The Heart of a Hero

On March 23rd, 700 of Fred Korey's biggest fans gathered at the Harbor Club in Buffalo to show their support and offer encouragement to the man who has defined what it means to be a hero. The $25 a ticket benefit featured live and silent auctions of autographed hockey memorabilia and other prizes to assist with medical expenses for Korey, executive director of the Hasek's Heroes. Since 2001, he has worked tirelessly to build Hasek's $1 million endowment for inner-city youth hockey into a thriving program that has leveled the playing field for countless kids. Now, Mr. Korey, 46, is faced with a very different challenge; the battle against Lou Gehrig's disease.

Korey sat quietly below the podium in HSBC Arena, aided by a ventilator but firmly holding a marker and a dry-erase board. Throughout the evening it was apparent that this degenerative nerve disease has stolen a lot from Korey's life, but his sense of humor is still very much intact. At one point, when Hasek's Heroes board member Mark Mendel was trying to quiet the crowd, Korey wrote a message on his board; "Yell like you do on the bench at a game."

Mr. Korey is the 25th member of his family to develop Lou Gehrig's disease. This fact alone would cause many to live life in fear, but that is not Fred's style. He says that he is living his dream, teaching his kids. His sister, Janice Curatolo, shared, "Freddie has so many more things to live for, and we are so thankful he has chosen life. He's still the same Freddie."

During the evening's events, many supporters shared their admiration for Mr. Korey. Long time friend, Dominik Hasek was one of them.

"Fred Korey is a man who means so much to my family and to this community," Hasek began. "This community has always been so great to me and my family. I wanted to give something back, and [Hasek's Heroes] is helping young people build confidence and self-esteem in life.

"It needed strong leadership," he added. "The common thread to tie all our efforts together has been Coach Fred. He wasn't just coaching hockey -- he's been investing in the future leaders of this community…He knows what it means to be a dominator."

Conservative estimates of the events proceeds have been stated to be $60,000.

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Gabe & Izzy
Girl and dog on a mission
"No School Bullying"

"Making the world a better place one school at a time." That is what I told my friend in an e-mail was the goal of my next speaking engagement. In his reply to me he said, "You are the perfect person to do it." As I sit here and think about it, basically that is what I'm doing. I am doing my part, no matter how big or small it may seem, to make the world a better place. When I am no longer here on earth, I will have left a lasting mark of good and I hope a change in how people treat each other. After all, isn't that the greatest success in life? I think so and many others think that too.

I speak in schools across the nation about bullying; how hurtful it is and that it usually leaves a negative lasting effect. I would like to share with you some feedback I have received from the kids.

Hartland, MI
Today, you and Izzy visited my school, Hartland Ore Creek. I thought that the presentation would be just another "No bullying" or "Stay drug-free" assemblies but this was different. I liked hearing from someone that actually knows what they were talking about.
Love, Hayley

Lansing, NY
Gabe, you had a very touching story; that was felt by many people in my school. You were recently at my school, in Lansing, New York. I know one bully, well, former bully, who just hearing you speak that day made her realize that what she was doing was wrong, and she apologized to all those people who she'd been so mean to, myself included. You left a long lasting impression on a lot of those bullies here in Lansing, and I wanted to thank you for it. It must have taken a lot of guts to go up there and speak to us, but you did a great job. So, great job, and keep it up! :-)
Love,
Amanda

Dexter, NM
You inspired me to stand up for myself!
Chelsea

Dexter, NM
Dear Gabe and Izzy,
Well I would like to thank you for coming to our school today in "Dexter". I know you must get a lot of comments from kids all around the country, but I just wanted to say that your presentation made me think about bullying. I would like you to know, I am not going to ever do it again.

Scottsburg, IN
Gabe and Izzy are a special duo. What a winning combination!
I teach with Debbie Owens and she told our lunch bunch Gabe and Izzy stories. I was, however, still not prepared for how touching your story would be for the Scottsburg Elementary students and for me.
Bless you! Both of you are a big success. Thank you for sharing your message about bullying and how important it is to respond in kind.
Good day,
Mrs. Jones, 4th grade teacher Scottburg Elementary

You can read more feedback in my guestbook at www.gabeandizzy.com.

Gabe & Izzy, No School Bullying, Girl & dog on a mission!

Once again it's time to start the new school year! Over the summer my little sister Madeline (ten years old) had braces put on her teeth. The first thing she shared with me when she returned home from the orthodontist was her fear of being called, "brace face," when the new school year starts. It saddened me to think Madeline already knows she will be teased before it happens! Although Madeline has been taught how to deal with bullying, as well as how to help eliminate it, not all kids have.

ELIMINATE BULLYING
There are a lot of ways to help eliminate bullying but, it must be taught. One way is so simple and many times students and staff just don't think about it. It should be posted in every school....JUST DON'T DO IT!

THIS IS THE EASIEST WAY TO PREVENT & ELIMINATE BULLYING.
If you see or hear anyone being bullied TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST. It won't just go away. You MUST confide in someone. Perhaps telling a school counselor, teacher, minister, parent or adult friend could save you a lot of pain. If the first person you go to does not help continue to seek help.

All schools should have a NO SCHOOL BULLYING POLICY in effect. It should include the consequences if caught bullying, how the school will deal with this destructive behavior, how the victim will be addressed, as well as list the steps on how to change the bullying behavior. If your school does not have a policy maybe YOU could help initiate one.

