Celebrating Acceptance and Commonalities with Madison's Books

Monday, August 3rd - the second scheduled event of Madison's diversity initiative proved to be an unforgettable experience to all who attended. Tara and Madison hosted Patrolman James Caulfield who represented the Marlboro Police Force. He read a book called "Mixed" that associated the mixing of colors to form a universal palette with the idea that as we meet and learn about each other, we grow to expand our universe accepting differences . This ten year veteran of the Marlboro police made some endearing ad libs and charmed his young audience.

Following Patrolman Caulfield was Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky, a life long Freehold resident with an amazing story. Dr Paul, as he likes to be called, is a motivational speaker dealing with Disability Acceptance, Bullying and Growth and Resiliency. His personal stories enhanced the lessons learned in the reading. He talked about facing his disabilities as well as bullying and forgiveness. I was impressed with all he has accomplished. He attained a PHD in Meteorology from Rutgers and has even jumped out of an airplane, twice.

One special moment to me defines this entire endeavor. Dr. Paul talked about his freshman year in high school when a bully picked him up and threw him in a garbage pail. He later explained how that same person apologized 24 years later. One young man raised his hand and asked "Why did he do that? The innocence in that question said it all. We all start out as children accepting diversity and each other's differences. Somewhere along the way it changes and the subsequent negative response carries over in so many destructive ways. Madison and Tara Lynn are trying to restore that sense of "ALL".