Question:
I saw on the Today Show right after it happened……….st first Matt Lauer who I know from Prov RI, TV 10, made NO mention of TS……..but as soon as I saw Justin I knew he had TS so I watched it…………He got the ame adrenlyn rush I did as a cop then firefighter………. "Jo Cohen" <joco…@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:9IGdnbGBV4KoburdRVn-gw@comcast.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Nice article….humble kid! > -Jo > Ripples from a fateful leap > Requests for interviews. Accolades. Justin Gregorich, a teenager with > Tourette’s syndrome, is adjusting to life after he helped save a man > from drowning. He has even made special new friends. > By NORA KOCH, Times Staff Writer > Published April 10, 2004 > ———————————————————————- > ———- > CLEARWATER, Jan. 28 – Justin Gregorich left football practice early, > figured he’d just walk home that day. Some of the other guys were > giving him a hard time in the weight room. It was nothing new for the > 130-pounder who has Tourette’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive > disorder, but he’d just had enough. > As he trudged home from Countryside High School along State Road 580, > the 14-year-old freshman watched a gold Lincoln Town Car careen off > the road, flatten a 5-foot chain-link fence and rocket into a > retention pond. > Justin took off his sneakers and plunged headfirst into the 62-degree > water to save 82-year-old Raymond J. Kane of Orlando. Along with > Michael McBrayer and Shawn Brady, two mangrove landscapers from > Dunedin, he brought Kane safely to shore. > Within hours, his teenage life, centered on church, family and paint > ball, turned into a circus. The national media got wind of his story; > interview requests poured in from all the major networks, more than a > dozen news talk shows, and magazines, radio stations, newspapers. He > quickly grew tired of the media appearances and turned down all but a > few. > A hundred letters flooded the Gregoriches’ mailbox, thanking Justin, > telling him to ignore the bullies, that he was an inspiration. > Strangers sent checks, CDs, T-shirts, newspaper clippings, a football > signed by a hometown team. They called Justin a hero. > He didn’t think he was a hero. He figured he just did what anyone else > would have done. > * * * > SAFETY HARBOR, 10 weeks later – Justin never went back to football. It > just wasn’t for him, Justin says. Now he’s playing rec soccer. > School is better. "The kids that used to tease me, they come up and > are like, "What’s up?’ "How ya doin’, dude?’ " Justin says assuredly. > He knows he’s a little different from the other kids. He’s always > known that. > But the story that got out in January was about the amazing feat by > the kid with Tourette’s and OCD. At first his mom begged this > newspaper not to print that Justin had those diagnoses. She was afraid > it might make it worse. > Most of those phone calls and letters lauded him for heroism. The > family responded to every one. Of all the accolades and praise, a few > stood out, particularly those from the local, state and national > associations for Tourette’s syndrome. Until then, the Gregorich family > hadn’t even known those resources were out there. > In February, Justin attended a local Tourette’s syndrome support group > meeting. Last month he played in a golf tournament benefit for > Tourette’s syndrome. He spent a day at a special camp, where all the > other kids had Tourette’s syndrome. Justin learned something: > "That other people have the same as me and I’m not the only one who > has it." > And that’s helped him immensely, says his mother, Alice. He has new > friends. There, she doesn’t have to worry about the other kids, what > they are saying, if they’re picking on her son. > In two weeks, the Gregoriches will fly to Washington, D.C., for a > national conference held by the Tourette Syndrome Association. Justin > and his family will be guests of the association, which will recognize > the teen for his heroic deed. > At home, the Gregoriches’ dining room table is covered with the > makings of a few scrapbook volumes, which Alice plans to put together. > Justin already has plowed through a year’s supply of Checkers’ combo > meals; he gave most of them to his friends and family. > In August, he will throw out the first pitch at a Devil Rays game. His > older brother finally realized that, maybe, the little brother had > done something cool. So Justin tried to offer to let his brother throw > the ball. > That’s Justin. > Justin turned 15 on Sunday. On Monday, Alice took him to get his > learner’s permit. They were nervous that he might not pass the > 40-question test, even though he’d been studying almost every night. > Sometimes Justin has a hard time with tests. But no worries, he passed > and drove his mom home. > "I’m glad it’s back to the normal life," Justin said on a Wednesday > afternoon, patiently sitting for an interview when he really wanted to > be playing basketball at the park. > But maybe after that day in January, "normal" will always mean > something different for Justin. > [Last modified April 9, 2004, 11:17:47]
