O Brave New World...

,,,that has such people in it.”  If Miranda, Prospero’s daughter in “The Tempest”, were here today she might repeat her famous exclamation for one Nathan Sturtzel. He is the principal of St Patrick Catholic School in Louisville, KY, whose student Mary Jo Hadley is an epileptic, prone to seizures. Her service dog, Ariel, the name translates to Lion of God, watches over her. She warns teachers Hadley is having an episode, and sacrifices herself as a body cushion during one of Hadley’s seizures.

Principal Sturtzel included Ariel’s photo in the school’s yearbook. Here’s the principal’s own words, as quoted in CNN/Fox News:

“It’s important to foster relations with our families and support our students. We love Ariel. She is part of Hadley Jo’s family, so she’s part of our family too. Finding a place for her in our yearbook was an easy decision and it was fun.”

Hadley’s mother, active in Hope for Hadley, a foundation teamed with Kentuckiana Epilepsy, helps bring service dogs to families who cannot afford them. She credits the Labradoodle with saving her daughter’s life, and why she works so hard for others. She was overwhelmed emotionally by his decision.

Sturtzel’s statement of inclusion resonates for the vulnerable, and the canines who are their lifelines. His steely message to all about love and acceptance demonstrates how student, family, community, school can work together, bettering the lives of all. TGBL awards two honey dollops to a special educator, and can only say

Oh, brave new world, to have such leaders in it.