… In Darkness, Be Light – a blogfest of creative posts on all
manner of subjects … highlighting positivity to let more light into our lives ---
we the lucky ones …
Two stories about 10 year olds this month … both extraordinary which will make you sit up and think … and readjust the way you look at the world …
First off - a kid, who could not type – not because he wasn’t technically capable – but because he had no hands, nor - for that matter - feet …
Early on he was fitted with prosthetic limbs … so he was able to get around … but without hands – how do you live … here’s a lad with personality and determination to lead an independent life …
Ever heard of Zion … Zion Harvey has recently received the gift of a double hand transplant … his ambition was to swing a baseball – successfully ticked off.
He is so chuffed with life … he’s got one left hand AND one right hand … so says the 10 year old.
“They can always help me. When I fall down, I’ll get right back up.”
His consultant commented … “he’s a remarkable human being, let
alone child or adult”.
Incredible … do take a look at any Youtube clips you can find for your country –
he’s infectious ... his smile, his laughter, his joie de vivre !!
He wants to write to the donor's parents ... to let them know they have given him the miracle of having hands ... he has this goal - he can write his name ... so it won't be long before a thank you letter gets sent off.
Number two – a young Afghan refugee “the little Picasso”,
Farhad Nouri. He lives in a refugee camp
with his two younger brothers and parents in Belgrade, Serbia, having fled
Afghanistan two years ago …
… "I want to help him and to show other people how they can help him" ...
Two wonderful kids … thoughtful, determined to make the best
of life, and to care for others …
Zion: How the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia helped him ...
Farhad: Shown sketching - and telling us in English how much he loves drawing and art ...
We are the World ... in Darkness, be
Light ...
Hosts for this month’s linkup are: Simon Falk, Roshan
Radhakrishnan, Inderpreet Uppal, Lynn
Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, and Mary J Giese
If you’d like to contribute a post, please Click on this Link that will allow
you to see who is participating and a place for you to add your own post.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
62 comments:
Amazing - I hadn't heard of either of these two. Both inspirational.
Oh how brilliant they both are - and how willing children are to do things for other children that they perceive to be in more need. They are truly an inspiration. Thank you Hilary.
Oh how I love uplifting stories of heroes - especially when they are so young - it makes me mad when healthy children complain. Kudos to those two kids and all the rest with such great spirits! sandie
"And a little child shall lead them."
Remarkable. Children often teach the rest of us what it means to be courageous, strong, and caring. Thanks for sharing these two stories. Those boys are extraordinary.
Wonderful stories Hilary! Small children HUGE hearts - they lead the way for us - for their bravery and courage - thank you!
What selfless little individuals already learning about humanity and love. A great reminder to everyone really. Thanks for sharing these stories.
Inspiring stories, Hilary!
@ Anabel - I thought so too - they definitely inspire me ...
@ Fil - I know we can't help but be impressed by their attitude to life and their ability to give back ... the thanks and helping others ...
@ Sandie - aren't they up lifting - I agree we are lucky in the world we live in and should be grateful for life, and thus be available to help others- these two are leaders ...
@ Susan - how right you are: little children do lead us ... They are remarkable - as you say they teach us to be courageous, strong and caring ... and I'm delighted I've shared their stories ...
@ Susan - small children have huge hearts and make us get on and help them - you are right they lead the way for us with their bravery and courage ...
@ Blogoratti - love the way you've expressed their attitude to life - selfless and learning about humanity and love. A great reminder to us all - as you note ...
@ Ian - aren't they great stories and people ...
Cheers and thanks everyone - the WATWB fest is a great truth teller to remind us of others - have good weekends - Hilary
Astonishing, Hilary. And humbling.
Moving and totally inspiring. These stories should make others feel ashamed of ever complaining about their lot!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s histrionic Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Thank you, Hilary, for your inspirational stories!
How inspiring! And what an amazing artist he is. Thanks for sharing this story, Hilary.
Oh what bright lights these two young ones are! These two stories fill my heart to bursting.
Moved to tears. And applauding. LOUDLY.
