More than just a shave

         Jackson Johnston, 11 years old, is more than able to comprehend the potential of loss. A look of total understanding crosses his eyes as he and his mother Amber discuss his grandfather, Rick Wilkerson. Affectionately known as “Papa Rick,” the man has gone to as many of Jackson’s sporting events as possible, despite living an hour away in Mediapolis. Even his grandson’s classmates have come to know Papa Rick for his supportive demeanor and frequent presence.

            When Jackson learned that his biggest fan was diagnosed with lymphoma, a rare strain of cancer, his world suddenly took a turn for the worse. The cheerful smiling face of Papa Rick was replaced with one of worry and sorrow. As the holiday season was just starting, his grandfather began losing his hair and the spirit that burned brightly during his grandson’s games.

            “He was down in the dumps,” Amber said, referring to her father. “When we visited him at the University, we had to be cautious. No one could come in sick, and we all were checked for illness just to get out the door.”

            To combat his cancer, Papa Rick would have to undergo four chemo treatments and stem cell transplants. When not at the hospital, he would have to relax at home, as the bills would eventually build up. Nothing seemingly could lighten his mood.

            “When Jackson first learned about his Papa Rick, he stayed in his room all afternoon upset,” Amber said. “However, when he finally came out, he wanted his grandpa to feel that he wasn’t alone. Jackson wanted to do what he could for him.”

With Amber’s help, Jackson shaved his hair.

            “I wanted him not to feel alone,” Jackson said. “I asked my mom about the idea and she thought it was very brave.”

            Jackson got to see his Papa Rick on Sunday, Jan. 8, with his new cut proudly on display. Emotions overwhelmed his grandfather, who couldn’t say anything for a full five minutes, according to Amber. The tables had suddenly turned. Papa Rick had been there to teach Jackson everything from about 4-H and going to supporting him at games, and now his grandson was the one supporting him.

            “To have Jackson do this in honor of me took me by surprise but after the fact, I thought ‘this is Jackson that has been my best little friend forever!’” Papa Rick said.

            Amber displayed his hair and the story behind it on Facebook, where many of her friends applauded her son’s efforts. The gesture was heart-warming, but there was still much more to come for the Johnston family.

            The next day, Jackson started his week at Pekin Middle School with his fresh shave, unaware that not all his classmates would be so impressed with the new hair.

            “Wow you look like you have cancer.”

            “Why would you want a cancer patient haircut?”

            “Hey baldy!”

            The insults were hurled at Jackson over the course of what he calls the “worst day ever.” Fellow students didn’t quite understand why Jackson shaved his head, even after he explained  why several times. Teachers took notice of his bad day. Several were Facebook friends of his mother, and were fully aware of the situation. They reported Jackson’s struggles to Amber, who in turn reached out to principal Tim Hadley.

            “I’ve gotten to know Jackson a little bit through the years and more now with him being at my school,” Hadley said. “He’s a sensitive young man, but in a very positive way. Big heart, great family, and can be a bit quiet. We’ve all made bad comments, but the ones made to Jackson really got him.”

            Upon hearing about Jackson being bullied, Hadley felt he could have simply taken the bullies aside and talk it over or discipline them if need be. However, the “principal with many hats”, as Amber describes him, thought of a way to turn this situation into a learning experience for all.

            “Later that night, Mr. Hadley asked me to have the same clippers I used to cut Jackson’s hair brought to school the next day,” Amber said. “I seriously thought he would simply use them as a prop, to teach the kids about what happened.”

            Around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, all students from the middle school were gathered in the commons for a surprise assembly. Jackson, a shy kid who admitted to hating crowds, was encouraged by Hadley to join him front and center as his own principal asked him to shave his hair as well.

            “It’s important to address policy, but there are times in life we all have an opportunity to really reach our kids,” Hadley said. “I could have brought down the rule book on anyone and everyone, but this was one way I knew I could make a difference for Jackson and our other students.”

            Suddenly, the idea of shaved head seemed a lot cooler to the middle school students of Pekin. Many cheered on Jackson, as he took the clipper to his own principal’s hair. Teachers, including Paula Pollock, also joined in the fray to support Jackson and their principal. Pollock recorded a video of the assembly, posting it on Facebook to the delight of Amber.

            “Just to see Mr. Hadley do that for Jackson was incredible,” Amber said. “He helped Jackson with his nerves by encouraging him beforehand and being there for him when my son felt like hiding.”

            Cancer had not only affected the young life of Jackson, but also the very man whose hair he was shaving off. Hadley’s mother won her fight with thyroid cancer while he was in high school. More recently, his mother-in-law has fought against uterine cancer, while his own grandfather lost his battle.

            “I’m proud that Jackson stood up for something he believed in,” Hadley said. “It’s brave of him, not only to shave his hair, but then to go out in front of his peers like this. I give him all the credit in the world.”

            After the assembly, students came up to Jackson to apologize. Some had been the bullies from earlier, some were simply admitting to their hurtful actions behind his back. All of them, however, were not approached by Hadley to do so. Several of the students also began to talk to Hadley about their struggles with cancer in their family, as the stigma behind the subject was suddenly lifted across the school.

            “My level of respect for Mr Hadley is beyond words,” Papa Rick said. “For him to do this with my grandson and for me and so many others means so much.”

            Soon, 20 other students also shaved their heads to honor not only Papa Rick, but the countless others affected by cancer’s long reach. Amber and her family started selling t-shirts to raise money to pay for her parent’s gas mileage, co-pay, and other bills. Just as that was getting off the ground, the story of Hadley and Jackson spread across the internet like wildfire. The video created by Paula Pollock was shared thousands of times, and led to local news stations to travel to Pekin on Tuesday and Wednesday to interview them both. Even Good Morning America and other national media sources jumped on the shave train.

            “All the attention has been overwhelming, but in a positive way,” Amber said. “It’s given us something to think about other than the sadness. Just knowing the impact this has brought to people is wonderful.”

            “I’ve gotten to talk to people from the Ellen Show, Fox News, and people all over the world are saying they are praying for my grandpa,” Jackson said. “It feels really good,knowing everyone is praying for him, even when they have never met him.”

            Yet the biggest reward for Jackson, despite now being confident in front of camera, remains the same; seeing Papa Rick’s smile the day he showed off his shaved head. Now Jackson wears it proudly, along with a content smile. That’s how Papa Rick wants to see his grandchildren, after all.

            “I've been given a renewed sense of hope this week with thoughts and prayers from around the world!” Papa Rick said. “I’m so proud of this young man. He has been through so much in his young life, so just to see Jackson happy makes us want to do whatever we can.”

            Sometimes, your heroes don’t wear capes, but instead proudly show off a shaven head. 

 

            

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