David Pearce

I confess that I haven't seen much of the Olympics this year (barring the men's skating finals and the USA vs. Canada hockey game).  For those who have known me a long time, you know how serious a departure this is from my norm.  Anyway... I was chowing some dinner after a workout last night in the lounge area of the locker room at the gym and happened to catch a great piece about snowboarder, Kevin Pearce (who has beaten Shaun White twice).  Just six weeks ago, Kevin suffered a tramatic head injury while training.  He is in a rehab hospital attempting to regain the ability to walk and talk and see.

The piece featured interviews conducted with him and his family in Vermont back in September and a few days ago.  Kevin is the youngest of four boys.  Their third son, David, has Down syndrome.  Tom Brokaw made the following statement: "We often, I think, from the outside looking in, think that the parents have to do all the work for THAT child, but that child gives back so much more.”  Kevin's mom made a few remarks about how life with David prepared her for the patience required with Kevin's recovery.  She apparently sort of lightheartedly mentioned that it took David three years to learn to buckle his seatbelt.  [side note: I hope that I'm able to have a lighthearted view of how long it takes Micah to learn things. It's a good reminder that in the grand scheme, it just doesn't matter.]

They also talked about how Kevin would certainly receive better care at that hospital now that David has been to visit him (they brought David to visit just last week).  Their mom said, "David went to every therapist and every doctor and told them, 'Take VERY good care of my brother... I love him VERY much."

Please watch the video by clicking here.  But make sure you have a box of tissues handy.