Very humbling.
What wonderful kids, it is so nice to hear such stories. Too often one hears quite the opposite kind of story. Thanks for telling us about them Hilary.
Oh my goodness. These kids put most adults to shame. How wonderful that they're learning kindness and compassion at such a young age, and exhibiting such positivity.
Wonderful stories.
My goodness Hilary, you found some incredibly inspiring young men! How amazing that Zion will soon be able to write that thank you letter. I am excited for him to have both a right hand AND a left hand, too!
How selfless and talented Farhad is to earn money from the exhibition so he can raise money for another boy's life-saving treatment. I imagine that his family must be so proud of him making the most of his time while awaiting a new home country.
Thank you for sharing the stories of these boys with us this month!
@ Mike – yes humbling is the right word isn’t it …
@ Bazza – I agree these kids show us what life is about …
@ Monti – they are inspirational …
@ Elizabeth – just amazing both of them - glad you appreciated their stories …
@ Deborah – great description ‘bright lights’ - both kids are most certainly that – and yes, bring my heart to bursting too when I see them smiling so brightly …
@ EC – I know … they do me too – tears well up. Thanks they do deserve to be brought to our attention so we can applaud them …
@ Sandra – as you say: very humbling …
@ Jo – isn’t it so good to read about such wonderful kids and stories … sadly there’s a negative streak in so much of life …
@ Lynda – yes, don’t they put most adults to shame … and as you point out are learning kindness and compassion when so young, and exhibiting positivity …
@ Liz – just such excellent role models …
@ Emily – they are inspirational … Zion’s story is just wonderful and he puts it all so succinctly … he has a right and a left hand. Brilliant as you mention that he’ll be able to write that letter soon.
Farhad is so talented … I hope they can be granted a new home country soon … so he can continue his art … but just so generous to support a Serbian boy’s life treatment …
Thanks so much everyone – these boys do inspire don’t they … and set us examples … have good weekends - Hilary
We take so many things for granted, then we see these wonderful treasures who refuse to allow limits to restrict them as they live their lives with such joy and gifts. Thanks so much for sharing this. It's so phenomenal! Happy Saturday!
These boys are angels-- and we all have these angels inside-- we just let 'growing up' take it right out of us.
Thanks for telling us about these boys-- there's hope for humanity when our next generation includes humans like this.
Thanks for being a part of WATWB, Hilary-- I love that you bring such beautiful stories each time.
These boys are fantastic role models of caring, overcoming adversity and unselfishness. They bring shame to a lot of uncaring, selfish, arrogant adults in this world.
What amazing kids. No keeping them down. Thanks for sharing these on a cloudy Saturday.
Always good to keep a life perspective. Those kids are amazing and part of the positive in this world. And I do believe there is more good than evil around. Excellent blog post
Incredible kids. I'll be honest in saying I'm curious to see what happens with Farhad over the next 30 years. I have a feeling he's going to move on to incredible things artistically.
Woot, woot! I must cheer for them both. Extraordinary people overcoming so much in their young lives.
@ RO - yes so true isn't it - they just enjoy one thing and bring it to life without worrying ... and then get on with things ...
@ Damyanti - I agree - I definitely won't forget these two angels - and sadly as we grow we lose their joie de vivre and living in the moment. I'm sure there's hope for humanity ... these two boys and others like them will bring hope for the future ...
@ Kim - aren't they amazing role models - which we recognise ... somehow we just have to get the thoughtless peoples to learn from them ...
@ Kali- that I agree ... no keeping them down. We've had a really hot day here with little wind ... makes a change!
@ Joanne - your words 'life perspective' adds to my post - I'm sure there's more good around, than 'bad', just sadly the media seem to focus on the negativity ... these kids don't see to have that ...
@ Robert - aren't they incredible. Zion will be a brilliant motivational speaker, while as you rightly imply Farhad will be a brilliant artist ... can just see it happening ...
@ Mary - love your comment ... "Woot, woot ..." absolutely cheer for them- and beating the odds of life ...
