Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 18, 1993 TAG: 9312180032
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FORT WAYNE, IND. LENGTH: Medium
"Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and run and talk," Amy wrote in her entry for radio station WJLT-FM's Letters for Santa contest. "I just want one day where no one laughs at me or makes fun of me."
Amy was born with cerebral palsy, a nervous system disorder.
The third-grader has limited use of the fingers on her right hand and limps because of the brace she wears to support her right ankle. Her speech is also impaired.
She attended special education classes until this year. Most of her new classmates at South Wayne Elementary School are nice, she says, but some mock her. It's especially bad during gym and recess.
Amy's parents had been working with her teacher to minimize the teasing they feared she might face at school.
They didn't know how unhappy Amy was until she read them the letter asking for Santa's help - and not for the 3-foot doll she'd been wanting.
"It really shocked us," said her mother, Patti Hagadorn.
The radio station planned to have the children who wrote the most amusing letters read them on the air, but Amy's was too moving to disregard.
"As soon as we saw that, we decided to do something with it," said Lee Tobin, the station's program manager.
Amy will be a guest on WJLT's morning show Tuesday, which Mayor Paul Helmke has proclaimed Amy Hagadorn Day. Amy's teacher and principal are expected to drop by. So is Santa.
by CNB