Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman could put me through an emotional ringer like no one else I have ever known. During the regular Friday night services at Temple Emanu-El, I knew I could count on Rabbi Zimmerman to insert my feelings into his personal emotional grinder and they would come out psychic sausage. During the typical 15 to 20 minute Rabbi Zimmerman sermon, he would compel me to travel from complacency, to anger, to fear, to joy, to euphoria and finally to hope. It was a willing passenger on an exhilarating ride and the driver was unquestionably the best teacher I ever had and a major influence on my life.
I have experienced that same emotional roller coaster ride a few times since Rabbi Zimmerman left Temple Emanu-El a quarter of a century ago, most memorably when former President Barack Obama delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of the victims of the June 17, 2015 mass shooting and hate crime at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, S.C.
I was reminded of Rabbi Zimmerman and his transformative sermons last week when Hays High School student Madalyn Raymond addressed, first the Hays CISD school board and, the following evening, the Kyle City Council. Ms. Raymond took me on another enlightening journey of emotional ups and downs, a journey that was important for me to take because it not only forced me to look at afflictions that are unjustly ignored, but even more important — at least to me — forced me to re-examine my own failings as a human being. And what was so special about her presentation was that she didn’t blame me or society as a whole for these failings. Just the opposite in fact — she basically apologized for causing us to react the way it’s in our DNA to react. And that’s what lifted her presentation to a stratospheric level.
When she spoke about how bad it made her feel to be forced to stand or sit a little differently than everybody else, she forced me to face the realization that, yes, we, as a society tend to isolate — not deliberately, not maliciously, not even consciously — those who, through no fault of their own, are "a little different." And she forced me to empathize with those we isolate, to look into the face of the unjust way we might treat our fellow human beings in the normal path of human behavior.
But Ms. Raymond wasn’t there to seek pity or try to alter natural human behavior. No, it turns out Ms. Raymond is a model of courage. Instead of wallowing in an infirmity, she is using it as a tool to help others in need.
What follows is the complete text of Ms. Raymond’s address. I implore you to take this journey with her. Take the trip through her record of scouting accomplishments, through the story of her afflictions and finally to her destination of hope and redemption. It doesn’t take long and I think it’s more than worth your while
Hi!
My name is Madalyn Raymond and I’m a Junior at Hays. I am the Editor-in-Chief of the news magazine, The Nation, and actively participate in UIL Journalism. I am a member of National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, and Quill and Scroll.
In addition, I have been in Girl Scouts for 11 years and have earned my Bronze and Silver awards, the third and second highest awards a Girl Scout can receive. Now, as a Girl Scout Ambassador, I am earning my Gold Award, the most prestigious achievement you can earn in Girl Scouting.
I emailed each of you earlier this week, but in case you haven't had a chance to read it due to Spring Break plans, my project addresses the issue of scoliosis. Scoliosis is a genetic spinal disorder that curves the spine in an unnatural "C" or "S" shape. About 3 percent of the population has been diagnosed with it, and it is most common in females.
My project, entitled "Get Ahead of the Curve," aims to raise awareness and community involvement in scoliosis. It is my main goal to change the current screening ages in our district, 6th and 9th grades, to 5th and 8th, as these ages better correlate with adolescent spinal development and allow more treatment options for those diagnosed with scoliosis. Although, due to restrictive legislation, we are currently unable to lawfully change the screening ages. I have contacted our local legislators and senators, but ask that if you have any connections with Jason Isaac, Lloyd Doggett, Ken Mercer, etc., you utilize that relationship to bring up this issue.
I am also starting a support group for students with scoliosis to give them an understanding environment that will allow them to share their experiences with scoliosis to others that can empathize. It is imperative that they feel they are not alone, as this disorder can feel very isolating — like the first time you walk down the middle school hallways with a baggy t-shirt trying to cover your brace as others stare; like the time you have to answer "What are those scars on your back? Why are you standing like that?"; or like when you have to sit in chairs with the parents and teachers at assemblies rather than on the floor with your friends because the concrete bothers you too much.
For me, scoliosis is personal. In third grade, I was diagnosed while at a physical for Girl Scout camp and two years later, was the first person in Central Texas to receive a Vertebral Body Stapling surgery that placed 11 staples in my spine to inhibit my curves from worsening. I wore three braces — pink, zebra print, and cheetah print ones — at night that I took to sleep overs, camp outs, and retreats and wore from my diagnosis to my freshman year.
I would like to ask four things of each of you: to reach out to your contacts and inform them of this project, send letters to our local legislators, and think of anyone you know with scoliosis that could benefit from the support group. I have a Facebook group called "Get Ahead of the Curve — Hays CISD" that is open for anyone, including you all and *turn around* everyone here tonight, to join that will keep members updated about meetings and my project as a whole. I printed out a small Slideshow for each of you and attached my business card to the front if you’d like to contact me. And finally, thank you for your invaluable contributions to our community as leaders. While your work goes unnoticed by some, it positively affects all and makes Kyle a better place. Thank you
As a postscript, Madalyn told me in an email I received today that "I am a 17-year-old Junior at Hays. After high school, I would like to attend the University of Texas and major in Pre-Med. It is my goal to become an OB/GYN and has been since I was about 8-years-old!"
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