Thanks so much for your visits, as you've all implied, these kids will go far and will inspire others ... cheers Hilary
Oh my gosh, Zion is such an inspiration! He's also a 30 year-old trapped in a little boy's body. He speaks so eloquently for his age. I didn't realize that doctors were transplanting hands, but they made an exceptional choice by making Zion the first recipient. Thank you for sharing his story and that of Farhad, who's artistic talents are amazing. Thank you also for participating in this month's #WATWB.
Thanks for sharing their stories. I have seen little Zion on TV and he is, indeed, a remarkable child. I never heard of Farhad, what a wonderful boy, to think of others while living in a refugee camp himself. And so talented.
Amazing stories
What wonderful stories. These remarkable boys inspire me and center me in gratitude. I often seek out stories like this to keep my head up and put a determined smile on my face. Thank-you for sharing these and have a fantastic week,
Andrea
They are two remarkable young men. Prayers for both of them to continue their success and inspiring others!
Both of these stories are so beautiful. Love seeing happy news like this. This is what the world needs more of. Such inspirations. Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess
Beautiful stories, both of them! Zion's comment on having "one left hand AND one right hand" made me chuckle — and then immediately tear up, haha. And how brilliant of Farhad, who lives in what any of us would consider a dire situation, to use the income from his exhibition to help a family from his host country pay for medical treatment. How lovely to think that these two will grow up to be wonderful adults we can feel good about leaving the world to.
Thanks for sharing these stories, Hilary!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
@ Mary – how right you are a 30 year old in a little lad’s body – so wise and so eloquent. I think they’ve been wanting to try double hand transplants for a while … but when Zion came along he was the ideal patient. Farhad looks to be so gentle doesn’t he … a wonderful creative soul …
@ Inger – I’m glad you’ve seen little Zion on tv – a remarkable lad isn’t he. I hadn’t heard of Farhad before either – but he fitted my bill to tell everyone about him … such a great artist …
@ Jo-Anne – yes both children are amazing …
@ Andrea – one cannot complain after having read their stories can we? So glad you’ve taken them to heart.
@ Mary – exactly and I’m sure they’ll be inspiring others for a long time to come …
@ Jess – I agree … we need to see happiness and be reminded that happiness is around … we just need to put the negativity out of our mind – usually we can’t do anything about it …
@ Guilie – isn’t Zion brilliant … that made me chuckle too – he’s a great character. I agree being an Afghan refugee in landlocked Serbia, even with his family, must be so difficult – then learning English … and with his artistic ability – so fortunate for them … and for him to want to help another child, who is Serbian.
Wonderful to think of these two kids growing up with their attitudes, which they will impart to all peoples they meet in their lives …
Thanks so much to you all – and I’m so delighted these two kids have touched your hearts … cheers Hilary
Wow! Those are two amazing young people who are making the world a better place! Thank you for sharing!
Both children are inspiring. Leave it to children to teach us adults. What have I done to make the world a better place? Not enough. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
I'm convinced it's the next generation who'll show us the way to heal our world, and your post reinforces that belief. Thank you for sharing the stories of these two incredible youngsters.
Have a great week,
Nila.
Both are sure amazing kiddos indeed. Teaching adults along the way. I saw the arm transplant boy on the news. Amazing what they can do today.
I love reading stories like these. They put my self-absorbed little life into a much larger perspective. Thanks for telling us about these wonderful boys. The world can't be all bad with the likes of them amongst us.
I had heard of the boy without hands or feet. Truly remarkable young people. It gives me hope for the world.
Hey Hilary,
Yep and now I tracked up to this post.
Such inspirational stories. Zion may well throw a baseball better than I ever could and yes, I've sort of played baseball.
Thanks, Hilary.
