Rudy Favard – Big Muscles and an Even Bigger Heart
By inspiredKiD
For Rudy Favard, football is a big part of everyday life. But an even bigger part comes at 8:00 each evening, when Rudy goes to visit his friend Sam Parker. Sam is not a fellow student or a football teammate. Sam is an 8-year-old boy with severe cerebral palsy. Rudy visits him each day to help Sam’s parents perform an important task, carrying Sam up the stairs to his bedroom.
Due to his cerebral palsy, Sam cannot see, speak, or control his arms and legs. So the Parkers must carry him up the stairs each evening. Mr. Parker had done the carrying until recently, when surgery prevented him from lifting Sam anymore. Rudy was asked to come and help the Parkers with this daily task, and he quickly agreed, saying “I wanted to help. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
But a big deal it is! Rudy gives the Parkers gifts of time, strength, and support, 14 stairs at a time. And to Rudy’s surprise, his visits to the Parker home are a gift to him too. His visits give him perspective and gratitude for the blessings he has and can share with others. Here is an article about Rudy and the Parkers.
Additional Resources:
Topics for Discussion:
- Rudy was glad to help the Parkers because he thought that it wasn’t a big deal. Is there something that’s not a big deal to you but that might help make someone’s life better?
- Rudy has found that helping the Parkers has had a great positive impact on him. Have you ever helped someone and felt that same kind of impact?
Take Action:
- Do a small kindness today for a family member and see how just a little effort can brighten someone’s day!
- Check out the Kids 4 Change website to learn things you can do to help the world around you!
Teacher Features:
- Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for elementary school students.
- Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for middle school students.
