Still, I think the reason I have become such a devoted fan of the Blackhawks and the sport of hockey is because their resilience and ability to succeed through challenge after challenge reminds me a lot of the youth in our Dream Leaders program. People give hockey players a lot of credit for their toughness, and after attending the infamous Duncan Keith teeth loss game, I am the first to say that credit is deserved. I thought it was absolutely remarkable that Duncan Keith came back on the ice. I saw Marian Hossa wincing with burning pain during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals after getting cross checked by a Flyer, and was blown away when he came back on the ice. I’ve also seen Brent Seabrook have more bleeding wounds glued together and come back on the ice than should be possible. These guys are undoubtedly heroic.

But what about the young heroes in our communities who must continuously endure pain and obstacles far beyond what a dentist can fix? When you consider one of our Dream Leaders whose parents were such raging alcoholics that he had to help feed and dress his father when he was only 5 years old and had his mother walk out on his family on his tenth birthday, it is impressive that he even continues to show up to school each day, but it is heroic that he came to one of our Dream Leaders events at 7:30am on a Saturday, so he could tell his story to other kids to help them through their struggles.   That was his ice.

When our students tell me their struggles—abuse, neglect, grief, violence, disability—my initial reaction is always to tear up and get angry that we live in a world where people so young have to deal with so much. Then, the kids remind me that their stories are not to be pitied but to be respected. Just as Duncan Keith has loved showing off his toothless grin as a badge of courage, we have taught our Dream Leaders to be proud of their stories and share them with others because what they have endured has made them care even deeper about giving back to others. It is fitting that many of our Dream Leaders are graduating high school the same weekend that the Chicago Blackhawks are celebrating their championship, because the fact that our kids have come from such struggle to graduate and go onto college to continue giving their gifts to the world is their Stanley Cup victory. Congratulations to our valued partner the Chicago Blackhawks and congratulations to our graduating Dream Leaders. You all are the most deserving, heroic people I know.

All my best,

Abby

PS Watch the video below to see Dreams for Kids tribute to the Chicago Blackhawks.