Mother Reminds People, Especially Students, To Stay Kind Through a Heartwarming Back-to-School Post

Stephanie Cook Lucy Cook cerebral palsy Highley High School

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Sep 07, 07:46 pm

Stephanie Cook, the mother who made the heartwarming post, told Good Morning America that her daughter was the main reason behind her message. She only wants to inform people about her daughter's condition and remind them always to be kind.

Cook was surprised when many paid attention to her but wasn't surprised at how good people were. Some parents commented on the post and said they read it to their children the night before school started.

Stephanie's daughter, Lucy Cook, 15, was feeling nervous all summer thinking about her first day of high school. She has cerebral palsy and was worried about what others might think or say about her disability.

In the post, Stephanie revealed that her 15-year-old daughter is scared as she thinks kids will make fun of her due to her disability and will make fun of her smaller right hand that doesn't open all the way, how she walks, or that she can't do all things that other kids usually can. She also wondered if she would have friends, thinking that no one would like her due to her cerebral palsy, schooling would be very hard, and she wouldn't know where to go if things were already hard to bear.

Lucy was also worried that if she had a seizure, other teachers, especially new ones, won't know what to do. She thinks she will be lonely whenever she goes to school as no one would be interested in talking to her.

The 15-year-old's worried she would miss her mom while she's gone

The mother explains that her daughter's fears may be unique in some ways but are similar to the fears and worries many kids and teens have. The Arizona mom reminded parents to consider at least teaching their kids about other kids like Lucy. She shared that her experience has always been like that; when people understand, they always step up.

She encouraged parents to teach children that other people are having a hard time due to their situation and so teach them to be at least kind as words can surely wound hearts. Teach kids that they have incredible power to build those people up and be courageous enough to reach out to those who seem lonely.

In the Facebook post, she told everyone that children should be more open to trying to understand other's situations and people's different perspectives and backgrounds. They don't need to change themselves so that others would like them, but rather appreciate what they offer.

She concluded in the post that parenting is indeed challenging, and she knows she's failing and trying again on repeat, but kindness and love make things a lot easier.

The mother describes her daughter as a "walking, talking miracle"

Lucy was born at 23 weeks and four days. She also suffered a brain hemorrhage when she was a baby; thus, her mother called her a "walking talking miracle" as she treats her as a miracle baby.

The 15-year-old is set to start her new journey at Highley High School, going from a small class size to more than 2,000 students. She formerly spent approximately six years at a private school.

According to Dailymail, the support everyone has given the young girl boosted her confidence and helped turn her stress into excitement.