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It's a lot for a third-grader to handle Many teachers write to Operation: Kid Equip on behalf of students requesting assistance with different situations or unique needs. They write to OKE because they know that our dedicated team of volunteers and family of supporters will help search out anything a student needs to get through the school day. This is part of a recent request that came in: "There is a child in third grade that is in a wheelchair and she is amazingly sweet. Unfortunately, she has to use a colostomy bag and apparently they are being told that they have to empty and reuse the same bag 3-4 times in one school day when they used to be able to just throw it out. The little girl is horrified and embarrassed where she doesn't even want to come to school because it smells so bad when they empty it and clean it out. I feel like this child needs help keeping her dignity and feel horribly for her." The student, Emily, is one of the sweetest eight-year-olds you will ever meet. She is in a wheelchair because a horrifying incident left her paralyzed from the waist down. At school, it takes two full grown adults to lift Emily to change her diaper and colostomy bag. They have to do this several times a day! Emily loves school and often has a smile on her face. She says hello to everyone, but you can see the pain in her eyes from all she has gone through. Already confined to a wheelchair, she is having a hard time as she gets older because the other kids notice her differences and that sometimes she has a very strong odor. Sometimes when emptying and re-using the colostomy bag, it spills on her or others. This can be embarrassing and humiliating for Emily. She likes her classmates, but they are starting to avoid her. This is causing Emily to avoid school. Dignity ranks high on our values list. So, when we received the e-mail and learned more about Emily this past Sunday, we quickly sprung into action by sending a special request throughout our networks. Within hours, we had several people who were ready and willing to help. 
These supplies can help boost Emily's confidence and keep her dignity in place. The odors she can't control will be reduced because she won't have to re-use bags. The bags will make a huge difference in her being able to come to school because her mom can't afford to send her to school with the proper supplies. This request is a great reminder that our students have a wide variety of needs to get through the school day. You help us meet these unique challenges through your ongoing support. Sometimes, that support takes on the form of sharing the request on Facebook or sending a special e-mail to a friend who may be able to help. Emily needs more than 100 bags per month; something her family can't afford. We're confident more supporters will step forward to help make sure Emily has a supply of colostomy bags to last throughout the school year and to help cover the freight expense from a national source. (You can help by this newsletter to someone who can help, or by contributing toward the shipping costs for Emily.) You are helping Emily overcome her embarrassment, maintain her dignity and widen the smile on her face. Your commitment to service and compassion continues to create profound results!
Thanks for your continued support of Operation: Kid Equip, we can't do it without you!
Yours for the children,
Menachem (Michael) Kniespeck Founder & CEO P.S. I probably won't send another Smile Alert before my birthday, but I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who honored my birthday wish for OKE on Causes and through our website. Thank you!! | 
