Friday, November 7, 2014

Take a Selflessie





The first Selflessie??


My latest blog post is an everyday hero shoutout to Jason Crompton, an amazing 8 year old from Liverpool, UK as highlighted in a recent article in the Liverpool Echo. He's one of the unsung heroes in the world who care more for others than themselves. In our disgusting world of the narcissistic selfie, these heroes serve an important purpose in the world, hopefully creating some level of balance to to the "look at me" and "what's in it for me" mentality that I see every day. I know many of these selfie-less heroes and am constantly reminded of others that exist in the world. Just read some of my older posts and you will see some great examples...Elliptical Man is a great example. I suggest you read it. 
Reading Jason's story made me wonder how a little kid with some serious problems of his own knows to put his issues aside for his dying brother. Then I realized, it's human nature. We're supposed to do this. It just seems like too many people forgot this along the way in their me-centric lives. Just take 5 minutes on Facebook or Twitter and you will see countless posts by people highlighting themselves, or their vacation or even their dinner (seriously people, stop posting pictures of your food. NO ONE CARES). So this got me to thinking and I came up with a wonderful idea that I hope all of my readers and future readers will embrace and maybe it will get some legs like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Here's the deal. Next time you do something good or selfless for someone else, or next time you witness a selfless act, take a picture and share it on social media as a Selflessie. Even if I see one Selflessie for every 50 stupid duck-faced selfies, I will feel like I have restored some balance to the universe. Please share this idea with everyone and let's see if we can make the Selflessie a thing of its own. Now read below and enjoy the full article about Jason as written in the Liverpool Echo.

ECHO Everyday Hero: When brotherly love knows no bounds

An eight-year-old boy is the ECHO’s latest Everyday Hero, after his proud mum revealed the “loving and incredible” care he gives to his terminally ill little brother.
Jason Crompton, 8, has himself suffered from from cerebral palsy and severe learning difficulties since birth and needs help with everyday things, like eating and changing.
But for this special little boy, his condition is no barrier to helping care for his seven-year-old brother Ryan.
Ryan has suffered from brain damage since birth, and “no one loves him more than Jason”, according to mum Victoria.
Victoria, 32, from Stockbridge Village, said: “Jason’s got his own problems and difficulties.
“But he just wants to help Ryan all the time. I don’t know how he does it, he’s absolutely amazing.”
Ryan is in and out of hospital, and always has his special carer by his side.
Victoria said: “He looks after him in hospital and holds his hand. Their love and bond is so special.”
Big-hearted Jason has to face constant worry over his beloved little brother, but somehow finds the time to make sure him mum is OK too.
Victoria said: “He’s always worrying about his brother due to his illness.
“But then he worries about me as well.
“I say to him ‘you don’t need to worry, we’re fine.’ But no matter how much I try he just can’t stop loving and caring for us both.
“He adores his brother and mummy, and we both adore and love him millions and more.”
Victoria, who is bringing up the two boys on her own, says that due to their complex but different neeeds, family life can often be tough.
She added: “It’s hard for Jason because he loves to do sports every day, but he just gets on with as much as he can at home.
“Even though he needs 24/7 care, he’s a lovely, happy-go-lucky little boy.”
Jason’s loving nature hasn’t gone unnoticed at his school, Bluebell Park in Kirkby.
Victoria said: “He’s always getting mentions in assemblies and special awards at school for helping other people.
“The school say he’s ‘out of this world’.
“Just the other day, I was going to change Ryan, and I said to Jason ‘do you just want to wait until I’m done?’
“Before I knew it, he had jumped up, got some wipes and started to undress Ryan. He was saying ‘I’m helping mummy change Ryan!’ He’s just incredible.”