Schools should have assemblies with guest speakers who are experts on the subject of bullying. There should be discussions about bullying in the classrooms, anti-bullying posters should be posted in school hallways, English classes should require an Anti-Bullying paper each semester, and Drama class should do Anti-bullying plays.

There should be a NO SCHOOL BULLYING week. Peer counseling should be available. Discussion on what goes on in school that makes you angry, why kids bully, steps to deal with bullying, and how to prevent it should be the topics. Everyone student and staff member should be involved. Don't forget bus drivers are staff J

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE BEING BULLIED

REPORT IT!
This can be hard yes, and or embarrassing but, it won't go away by ignoring it, it must be reported. The bullying behavior must have consequences. If it's not you being bullied it will be another victim. The behavior must be stopped! One lady said to me, well it's happened to all of us in some way or another. I said, yes it most likely has but, that does not make it acceptable or justifiable. We must change bullying behavior because it escalates into crimes.

DO NOT FIGHT BACK
Don't fight back with hurtful word or physical confrontation. You could get hurt making the situation worse. Try to ignore the bullying when it's happening to you but, then you must REPORT IT to change it.

SHOW CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF
Walk tall with your head up, look those who bully in the eye, even if you're scared inside. When confronted you will not appear timid or scared giving the impression that you won't take bullying, your confidence and you will stand up for yourself

TYPES OF BULLYING
There is physical, verbal and emotional bullying. Each kind is hurtful and can leave a negative long term, life lasting effect. Those who bully tend to single out students who are non-assertive and stay isolated. It's important to make an effort to be friendly.

REMEMBER, BULLYING NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE IT ESCALATES INTO A CRIME SCENE.

I was taught for as long as I can remember to be friendly to everyone and never to make fun of anyone because everyone has a right to be different. It was hard for me to understand when kids began making fun of me because I thought all parents taught there kids to never make fun of anyone for any reason.

Your friends,

Gabe & Izzy

Visit us at our website @ www.gabeandizzy.com

Book us at your school today / NO SPEAKING FEES

Quest Story
www.gabeandizzy.com

Gabe and Izzy Take a Stand Against School Bullying

Gabrielle "Gabe" Ford of Fenton and her faithful coonhound, Isabel, "Izzy," have been traveling around the country promoting "no bullying in school."

Earlier this year, she talked to students in Hartland schools. Recently, she talked to students at Fenton's Tomek-Eastern Elementary School (which she once attended), where her younger sister, Madeline, is currently a student. Teachers Jennifer Turner and Rose Fitzgerald were responsible for Ford's visit to the school.

"I tell the kids that bullies can be boys or girls," said Ford. "I share with them what type of bullying I experienced in school. I also share with them about the kind kids who stuck up for me. I think it's important to remember the helpful and kind kids in school, too."

She tells the students that there are bullies in every school, it's not the school that bullies, but the student. Kids can be cruel, and they are.

"I talk about the many different ways kids bully, such as hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, name calling, spreading nasty rumors, damaging belongings, taking friends away, making derogatory remarks about weight, looks, a disability or your family or by stealing belongings."

She tells high school students that bullying causes pain to the victims and that it is never justified. She also tells how bullying can escalate into crimes.

"Never is bullying OK or should it be excusable as 'kids being kids' or any other rationalization," she said. "I gear my talks considering the age of the audience."

At the end of each presentation, she asks the students to make a commitment to Izzy and her, promising never to bully anyone throughout their school years.

The young woman just returned from lecturing students at Dexter Elementary School and Dexter Middle School in Dexter, N.M.

Besides New Mexico, she and Izzy have visited schools in California and Indiana, as well as numerous Michigan schools. They are booked for North Carolina schools this month and have other states securing the talk for next fall.

Ford suffers from a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder (Friederich's ataxia) which has no treatment or cure. By giving, she helps herself.

Izzy, dubbed a miracle dog, has helped her mistress come to terms with her own disease. The dog later became ill, underwent surgeries and recovered.

A 1998 graduate of Lake Fenton High School, Ford was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 12. She attended Fenton Middle School prior to moving to the Lake Fenton School District.

The television program "Animal Planet" heard about the girl and her dog and came to Fenton to film an episode which aired in April of 2001. This was the first time that Ford actually opened up and talked about her disease.

Doing this feature encouraged Ford to get out and meet people. The girl and her dog have appeared on TV in the "Animal Planet" segment more than 50 times and it is still airing. Because of this program, her public speaking began and has taken her from coast to coast.

Before her presentation, she shows the "Animal Planet" film. She then talks about her positive experiences, as well as her challenges in high school, telling how important it is to have support from classmates during difficult times and tells how bullying can hurt.

Ford has been named the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association 2005 Personal Achievement Award for MDA's Mid-Eastern Michigan Chapter.

The awards program recognizes the accomplishments and community service of people with disabilities caused by any of the neuromuscular diseases in MDA's program.

Ford, being actively involved in schools, speaking to students about bullying others who are different, and being a spokeswoman on youth and disabilities, combined with the fact that she discovered her dog, Izzy, was also affected by a muscle disease, qualified her for the award.

She is eligible to receive MDA's 2006 National Personal Achievement Award. The national honoree will be announced on the 2005 national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day.

"Izzy flies by my side on Southwest Airlines and attends all my speaking engagements," said Ford. "She loves kids. We are doing quite well considering we both have progressive diseases."

©Tri-County Times 2005