own skin and proud of it! My girls are aware of his story and aware that just because someone does not look like us (whether it be skin color, disability, etc), they are just like us, human. I also recall a time when my oldest (8 years old) saw a person that had one leg and saw a little boy staring at her. She asked if she could tell the little boy it's not nice to stare and could hurt that persons feelings. Children are a blessing!
There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one!
I love that story. It's a
I love that story. It's a perfect one to share. Even in cartoons these days, there are kids who don't looke the same or are missing an arm or are in a wheelchair. I try really hard to point it out to my son, how everyone comes in different shapes, sizes and colors and with different abilities, but we can all be friends.
I like to emphasize that we don't ignore people because they are different. We act to them like we act to anyone else.
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.