Teaching Sympathy: How Six Siblings Honored Their Late Friend
The best way to create a kinder, more compassionate world is by teaching our children the value of empathy. When we care for one another, everything else seems to fall into place.
This lesson was exemplified by six siblings from New York—two twins, triplets, and a 10-year-old—who turned their grief into a powerful act of kindness. After losing a close friend to cancer, the children were deeply affected. During his battle, their friend underwent chemotherapy, which caused him to lose his hair. Seeing his struggle left a lasting impact on the siblings.
When their friend passed away, they decided to honor his memory in a unique and meaningful way: by growing out their hair to donate to children fighting cancer, just like their late friend.
The siblings kept their plan a secret. Not even their mother knew why they insisted on skipping haircuts.
As their hair grew longer, however, they faced ridicule from classmates. The teasing became relentless, with peers calling them names and saying they looked like girls. But the siblings stayed strong. They didn’t let the hurtful comments deter them because they knew their mission was more important than what others thought.
After months of enduring mockery, the day finally arrived for their donation. Together, they cut and donated an astonishing 17 feet of hair to benefit those battling cancer.
Their story is a touching reminder of how small acts of love can leave a big impact. It’s inspiring to see such young children demonstrate such selflessness and care for others.
Watch their full story in the video below, and don’t forget to SHARE it with your friends and family to spread their inspiring message!
This precious little girl made her entrance into the world adorned with “polka dots”: Check out how stunning she is at the age of 8!
Rebecca Callaghan faced a challenging pregnancy in 2012 when doctors decided to induce labor early due to excess fluid around her baby.
It wasn’t until about an hour after Matilda was born that any issues were suspected. Initially, a large blue mark on her face and extending down her body was mistaken for a bruise. However, just 30 minutes later, doctors informed Rebecca and her husband that it was, in fact, a birthmark.
Two weeks postpartum, Matilda was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological condition associated with skin abnormalities that can lead to paralysis, learning difficulties, and seizures.
Matilda’s health quickly deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, England. The parents’ joy transformed into deep anxiety, as they feared they might lose their newborn. “We couldn’t travel with her because she was so sick. Watching her taken away, we were terrified we’d never see her again”, her father shared with the Daily Mail.
Adding to their worries, they discovered Matilda had two heart defects. Despite the grim prognosis, she displayed remarkable resilience, successfully undergoing surgery. She also began laser treatments to address her unusual birthmark, a process that could take up to 16 hours to fully fade.
“She receives treatments every two months. The laser leaves her skin red and covered in blisters, which eventually heal”, her father, Paul, explained in a 2016 interview. He recounted the misconceptions from others, stating: “People assume we’ve somehow harmed her”.
Although these treatments are painful, Matilda is a cheerful child. Sadly, many stare at her or make hurtful remarks, even asking if her parents had caused her birthmark by allowing her to burn herself. “They only see the surface and make judgments. I wish they could see beyond the mole to the beautiful person she is”, Paul lamented.
In addition to her birthmark, Matilda faces vision challenges and struggles to walk. Yet, with the help of specialized equipment, she has taken steps on her own.
Despite her struggles, Matilda remains upbeat and resilient. “She’s incredibly stubborn; she’ll do things her way or not at all!” her father noted, emphasizing that she always greets others with a smile. The family regularly confronts stares, insults, and teasing, but they remain proud of Matilda. “Despite everything, she’s thriving”, her father said.
Now nine years old, Matilda’s family recently shared an updated photo of her in her wheelchair in June 2019. They have set up a fundraising page to raise £5,000 for a new wheelchair, enabling Matilda to enjoy her favorite activity: spending time outdoors, away from crowds. “We want to help her continue doing what she loves”, the page states.
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