Response:
Nice article….humble kid! -Jo Ripples from a fateful leap Requests for interviews. Accolades. Justin Gregorich, a teenager with Tourette’s syndrome, is adjusting to life after he helped save a man from drowning. He has even made special new friends. By NORA KOCH, Times Staff Writer Published April 10, 2004 ———————————————————————- ———- CLEARWATER, Jan. 28 – Justin Gregorich left football practice early, figured he’d just walk home that day. Some of the other guys were giving him a hard time in the weight room. It was nothing new for the 130-pounder who has Tourette’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but he’d just had enough. As he trudged home from Countryside High School along State Road 580, the 14-year-old freshman watched a gold Lincoln Town Car careen off the road, flatten a 5-foot chain-link fence and rocket into a retention pond. Justin took off his sneakers and plunged headfirst into the 62-degree water to save 82-year-old Raymond J. Kane of Orlando. Along with Michael McBrayer and Shawn Brady, two mangrove landscapers from Dunedin, he brought Kane safely to shore. Within hours, his teenage life, centered on church, family and paint ball, turned into a circus. The national media got wind of his story; interview requests poured in from all the major networks, more than a dozen news talk shows, and magazines, radio stations, newspapers. He quickly grew tired of the media appearances and turned down all but a few. A hundred letters flooded the Gregoriches’ mailbox, thanking Justin, telling him to ignore the bullies, that he was an inspiration. Strangers sent checks, CDs, T-shirts, newspaper clippings, a football signed by a hometown team. They called Justin a hero. He didn’t think he was a hero. He figured he just did what anyone else would have done. * * * SAFETY HARBOR, 10 weeks later – Justin never went back to football. It just wasn’t for him, Justin says. Now he’s playing rec soccer. School is better. "The kids that used to tease me, they come up and are like, "What’s up?’ "How ya doin’, dude?’ " Justin says assuredly. He knows he’s a little different from the other kids. He’s always known that. But the story that got out in January was about the amazing feat by the kid with Tourette’s and OCD. At first his mom begged this newspaper not to print that Justin had those diagnoses. She was afraid it might make it worse. Most of those phone calls and letters lauded him for heroism. The family responded to every one. Of all the accolades and praise, a few stood out, particularly those from the local, state and national associations for Tourette’s syndrome. Until then, the Gregorich family hadn’t even known those resources were out there. In February, Justin attended a local Tourette’s syndrome support group meeting. Last month he played in a golf tournament benefit for Tourette’s syndrome. He spent a day at a special camp, where all the other kids had Tourette’s syndrome. Justin learned something: "That other people have the same as me and I’m not the only one who has it." And that’s helped him immensely, says his mother, Alice. He has new friends. There, she doesn’t have to worry about the other kids, what they are saying, if they’re picking on her son. In two weeks, the Gregoriches will fly to Washington, D.C., for a national conference held by the Tourette Syndrome Association. Justin and his family will be guests of the association, which will recognize the teen for his heroic deed. At home, the Gregoriches’ dining room table is covered with the makings of a few scrapbook volumes, which Alice plans to put together. Justin already has plowed through a year’s supply of Checkers’ combo meals; he gave most of them to his friends and family. In August, he will throw out the first pitch at a Devil Rays game. His older brother finally realized that, maybe, the little brother had done something cool. So Justin tried to offer to let his brother throw the ball. That’s Justin. Justin turned 15 on Sunday. On Monday, Alice took him to get his learner’s permit. They were nervous that he might not pass the 40-question test, even though he’d been studying almost every night. Sometimes Justin has a hard time with tests. But no worries, he passed and drove his mom home. "I’m glad it’s back to the normal life," Justin said on a Wednesday afternoon, patiently sitting for an interview when he really wanted to be playing basketball at the park. But maybe after that day in January, "normal" will always mean something different for Justin. [Last modified April 9, 2004, 11:17:47]
Response:
