Fifth Grader Packs a Positive Force
Famed American composer Irving Berlin said, “Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it.” For illustration, let me share the story of Colorado Academy fifth grader Casey Myers.
Last month, our fifth grade students went on a class retreat designed to provide physical and mental challenges, and to introduce students in their Lower School years to a variety of leadership training. During that day, Lower School Counselor Kate O’Donnell texted me
a photo from the ropes course facility. That photo impressed and amazed me; it was a picture of Casey Myers on the course in a vertical climb up a tall pole that looks like a telephone pole. He’s outfitted in his helmet, climbing harness and gear, and gloves.
If you don’t know Casey, read on.
If you do know Casey, then nothing here will surprise you. Casey came to Colorado Academy beginning in Pre-K. It has been a remarkable privilege to watch him grow through his Lower School years. Casey has been a positive force on this campus and a reminder of how each of us should approach life: with determination, patience, courage, and kindness. I asked Casey’s parents for permission to share his story with you. Recently, I sat down to talk with him about CA and his accomplishment on the ropes course.
Casey was born 12 weeks premature with a massive tumor attached to his spine and tailbone. According to his parents, Casey underwent four surgeries to remove the tumor. “Luckily,” [my italics, but their word], his parents said, “The only serious side effect was damage to the nerves feeding his lower extremities. “ Casey spends every night trying to build his strength by using a brace and walking with crutches and a walker.
His mother told me that they chose CA because “Casey needed to be stimulated and challenged academically and we knew our local school would not do the trick. We also heard through other families that the public school system was not equipped to accommodate a special needs child. In fact, there was a possibility of placing this bright young boy in special education class because he could not perform certain functions on his own. Imagine, being moved to an inappropriate class because he could not hop a curb or open his own door,” said his mother. When I asked Casey about what he loved about CA, Casey put the teachers at the top of his list. His parents say, “ “Every single teacher at CA has made a big impact on Casey, from Pre-K through fifth.” It seems, as well, that Casey makes an impact wherever he goes.
Casey is the epitome of what CA promotes through its mission: students who immerse themselves in being an intellectual, an artist, and an athlete. Casey’s fifth grade teacher Buck McKenna observes, “Casey wants more than to just attend CA. What I think makes Casey so special is his desire to be involved in all aspects of CA. Casey independently navigates between class, violin lessons and working on Mustang News. Casey exemplifies the welcoming and dedicated spirit of CA.”
Chris Hertig, Casey’s fourth grade teacher says, “What strikes me the most about Casey is how resilient he is. Every day at recess he faces the challenges of playing with his classmates, yet he is out there on the soccer field, playing four square, sledding, or climbing the play structures. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t shy away from the obstacles he has to face. The daily grit that Casey exhibits is a testament to his character. Every day that I spend with Casey, his wheelchair fades further into the background and his personality, humor, violin-playing, sense of fairness, and academic acumen move to the forefront. When you see what Casey has to fight through to accomplish what so many of us take for granted, one can’t help but wonder what we all could achieve at CA if we faced every challenge with the same attitude and determination that Casey does.”
Casey loves recess and computer time, and has enjoyed getting better on the violin, an instrument he has played since Kindergarten. Music teacher Becky Burchfield notes, “He is the perfect 6 “C”’s kiddo. Such grit, determination, perseverance, and passion! He continues to astound me! And he is so humble.”
Talking to Casey should remind all of us about the importance of perspective. When I talked
to him, I noted that in my job, people tend to come to me with issues that they perceive as problems, but really aren’t. I told him that I see him on campus in his wheelchair and I never have ever heard him complain about anything. He responds: “Before I knew about wheel chair sports, I dreamed of being able-bodied ....
But then I saw these guys in wheelchairs at wheelchair sports camp and they were cruising. When I realized I could do wheel chair sports, I was like, ‘awesome!’”
Casey enjoys playing hockey, basketball, and tennis. During the winter, he skis every weekend at Breckenridge. During the summer and fall, he rides his hand cycle and attends kayaking clinics. Lower School Counselor Kate O’Donnell, observes, “Amazingly, Casey can
do lots that other kids can’t, like pull himself into a handstand with his upper body strength and play goalie with just his hands. He tries everything and always finds a way to be a part of the classroom and the playground.“
Casey sets goals for himself and accomplishes so much on his own, but he also graciously accepts the help of others. O’Donnell continues, “Students have always seen the role of helping with things he needs as an honor and never a burden. He is incredibly independent but will always benefit from the awareness of those around him. It has been a learning curve for all the students to remember that he can’t always run alongside them, but he will catch up. In those times, I have been impressed with the parent and faculty community that step in to remind their children to think creatively about how he can be involved in everything.”
Casey described a recent time when he was having a hard time getting up a hill and his friend, Colin Boublik, came out of nowhere to help him. When asked about accepting help, he said, “Well, I usually ask, but sometimes people step right in. I either say, ‘no thanks, I can do this myself,’ or I accept their help.” Recently, he set a goal to push himself up the hill and was so proud when he accomplished it on his own.
At the ropes course with his fellow fifth graders, Casey says he was not nervous but instead, he was excited to participate. “I was totally up for it...I am completely an athletic guy.” O’Donnell’s complete description of the event is worth sharing:
“The highlight of the day was Casey on the high ropes elements. He fully participated in belaying three other students. Then, he attempted a high element that required him to use all upper body strength. His three teammates and an instructor lifted him as he pulled himself. They all worked really hard to help him climb about 15 to 20 feet off the ground. The real highlight was when he did the zip line. The instructor harnessed him in, and a group of about 8-10 students pulled
him to the top of the zip line. You could hear students from all different elements on the course yell encouragement to him: “Come
on Casey.” “Go Casey.” “You got this man.” Then when he got to the top all the students were chanting “Casey! Casey! Casey!” and he flew down with a huge smile on his face. The students ran under him to give him high fives. I can easily say it was one of the highest points of my career, and I have seen some amazing things happen. To see him be celebrated by his peers and to watch him belay and them belay him with so much trust was inspiring. “ Casey adds, “I enjoyed being able to participate on the zip line. I could not do some of the ropes course where you needed to use your legs, but I found a way to do some of it, and my friends cheered me on. That felt great.”
Casey’s parents, Tim and Marni, serve
as role models for all of us. They do a great deal to support Casey’s intellectual and musical gifts. But, perhaps most importantly, through modeling for Casey a “you can do it” philosophy that he has so clearly adopted. His mother told me, “Since Kindergarten we have preached tough love with Casey, telling him he can do anything that he desires to do. Just find ‘your’ way to do it. Get out there and try it. He’s a tough kid and enjoys showing naysayers he can do something, like walking on his hands or pulling 100 push ups out of nowhere. He is our hero, and we learn from him on a daily basis.”
Casey sets an example for and brings out the best in all of us; his presence reminds us that resilience, determination, enthusiasm, and perspective are what “make” a life and make the best of it, too.
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