Gary
@ Tyrean – aren’t they both inspiring kids …
@ Alana – you’re so right kids do teach us so much … and what have I done to help others … not enough that’s for sure – they are great advocates for helping themselves …
@ Nila – I’m sure it’s usually the next generation (or the ones recently born) who show us the way forward in a positive light – you’ve expressed it well. We need to catch their spirit …
@ Pat – medicine is incredible today …and volunteers are wonderful … so these two kids are making the best of their lives, setting examples to us all …
@ Lee – I agree … stories like this make my heart sing – that’s why I like having them here on the blog – I can refer to them … and as you say the world can’t be all bad with the likes of them amongst us …
@ Susan – I’d spotted Zion probably on the tv, as well as in a news magazine I get … but he’s so bubbly … it’s been wonderful to write more about him. While Farhad has shown what amazing talent he has … I’m sure we’ll be seeing more about him.
@ Gary – good to see you … I’ve never played baseball … and I’d hate to think about my throwing abilities now!
Cheers to you all – and thanks for coming by and being inspired by these two lads - Hilary
Both are such wonderful and inspirational human beings. And at such a young age too.
Stories like these remind me I'm lucky to have hands, feet, a home and so many other things I tend to take for granted.
Stories like these make my heart swell. I have seen Zion's story and I am amazed by his determination. Now I have been introduced to the wonderful young Farhad. Hope you're having a great week, Hilary! :)
What inspirational children indeed Hilary! Remarkable achievements by both. Thank you for bringing them to me. :-)
Such inspiring kids. We can sure learn from them. Thanks for sharing!
We just don't have as much to grumble about as we sometimes think we do, do we?
YOU, have a wonderful day.
These are resilient kids.
@ Kelly - it's wonderful how much kids can teach us ...
@ Patsy - so true ... we must remember we are all lucky with what we have and what we take for granted ...
@ Christine - your son must about this age, maybe a little younger, but you can see their determination to lead a full life ... and also make others happy ...
@ Deborah - aren't they inspirational ... it's wonderful when they teach us
that we have so much to be grateful for ...
@ Chrys - oh I know ... we probably should surround ourselves with kids and watch how they achieve - and as you say we can learn ...
@ Sandra - nope ... nothing to grumble about - or certainly shouldn't have if we get our heads in gear ... thanks I will today have a wet and wonderful day, after lots of heat ...
@ Donna - resilient is a good word ... just brilliant kids ...
Cheers to you all - and thanks for being here ... Hilary
i think the job you have done here is truly a "worship"!!!!!!!!!................
tears roll down while reading these touching stories.
we live in world of darkness though but still there is silver lining behind each dark cloud and end of these beautiful stories show this obviously Hilary .
thank you for uplifting my day
Wow beautiful young souls Great inspiration
Such inspiring stories. Thank you for bringing them to our attention, Hilary!
@ Baili - thanks so much ... the kids deserve their recognition, as well as whatever help they can get. I know we do get moved to tears ... that's why I wanted their stories here on the blog - I can get back to them - and ...
... as you say their stories are uplifting ...
@ Marja - amazing kids aren't they and inspirational ...
@ Deniz - delighted to highlight them here: they deserve all the kudos they can get ...
Cheers to the three of you - so glad you've learnt about these two lads - so deserving of our respect ... thank you - Hilary
Hi Hilary, Sorry it has taken me this long to get to your post in this busy week. I was not at all disappointed. What amazing and charming young fellows these are, Zion and Farhad. So thankful for what we take for granted. Thanks for sharing Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
Hi Simon - no worries ... I often get left behind in commenting et al. I'm just glad you've been and felt like leaving a comment ... mind you one can't help oneself after meeting up with these two ... great to see you - cheers Hilary
As an adult, I always get inspired by seeing young people having the courage and positive spirit to do things we take for granted, or never think about doing. Thanks so much for encouraging us. Happy Saturday!
Hi RO - these two just bowled me over with their enthusiasm for life and their aptitude at being able to adjust ... you're right we should be encouraged by these kids, especially with their attitude - cheers Hilary
Beautiful. An incredibly inspiriting post, Hilary. I love these wonderful human stories. So many brave and resilient children in the world.
Hi Ann - these two kids show us what can be done and are inspiring to us. Thanks for visiting ... cheers Hilary
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