Last Fall, I attended the end-of-season sports banquet.  My wife, Kari, usually joins me at district events but could not join me that evening.  Sitting in the high school auditorium, I settled in to witness my first sports banquet and celebrate our Oakwood students.  A few minutes later, an elementary student sat beside me.  I smiled politely, and he asked how I was settling into the community.  After answering his question, I returned to looking at the stage, waiting for the program to begin. After a few moments, he asked me if I had any pets.  We talked back and forth a few times, and I didn’t think much of our interaction.  I did wonder where his parents were.

After a fantastic banquet, I got home and checked my email to find an email from the parent of the elementary student.  Along with a picture of me conversing with her child, she explained that her son Rudy got up from his seat with his family to sit next to me.  He saw me walk in and sit alone and didn’t want me to sit by myself.  Her email explained that he understood how frightening it can be in a new place alone and didn’t want anyone to go through that.  Because of a series of unfortunate events in his personal life, he gained empathy that allowed him to be a light to others.

Rudy, a rising seventh-grade student, has spent a lot of time at Dayton Children's Hospital to repair his arm and back after his initial giant congenital melanocytic nevus removal when he was 6 months old. By the time Rudy was six years old, his mom, Molly, realized that the "fix" for the birthmark was causing a lot of mobility issues. She could tell this was going to be a significant problem, and it had to be fixed.  You can read the incredible story of Rudy’s perseverance and his family’s support and admiration for Dayton Children’s Hospital Staff at their website: https://www.childrensdayton.org/patient-stories/rudy-kash

This year, Dayton Children’s Hospital asked if Rudy would be one of the 2024-2025 Patient Ambassadors to the Hospital.   Despite not speaking to anyone at the hospital until last year, Rudy jumped at the opportunity and said yes! 

It’s funny because I only know Rudy as a polite, talkative student. So, when I shared my first interaction with him with our staff, they smiled because they knew the infectious smile and warmth he brought to people.

As a Patient Ambassador, his first duty will be to hand out Blizzards at the Dairy Queen on Shroyer Rd on Thursday, July 25, from 12:30 to 1:30.  While you enjoy a summer treat and meet Rudy, $1 of each blizzard will be donated to the Dayton Children’s Hospital.  

What I love most about our Oakwood community is how we can support and care for one another. I hope you get the opportunity to meet Rudy on Thursday or at another time. He’s a great reminder of the power of empathy and compassion.

#OneOakwood