“Being Kind 101” may not be found on a list of course offerings, but many schools nonetheless offer lessons and host presentations about the importance of helping others and performing community service.
Such was the case recently at Shepard High School in Palos Heights, where Kerry Lynch and her daughter Mary Cate were featured in a “Choose Kind” event, according to a press release from Community High School District 218.
Mary Cate, 3, was born with Apert Syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition that affects the head, feet and hands, the release said. When Mary Cate was asked by her mom whether “no” had become her favorite word, she responded by yelling “ice cream,” which not only drew laughs but made the point to attendees that while Mary Cate may look different, she is a typical 3-year-old, the release said.
The Lynch family has worked to raise awareness of Apert Syndrome and the recent presentation was their 95th at area schools, the release said.
“We all have things that are different in our lives, right? We all have battles,” Kerry Lynch said in the release. “We have things going on at home or school, maybe we have medical battles. Mary Cate’s had a medical battle with many surgeries in her young life.”
While Kerry Lynch talked extensively about Mary Cate’s medical issues, she emphasized the normal upbringing that she has experienced, the release said.
“You saw some pictures from when she was born, and some other from after her surgeries. But mostly we saw pictures of her at the park, playing with her friends, having tea parties and doing things that any other kid does,” Lynch said in the release.
The event closed with everyone reciting the “Choose Kind” pledge together — “When given the choice between being right and being kind, I will choose kind” — according to the release.
Lynch borrowed the phrase from the book “Wonder,” the release said.
Daily Southtown staff report
