LETTER: Unconditional love, a place to give

Joan Baird, the director of Student Services for Madison County Schools, spoke of Tyler from the perspective of his interaction and gift that he had been for her daughter Hannah. Hannah was born with Downs Syndrome and has been a participant at ESP for most of her life. Joan spoke of the difficulties that parents of children with disabilities have in gaining social acceptance and interaction for their special children. This made me reflect on a discussion I had some years ago with my former assistant, whom also had a daughter with Downs Syndrome. I recall her sharing an article with me, which spoke of the only way to gain social interaction for persons with disabilities, was through paying someone to be with them. Sure this population is accepted in their schools, but it is rare that you see them hanging out on Friday nights with a peer group. Tyler Bleecker was a rare young man. He worked many years at ESP for free, but unfortunately, the aforementioned article, and the observation of these two mothers is accurate.

ESP is a vital part of the lives of participants that take part. They serve many needs, and while we have come a long way with social acceptance and interaction, we still have a ways to go. I am calling on everyone in Clarke, Madison, Oconee, Jackson, Barrow and Walton counties to do something in support of this organization. Don’t assume someone else will do it. If you are a past contributor, but have gotten away from contributing, I ask you to get involved once again. If you are in a civic service club, church group, school club or college sorority/fraternity accept my challenge to help out. If you are in the corporate or business world, what can you do? This challenge is not for the here and now, but I would ask that this be an annual initiative to serve your fellow man. Whether it is one lady’s two copper coins or another $2 million, the money will be put to good use. The organization has a wonderful director and a governing board that is well versed and proven to be excellent financial stewards.

Tyler Bleecker did not have much to give, but he gave his time, talent and unconditional love. While you may not be able to match him in this area, you may be able to help with the finances. Please understand that I write this having no affiliation with ESP whatsoever, but after witnessing last Sunday night, it is sad that each year they are at the brink of closing their doors because of financial struggles. ESP is an organization that has inspired many of the young volunteers to pursue careers as teachers. This organization has also served as fertile round for the development of our special needs classroom teachers. Many times death leaves us with a void and when it is someone as young as Tyler Bleecker, we tend to ask why. I left Sunday night not asking why, but rather what? What can I do as a result of this tragedy to help make this world a better place?

To learn more about ESP you may go to their facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watkinsville-GA/Extra-Special-People- Inc/108293109196025?v=wall. Their address is Extra Special People, Inc 189 VFW Drive, Watkinsville Ga. 30677 and the phone number is 706-769-9333. The director is Laura Whitaker.

Sincerely,

John Osborne

Athens