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Their Voice: Student, mentor share triumph at graduation

Daily Herald - 6/26/2017

At the age of 8, Porter Aydelotte and his family received his diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For those who do not know much about muscular dystrophy, it is a condition marked by progressive weakening and wasting of the muscles. There are actually nine types of muscular dystrophy and Duchenne is one. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact.

As would most, Porter's family began to seek out ways to help. They sought out different drugs that were being tested, but because Porter had Duchenne, he didn't qualify. They tried steroids but quit after he went from 45 to 85 pounds. As the condition progressed, Porter went from playing baseball and soccer to walking very little, only being able to stand for short periods, using a motorized scooter and finally becoming dependent on others and using a wheelchair full time. When Porter was in fifth grade, the family moved to California where he would attend school.

At the beginning of sixth grade, Porter met Todd Kennely. Todd had been working for the school district coaching high school football, did some work in broadcasting and was a substitute teacher. Todd noticed that many of his teaching assignments were in special education because many substitute teacher would turn them down. He also took notice of the aides that would help in these classes and decided that it was something that he wanted to do. This is where Porter and Todd would meet.

"It was a little uncomfortable on the first day," Todd remembers. "Porter was shy and neither of us knew what we were supposed to do." However, it didn't take long for the two - who were over twenty years apart in age - to identify and build on their common interests. Within a couple of weeks of their meeting, Todd accompanied Porter to a science camp. They later went to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and overnight campouts together and eventually worked together to see that Porter graduated high school this month.

Porter graduating high school is not a story in itself. Thousands of young people graduate high school every year and many of them do so with a disability. What is noteworthy to me is the long-term commitment and friendship that grew out of Porter's need to receive help and Todd's desire to provide it.

Porter's mother credits Todd for his ability to push Porter to be his best. To help him out both physically, mentally and scholastically through times when Porter didn't want to work as hard. To be there when Porter needed him, but to also take a step back and allow Porter the opportunity to make friends and spend time with his peers.

For Todd, the credit all goes to Porter. "He is a remarkable man with a great attitude," he said. "In his position, many others would not have put so much care and hard work to achieve what he has. In fact, many would give up and ask why it even mattered."

For Porter, the next step in his life is to go to a college near his home. He is deciding whether to study film or business. Unfortunately, Todd will not be joining this new adventure, he will be staying with the district, ready to meet a new student who needs his help.

Being in the human services field and seeing the turnover of staff, can sometimes be overwhelming. I am reminded of a saying I heard once, "Not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever. Sometimes they are only there long enough to teach you the lessons that you needed to learn." Maybe, it is OK that there is turnover. Maybe each of the individuals who choose this field have something special to give and share and then make room for the next. I do suspect, though, that Todd and Porter will be sharing stories and memories for a long time to come. Congratulations to both of you. It doesn't matter to whom the credit for graduation goes.

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