31 for 21: A Sibling Speaks Out
Following is a speech our oldest son Kevin gave to his student body and their families about a year and a half ago. Many of you have already seen it, but it’s worth hearing his message again.
Kevin remains a steadfast advocate even now. He’s taken on this role all on his own. We’ve never pressured him to vocally take a stand; we’ve only tried to instill in all of our kids compassion, tolerance, and kindness to people from all walks of life.
Kevin started high school this year – a new school, a vastly larger campus and student body than what he had come from in middle school – automatically putting him on precarious social ground. And yet, he still speaks out. During the first couple weeks of school a guy at school called something “retarded,” and Kevin calmly told him why it’s unkind and unacceptable. The other kid was actually very receptive.
Being a teenager is already so fraught with difficulties, trying to fit in, trying to figure out just where your place in the world might be. To take on such a potentially unpopular cause as this takes a lot of character. I have so much admiration for him.
Amazing! You must be so proud of your son, I can’t imagine something that would make a mother more proud than hearing your boy blossom into a man. A caring, kind, compassionate man who stands up for what he believes in. Kudos to you and your husband for raising such a wonderful person!