From Deseret News archives:
Lessons on the River
Burn survivors come together on Green River
Sixteen other adolescent burn survivors sit in a circle with her under the full moon and give their full attention. There is no sign of pity, just understanding and curiosity.
On the edge of the circle are six river guides who have been rowing all day, taking the youngsters through rapids that could be disastrous if negotiated by someone less capable. There are quiet gasps and streams of tears as the guides struggle to contain their emotions.
Jorel tells about looking for something to do with his friend and finding cans of gas in an old building. "We tried to put out the fire but couldn't. I remember being paranoid and then being home and seeing my mother faint, then my grandmother fainted. The next thing I knew, I woke up a month later in the hospital with something stuck in my throat."
"I've got a question. How many of you remembered to stop, drop and roll?" he asks. About half raise their hand, and a discussion follows about what goes through your mind when you are engulfed in flames.
Two years ago, Andy was with his family in Yellowstone National Park when they found an elk lying on the ground. No one realized the animal was electrocuted by a downed power line until Andy touched the line. He survived but lost his right arm and part of his foot. This is Andy's second year on the river, and his wisdom reaches far beyond his 12 years of age.
"I just stare back at people who stare at me and say, 'Do you want to keep staring, or do you want to hear my story?' " he tells the others during a discussion about what to do when people stare.
'I can do anything'
The river has special meaning for Andy. Last year he read the diaries of one of his heroes, John Wesley Powell, whose right arm was blown off by a cannonball while raising it in retreat during the Civil War. Andy read Powell's account of captaining the boats during the first navigation of the Green and Colorado rivers.
Comments
- Ex-Ute returns to celebrate 9:23 p.m.
- TCU crushes Wyoming 9:21 p.m.
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals 9:18 p.m.
- Al-Qaida plan to cripple government 9:08 p.m.
- Iran to hold war games 9:07 p.m.
- Spacewalk completed, still no baby 9:04 p.m.
- Hackers stoke climate debate 9:03 p.m.
- Utes roll past Jaguars 9:02 p.m.
- U.S., Mexico to fight drug cartels 9:01 p.m.
- Mexico says drug witness died 9:00 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Murder-suicide in West Jordan
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Hall breaks BYU record with win
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
172 - Lies shatter Utah family
123 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
86
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
So what if BYU' football team is 3-25 against ranked opponents. So what...
I dont think TV could compete with all of the 5A teams (as shown when they...
Hall had nearly double the yard that Wynn had today and against a tougher...
No, no Anae, do not got to UNLV. UNLV is a boneyard for coaches, you'll never...
Many years ago wasn't Sonia Johnson disfellowshipped, or maybe even...
Max Hall is so awesome and righteous that he just might get "translated"...
From what I could see most of the U players were not really into the game....
All politicians are full of nonsense. All pundits are full of rhetoric for...
To: re: BYU/UTAH Fan in London | 8:47 p.m., If I am forced to choose, then...


You can be the first to comment on this story.