Redding School District

Dorothy and Ernie sat in the waiting area at the children’s clinic enduring the painful anguish to which they were very familiar.   After a long wait, the doctor appeared in the doorway and announced that the tests are finished.  Unsmiling, the doctor spoke in a calm even tone “The boy had been tested for everything imaginable,” he said.  “One of the tests had come back positive.  The test for Cystic Fibrosis.”  The prognosis was very bad.  Little Scotty, age eight, was most certainly not going to live to see nine.  He had perhaps six months to live.  “I am very sorry.”  the doctor said.  “If it is any comfort, the disease is unpreventable.  Cystic Fibrosis is inherited.” 

The news was fresh since Scotty was adopted.  Dorothy and Ernie had brought him home to Bowling Green, Ohio when he was barely six-weeks-old.  Then at the age of two, Scotty just stopped growing.  His parents took him to a succession of children’s medical centers.  Exhaustive examinations were followed by various diagnosis with prescribed diets.  Scotty continued to not grow.  Then at eight, the doctor said he would die. 

Dorothy and Ernie remained determined to fight for their son’s life when it was revealed at Boston’s Children’s Hospital that they had made a terrible mistake.  Scotty did not have Cystic Fibrosis after all.  Even so, his condition continued to deteriorate and special diets and feeding tubes were used.  While in his frail condition, he one day went to see his older sister ice skate.  That sight was so appealing that the frail boy begged to try skating himself.  Once he started, he never stopped. 

Over the years, physicians have determined that a brain tumor and digestive tract issues had explained little Scotty’s condition.   In 1984, as television viewers watched, Scott Hamilton sweep the Olympics and the World’s figure skating competitions with gold medals in both.  Scott was upwards of 5’ 4” tall.  Small in stature but big in heart.  As a cancer survivor, Scott Hamilton continues to inspire us all with his public work and foundational work with children.

With the testing season upon us, remember that all of our children grow at different rates and need special diets and supports in order for them to continue to move.  Like little Scotty, not all of our students will reach the same exact heights of every one of their peers but with a little inspiration and connection, they can still achieve greatness. 

Thanks for your continued work towards exceptional systems that support and inspire all of our students to grow academically, behaviorally, socially & emotionally as well as physically.  

Have an amazing weekend,

Rob

Superintendent