Although fourteen-year-old Chandler Borland has Cerebral Palsy, he is optimistic, witty, and a favorite among students at his high school. As of 2004, Chandler plays the role of “ambassador” for the Easter Seals Society, an organization that has helped disabled children live almost as independently as their “able-bodied peers.”
Despite the doctors’ suggestions that Chandler’s mother abort him because of the health problems he would have, Mrs. Borland-Comartin gave birth to Chandler—12 weeks early. After spending months in an incubator, Chandler was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. His mother watched and worried as he rapidly lost weight, and at age one, stopped eating altogether. But just in time, Chandler’s life was saved by a computerized feeding system from the Easter Seals Society. His weight is still an issue (just 70 lbs on a good day), but Chandler’s cheerful outlook on life is not hindered by health problems.
“I have CP but it’s a lot less severe than other kids,” he remarks, “It’s important for people to know never to give up, no matter how bad it gets…I just want to tell the world to give back.”
Chandler believes he was born with Cerebral Palsy for a reason. For now, he is happy to make life more cheerful for others and to promote the work of the Easter Seals Society, in the hope that more disable children may benefit from its efforts the way he has.
Other Links:
Read full article and watch a video about Chandler Borland:
http://www.mykawartha.com/news/article/27989
This is a link to the website of a professional teen photographer:
http://www.rothermelphotography.com/index.html
This is a link to the website of Matt Grajcar, who found his purposes in his teen years:
http://mattgrajcar.com/home.htm
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Zach Hunter: The Abolitionist of Today
Ever met an abolitionist? 16-year-old Zach Hunter of Atlanta, GA, is a modern-day campaigner against slavery. His organization, Loose Change to Loosen Chains, collects loose pocket change to fund the efforts of national and international law enforcement to remove slaves from their bondage.
About four years ago, Zach took action on his strong desire to free modern-day slaves. He was just twelve when he heard that there are 27 million slaves in the world today. He started the powerful campaign LC2LC and collected over $10,000 of American pocket change to further the abolitionist cause world-wide.
“Slavery can be anything from making bricks…to working in an agricultural plantation to working in a restaurant or brothel,” Zach says. He holds up authentic iron shackles while speaking at high schools or conferences, demonstrating the kind of bondage slaves endure as they work. “They probably would have been used on a 5-year-old boy while he was sitting…all day long, rolling cigarettes.”
Steve Carter, a youth pastor who arranged for Zach to speak to his youth group, commented, “He’s just This is who I am and this is what I have to offer,” and that “He says deeply compelling things.”
Zach continues to fight for freedom. He urges his peers to find the purpose, or passion, that God has given them, and to go after it. “…our passion is freeing slaves. If that’s not your passion, there’s gotta be something else. God intends for you to use whatever you’re good at for the good of the world.”
Other Links:
Read an article about Zach Hunter from Breakaway magazine:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/files/freeresources/breakaway_march.pdf
This is a link to Zach's blog on Breakaway Mag's website:
http://www.breakawaymag.com/alltherest/a000000686.cfm
Discover more about modern-day slavery and human trafficking:
http://www.gvnet.com/humantrafficking/
About four years ago, Zach took action on his strong desire to free modern-day slaves. He was just twelve when he heard that there are 27 million slaves in the world today. He started the powerful campaign LC2LC and collected over $10,000 of American pocket change to further the abolitionist cause world-wide.
“Slavery can be anything from making bricks…to working in an agricultural plantation to working in a restaurant or brothel,” Zach says. He holds up authentic iron shackles while speaking at high schools or conferences, demonstrating the kind of bondage slaves endure as they work. “They probably would have been used on a 5-year-old boy while he was sitting…all day long, rolling cigarettes.”
Steve Carter, a youth pastor who arranged for Zach to speak to his youth group, commented, “He’s just This is who I am and this is what I have to offer,” and that “He says deeply compelling things.”
Zach continues to fight for freedom. He urges his peers to find the purpose, or passion, that God has given them, and to go after it. “…our passion is freeing slaves. If that’s not your passion, there’s gotta be something else. God intends for you to use whatever you’re good at for the good of the world.”
Other Links:
Read an article about Zach Hunter from Breakaway magazine:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/files/freeresources/breakaway_march.pdf
This is a link to Zach's blog on Breakaway Mag's website:
http://www.breakawaymag.com/alltherest/a000000686.cfm
Discover more about modern-day slavery and human trafficking:
http://www.gvnet.com/humantrafficking/
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