Her name is Amber, she lives in California, she is 13, new in her school just moving there from Texas, and was diagnosed with diabetes at age 9. She loves music and she is Diabetesdad’s Sunday dHero…….you may find her to be a hero also.
Her mom states how Amber excels in so many different areas, loves music, and even won competitions dealing with music that she wrote and sang. But it is the music she followed from her heart that makes her a hero…….BIG TIME.
Last month a young man was trying to retrieve his instrument from the music room. This young man has a bit of cognitive issues. As he went back to the classroom the door was held shut by two young boys on the other side. On top of that, the taunting started, so did the jokes, and you can imagine how this was playing out.
Now remember that Amber is new to the school and at age 13 the most important thing in a young teenagers life is probably the need to fit in. Not so with this dHero. She follows a different melody in her heart…..she listens to the tune of fairness.
While the bullying was going on, Amber walked right up to the closed-door and the two boys released it allowing her entrance. Once inside she not only held the door for the young man being bullied she had something to say.
“Y’all need to let him get his cello. He is trying to learn and get a good grade like most of us – unlike you two. Y’all also need to stop being so mean to others.”
Isn’t it hard enough to be a teen-ager and to deal with diabetes? Isn’t well enough just getting by for Amber’s life? Isn’t it ‘just enough’ to have her get through every day being different and feeling different? She is not different at all by diabetes (nor should she be); she is different from many by her beautiful heart. The lesson is a clear one and taught best by Amber herself. “The only thing I hate more than diabetes is bullying. I can live with diabetes, I can’t live with people who bully. Plus one day there will be a cure for diabetes but not for ‘stupid’ “
“……but not for stupid.” I just love that!
Unknown to Amber, a teacher saw the entire incident unfold and she was awarded “Student of the Month.” Not bad for being in a new school….is it? Her mom tells me that “Amber is not shy when it comes to standing up for the right of everyone to be treated with respect.”
The world needs more people like Amber. Amber you take one huge bow. We are proud of you and you are surely Diabetesdad’s Sunday dHero.
I hope the whole world leaves a comment for you to read on this blog–because you deserve it. We are all so proud of you and today; you have become the teacher and the rest of us, the students. Thank you.
I am a Diabetesdad
