I have a friend who lives in Ridley Park. She is one of my wife’s oldest and dearest friends. She also has a nose for news.
A month ago she sent me an e-mail on a Friday morning wondering why there was nothing in that day’s newspaper about a serious accident that involved some kids from Ridley High School. It apparently was the talk of the town.
We actually had heard of the accident, but did not realize how serious it was. It was very serious. We had all the details in the next day’s paper.
That was the first time I heard about Steven Jewell. For him the accident would prove more than serious. It would prove life-altering.
But it would not keep him from a very important date Tuesday night.
Back in May, Jewell was a passenger in a car that was slammed into by another vehicle. The driver of that car was found to be more than 11 times over the legal drinking limit. He now faces a slew of charges.
Meanwhile, Steven Jewell likely faces life in a wheelchair. Jewell was paralyzed in the accident.
Jewell was unable to walk, but he was not about to miss walking with his classmates Tuesday night as they graduated from Ridley High School.
His two best friends, Andrew Pidgeon and Troy Foster, pushed Jewell’s wheelchair up to the podium to join the other 536 members of the Class of 2009.
Then he will head back to Magee Rehabilitation to continue his therapy.
If the graduating class at Ridley High was looking for an inspiration as they head off into the world, they didn’t have to look far.
Actually, all they have to do is pick up the print edition of today’s Daily Times. Steven Jewell is on the cover, getting a congratulatory kiss from his mom.
Well done, Steven.
A month ago she sent me an e-mail on a Friday morning wondering why there was nothing in that day’s newspaper about a serious accident that involved some kids from Ridley High School. It apparently was the talk of the town.
We actually had heard of the accident, but did not realize how serious it was. It was very serious. We had all the details in the next day’s paper.
That was the first time I heard about Steven Jewell. For him the accident would prove more than serious. It would prove life-altering.
But it would not keep him from a very important date Tuesday night.
Back in May, Jewell was a passenger in a car that was slammed into by another vehicle. The driver of that car was found to be more than 11 times over the legal drinking limit. He now faces a slew of charges.
Meanwhile, Steven Jewell likely faces life in a wheelchair. Jewell was paralyzed in the accident.
Jewell was unable to walk, but he was not about to miss walking with his classmates Tuesday night as they graduated from Ridley High School.
His two best friends, Andrew Pidgeon and Troy Foster, pushed Jewell’s wheelchair up to the podium to join the other 536 members of the Class of 2009.
Then he will head back to Magee Rehabilitation to continue his therapy.
If the graduating class at Ridley High was looking for an inspiration as they head off into the world, they didn’t have to look far.
Actually, all they have to do is pick up the print edition of today’s Daily Times. Steven Jewell is on the cover, getting a congratulatory kiss from his mom.
Well done, Steven.
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