Nice follow-up article. I saw the original story (here?) not sure, maybe on the news, when it happened. It was a little bit different though. IIRC, they said he was the first into the pond when the car went in and the only one smart enough to take off his shoes and outerwear. The other 2 men jumped in, then couldn’t make it to the car because their clothing was dragging them down. It is also nice that they had a follow-up on what has happened since. thanks, jodi "Jo Cohen" <joco…@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:9IGdnbGBV4KoburdRVn-gw@comcast.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Nice article….humble kid! > -Jo > Ripples from a fateful leap > Requests for interviews. Accolades. Justin Gregorich, a teenager with > Tourette’s syndrome, is adjusting to life after he helped save a man > from drowning. He has even made special new friends. > By NORA KOCH, Times Staff Writer > Published April 10, 2004 > ———————————————————————- > ———- > CLEARWATER, Jan. 28 – Justin Gregorich left football practice early, > figured he’d just walk home that day. Some of the other guys were > giving him a hard time in the weight room. It was nothing new for the > 130-pounder who has Tourette’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive > disorder, but he’d just had enough. > As he trudged home from Countryside High School along State Road 580, > the 14-year-old freshman watched a gold Lincoln Town Car careen off > the road, flatten a 5-foot chain-link fence and rocket into a > retention pond. > Justin took off his sneakers and plunged headfirst into the 62-degree > water to save 82-year-old Raymond J. Kane of Orlando. Along with > Michael McBrayer and Shawn Brady, two mangrove landscapers from > Dunedin, he brought Kane safely to shore. > Within hours, his teenage life, centered on church, family and paint > ball, turned into a circus. The national media got wind of his story; > interview requests poured in from all the major networks, more than a > dozen news talk shows, and magazines, radio stations, newspapers. He > quickly grew tired of the media appearances and turned down all but a > few. > A hundred letters flooded the Gregoriches’ mailbox, thanking Justin, > telling him to ignore the bullies, that he was an inspiration. > Strangers sent checks, CDs, T-shirts, newspaper clippings, a football > signed by a hometown team. They called Justin a hero. > He didn’t think he was a hero. He figured he just did what anyone else > would have done. > * * * > SAFETY HARBOR, 10 weeks later – Justin never went back to football. It > just wasn’t for him, Justin says. Now he’s playing rec soccer. > School is better. "The kids that used to tease me, they come up and > are like, "What’s up?’ "How ya doin’, dude?’ " Justin says assuredly. > He knows he’s a little different from the other kids. He’s always > known that. > But the story that got out in January was about the amazing feat by > the kid with Tourette’s and OCD. At first his mom begged this > newspaper not to print that Justin had those diagnoses. She was afraid > it might make it worse. > Most of those phone calls and letters lauded him for heroism. The > family responded to every one. Of all the accolades and praise, a few > stood out, particularly those from the local, state and national > associations for Tourette’s syndrome. Until then, the Gregorich family > hadn’t even known those resources were out there. > In February, Justin attended a local Tourette’s syndrome support group > meeting. Last month he played in a golf tournament benefit for > Tourette’s syndrome. He spent a day at a special camp, where all the > other kids had Tourette’s syndrome. Justin learned something: > "That other people have the same as me and I’m not the only one who > has it." > And that’s helped him immensely, says his mother, Alice. He has new > friends. There, she doesn’t have to worry about the other kids, what > they are saying, if they’re picking on her son. > In two weeks, the Gregoriches will fly to Washington, D.C., for a > national conference held by the Tourette Syndrome Association. Justin > and his family will be guests of the association, which will recognize > the teen for his heroic deed. > At home, the Gregoriches’ dining room table is covered with the > makings of a few scrapbook volumes, which Alice plans to put together. > Justin already has plowed through a year’s supply of Checkers’ combo > meals; he gave most of them to his friends and family. > In August, he will throw out the first pitch at a Devil Rays game. His > older brother finally realized that, maybe, the little brother had > done something cool. So Justin tried to offer to let his brother throw > the ball. > That’s Justin. > Justin turned 15 on Sunday. On Monday, Alice took him to get his > learner’s permit. They were nervous that he might not pass the > 40-question test, even though he’d been studying almost every night. > Sometimes Justin has a hard time with tests. But no worries, he passed > and drove his mom home. > "I’m glad it’s back to the normal life," Justin said on a Wednesday > afternoon, patiently sitting for an interview when he really wanted to > be playing basketball at the park. > But maybe after that day in January, "normal" will always mean > something different for Justin. > [Last modified April 9, 2004, 11:17:47]