As Amy Hagadorn rounded the corner across the hall from her classroom, she
collided with a tall boy from the fifth grade running in the opposite direction.
"Watch it, Squirt," the boy yelled, as he dodged around the little third grader.
Then, with a smirk on his face, the boy took hold of his right leg and mimicked
the way Amy limped when she walked.
Amy closed her eyes for a moment. Ignore him, she told herself as she headed for
her classroom.
But at the end of the day, Amy was still thinking about the tall boy's mean
teasing. It wasn't as if he were the only one. It seemed that ever since Amy
started the third grade, someone teased her every single day. Kids teased her
about her speech or her limping. Amy was tired of it. Sometimes, even in a
classroom full of other students, the teasing made her feel all alone.
Back home at the dinner table that evening Amy was quiet. Her mother knew that
things were not going well at school. That's why Patti Hagadorn was happy to
have some exciting news to share with her daughter.
"There's a Christmas Wish Contest on the radio station," Amy's mom announced.
"Write a letter to The Station Manager and you might win a prize. I think
someone at this table with blond curly hair should enter."
Amy giggled. The contest sounded like fun. She started thinking about what she
hoped for most for Christmas.
A smile took hold of Amy when the idea first came to her. Out came pencil and
paper and Amy went to work on her letter. "Dear Station Manager," she began.
While Amy worked away at her best printing, the rest of the family tried to
guess what she might hope for. Amy's sister, Jamie, and Amy's mom both thought a
3-foot Barbie Doll would top Amy's wish list. Amy's dad guessed a picture book.
But Amy wasn't ready to reveal her secret Christmas hope just then. Here is
Amy's letter, just as she wrote it that night:
Dear Station Manager,
My name is Amy. I am 9 years old. I have a problem at school. Can you help me,
Please? Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and run and talk. I have
cerebral palsy. I just want one day where no one laughs at me or makes fun of
me.
Love,
Amy
At radio station WJLT in Fort Wayne, Indiana, letters poured in for the
Christmas Wish Contest. The workers had fun reading about all the different
presents that boys and girls from across the city wanted for Christmas.
When Amy's letter arrived at the radio station, manager Lee Tobin read it
carefully. He knew cerebral palsy was a muscle disorder that might confuse the
schoolmates of Amy who didn't understand her disability. He thought it would be
good for the people in Fort Wayne to hear about this special third grader and
her unusual desire. Mr. Tobin called up the local newspaper.
The next day, a picture of Amy and her letter made the front page of The News
Sentinel. The story spread quickly. All across the country, newspapers and radio
and television stations reported the story of the little girl in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, who asked for such a simple, yet remarkable, Christmas gift-- just one
day without teasing.
Suddenly the postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house. Envelopes of all sizes
addressed to Amy arrived daily from children and adults all across the nation.
They came filled with holiday greetings and words of encouragement.
During that unforgettable Christmas season, over two thousand people from all
over the world sent Amy letters of friendship and support. Amy and her family
read every single one. Some of the writers had disabilities; some had been
teased as children. Each writer had a special message for Amy. Through the cards
and letters from strangers, Amy glimpsed a world full of people who truly cared
about each other. She realized that no amount or form of teasing could ever make
her feel lonely again.
Many people thanked Amy for being brave enough to speak up. Others encouraged
her to ignore teasing and to carry her head high. Lynn, a sixth grader from
Texas, sent this message:
"I would like to be your friend," she wrote, "and if you want to visit me, we
could have fun. No one would make fun of us, cause, if they do, we will not even
hear them."
Amy did get her desire of a special day without teasing at South Wayne
Elementary School. Additionally, everyone at school got an added bonus. Teachers
and students talked together about how bad teasing can make others feel.
That year, the Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed December 21st as Amy Jo
Hagadorn Day throughout the city. The mayor explained that by daring to make
such a simple hope known, Amy taught a universal lesson.
"Everyone," said the mayor, "wants and deserves to be treated with respect,
dignity and warmth."
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God): for he that cometh to
God must believe that He is, and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him (God). (Hebrews 11:6)
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
Thanks to Chaplain 777
chaplain777@hotmail.com
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