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“I believe that no hardship is too severe to limit your ability to live life to its fullest.” One phone call is all it takes to dispirit a life. In 2004, my parents received a phone call letting them know that my brother has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, also known as DMD. At the time the alarming words of doctors whirled around my parents, and created a storm of confusion. All they could focus on was the fact that their beloved four year old son was cursed with a disease that left them with no hope of a long, healthy life for their son. Duchenne is 100% fatal, and threatens death by the age of 25. It is an evil intruder that disintegrates muscles and demolishes the body’s functions. These stark facts struck like destructive lightning. Once the uproar passed, my parents had a epiphany. They decided to use their frustration as fuel to build a powerful engine that would conquer DMD. At first my parents were devastated when they were dealt one of life’s most depressing hardships, the notion that they would loose a child. However, they turned this privation into incentive to live their life with no regrets. The severe nature of Duchenne has the power to wreck my brothers life. His ability to play sports, run around, even open open the car door or walk a few steps has been robbed from him. Although this illness has created countless opportunities for Charley to sit in his room and cry “woe is me”, he defies these expected grievances. Every day, Charley lives life like there is no tomorrow and there was no yesterday. He continues to find ways to pursue his passions in life and shatter all stereotypes. At Charley’s recent high school graduation he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, a moment that warmed the hearts of everyone watching. In the upcoming fall Charley will be attending NYU, his dream school that he put countless hours of effort and dedication into. The living conditions of my parents and my brother may not be prime, but they still continue to amaze me everyday with their inspiring efforts to live life to its fullest. You don’t have to be struck with an illness to be put down. Some hardships are more severe than others, but everyone faces obstacles that can get in the way of living life to its fullest. Some little things like a bad grade on a math test, letting in a goal during a PK shoot out, flubbing your only solo during the band concert, or getting in a massive fight with your parents, can be disheartening. These life hurdles can leave you with a desire to do nothing but lay in bed and pout. But -- take it from Charley, who put DMD in its place -- this one bad grade, this one mess up, this one fight does not define who you are, and it certainty does not put a limit on your ability to live life.  Here are a few other I Believe statements... RB: I believe family and friends are important things to have in life. IF: I believe that even through hardships, anything is possible. SG: I believe in equality for everyone. KW: I believe we should have gender-neutral bathrooms. AA: I believe those who face adversity come out the other end stronger. HL: I believe everyone has a purpose. 
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We are Monument Valley Regional Middle School seventh and eighth graders who are making hats to donate to babies who will benefit from having the warmth of the caps. This is our second year doing this community service project where students got to pick from 15 different options. Our group picked caps for kids. We thought about making hats for these babies and giving them to Fairview hospital and the Berkshire baby box. What caps for kids means to us is...: Caps for kids means for me is that we can provide a warm hat for babies in the hospital or for babies that don't have a hat. Caps for kids means to me that giving back helps show compassion for younger generations. Caps for Kids means to me that helping families and babies get things that they need. Caps for Kids means to me that giving service to the community. Caps for Kids means to me that babies will have a good hat. Caps for Kids means to me that helping out babies to ensure that they are warm. And it's a good deed. Caps for Kids means to me that babies will be warm and comfy with their new hat. The first day we made 75 baby hats to give to Hinda Bodinger from Berkshire Baby Box and to Fairview Hospital that was just the first of what we made. When Hinda from Berkshire Baby Box came in, she had told us that she had given away 1,200 baby boxes in 3 years starting in 2016! She then showed us what came in the cardboard bassinet. They had Halo Sleep Sack, Cap, Bib, Burp Cloth, Extra Fitted Sheet, Baby Supplies: 2 Baby Books Baby Body Wash Washcloth Diapers Baby Wipes Diaper Rash Ointment Washable Breast Pads Maternity Sanitary Pads Condoms And Donated by the KIWANIS: One box of Outlet Plug Covers One Safety Bath (Water Temperature Gauge) Rubber Ducky 17 Piece Deluxe Baby Healthcare & Grooming Kit: Nasal aspirator, digital thermometer with case, soft-tip medicine dispenser, comfort tip medicine spoon with cap, brush, comb, scissors, nail clipper, fingertip toothbrush, and emery boards Includes a baby care wellness and safety guide. With all of this, she has to get grants to be able to put all of these supplies in the boxes and these are necessities for the box even if they are on the pricier side. All of this is run from inside her Egremont home with many types of shelving units. We have all learned a lot from this experience and feel like we have contributed a little to help out our community. We thank Hinda for all she has done for the community by providing these boxes for becoming mothers and fathers. All you have to do is go to one of her seminars to receive a box. We also thank our teachers Mrs. Rueger, Mrs. Lavoie, Mrs. Tarnawa, and our paraprofessionals. Sincerely, MVM YES PROGRAM CAPS FOR KIDS  |
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Photo used under Creative Commons from mastermaq
