Come Take a Walk in My Shoes

When 11-year-old Emerson Broders leaves her house for school or a fun day with friends, she needs to prepare first.

As always, a small pump is connected to her. And she needs to carry a bag of Skittles candy or a prepackaged Juicy Juice. She has Type 1 diabetes, so if her blood sugar level falters, she needs to quickly fix the problem with sugar.  

Many children might think she is lucky to be able to carry sweet treats every day. But Dana would tell you otherwise. If her sugar level is low, she often has a headache and stomachache to help alert her to the problem. Sometimes she really doesn't feel like eating or drinking something sweet, but she has adjusted to what she needs to do to take care of herself. The best part is she can do pretty much everything other kids do, as long as she is prepared.

Gracie Doran, 12, suffered a brain seizure about a year and a half ago. When she woke up from the surgery that saved her life, she was partially paralyzed and unable to communicate. Her doctors warned her parents that she would likely never walk again. Gracie didn't give up—she was determined to walk again. Although she had to re-learn how to walk, talk and even write, she surprised the doctors with her inner strength. Not only has Gracie returned to school but she also has appeared on television and is a writer for the Laguna Niguel Patch.

These girls, in addition to many parent volunteers, shared stories of hope and awareness during a full day of presentations at Canyon Vista Elementary School on March 28. All students visited various stations and participated in activities designed to increase their understanding. They tried to bounce balls with one arm, made noises while their teachers attempted to answer simple questions on a test, watched a stuffed bear breathe with an inhaler and walked with crutches or wore goggles so they could "feel" what it is like to have abilities that could be different than others.

Coordinated by Canyon Vista Parent and PTA Liaison Trish Sant, the educational value to students was tremendous.  The "Come Walk in My Shoes" event aims to give each student the opportunity to experience life from another's perspective.