Happy St. Patty Boy's Day

This is a repost, a very special repost. I've called several times to check on Patrice's status without getting anyone to pick up tonight (3/17/2010). The original post that follows was written two years ago today, linking to posts I had written four years ago when the accident happened. "Patty Boy Blemur" (link below) made me cry again reading it and remembering the deep emotions.

 He is still in my heart and still mentioned to my current students.

March 17, 2008
*It's now been three St. Patrick's Days that Patrice wasn't supposed to be able to have, yet here he is having another one. I just got off the phone with his nurses and although he still hasn't made any progress....I choose to believe he will.

I could cry...I could get angry....Instead I'll just choose to continue to believe.

Here's a post my daughter Bella and I put together for him last year.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone, and especially to Patrice Blemur.

Patrice is a student of mine who was involved in a fatal car accident in January of 2006. His mother was killed in the crash and Patrice was left in a coma. He initially wasn't supposed to be lucky enough to make  it to St. Patty's Day of last year, let alone this one.

Today he is celebrating the unexpected, due to his strong desire to live, his great nurses and doctors, and the love of a father who visits him every day.  It is a testimony to the POWER of BELIEF!

Last night I talked to Rob, who along with other great nurses like Teddy, Carmelita and Mam, keep me updated on Patrice's progress if I miss connecting with his dad.  Fedre Blemur is an inspiration to me, going to his son's bedside every night no matter how long the day has been.

My own daughter is holding Patrice's picture for me, which I keep by my door at home.  I can only hope to have the strength Patrice's father has shown, should something similar happen to one of my own children.

Last night at the party Patrice was awake and alert, which is a good sign.  He's even attending school outside of his hospital unit.  He still has a long way to go, and no matter what your belief systems are, I humbly ask that you simply......believe in him.

Whether it's a two-word statement "I Believe!" right now, or a letter or card, it DOES make a difference, and it DOES  matter.

Thank you,

Adam

*p.s. I'm going to make a CD for him of me reading stories and doing the voices he loved (i.e. Jorgan von Jorgenson from "The Fairly Odd Parents").  Don't let your limitations stop you. I supposedly have one of the highest IQ's in the country, yet encounter things I can't yet do all the time, like burning a CD.

Step 1: "Put the blank disc in drive."

- In drive? I can't even get this thing out of park!

Just because it doesn't come easily to me it doesn't mean I can give up.  All I have to do is find a seven-year-old at school who knows how to do what I don't :-). EVERYONE is smarter than I am in some way; in that, I learn of them (paraphrasing either Emerson or Whitman).


*Correspondence can be sent to:
Patrice Blemur
Unit Two
Franciscan Hospital for Children30 Warren St.
Boston, MA  02135

**For the background story of why and how Patrice is so special to me and many others, first read "What Will You do That Will Last Forever?" by clicking here.

Then read "Patty Boy Blemur" (clicking here).

This poem is from the latter:

Patty Boy Blemur
One thing we know for sure
He gave the world his best
Now it’s time for him to rest

But he wanted me to tell ya
In fact I think he’s trying to yell it
That no dream is ever too small
No challenge is ever too tall

For it’s those who learn to DREAM BIG
And who have the courage to DO BIG
That are the ones who truly BECOME BIG

The size of your world is the size of your mind
So get to readin’, writin’ and learnin’
While you still have the time

Find out how truly special and smart you really are
Make the world a better place
SHINE BRIGHT AND BECOME A STAR

Thank you and goodbye to Orlo Vista
I will never, ever, forget ya

Goodbye Patrice. I will never forget YOU.
Mr. Stuart
Your Teacher

(March 2006)