Troy Sandella was born April 5, 2000. Weighing in at 1lb 6oz, he was born prematurely at 23 weeks.
It was do or die with Troy right from the get go. On his first day the doctor walked in, looked at his parents, John and Jeanne, and told them flat out there was nothing more they could physically do, that it’s now up to him, and the chances aren’t good.
Troy stood up and refused to quit.
So small that his daddy’s wedding ring could loosely fit all the way up his arm, Troy faced a double hernia in his first week along with a ruptured bowel, forcing immediate surgery, and still, he got up and chose to fight.
At 3 years old, Troy went into see a pediatrician for a routine check up. When the doctor entered the room she looked at his papers, looked up at him and immediately began crying. As it turned out, the doctor was on rotation at the hospital when Troy was born. She remembered him the moment she saw him and couldn’t believe her eyes. She didn’t expect him to survive.
When Troy got older he was diagnosed with Functional Delay. It’s not what any parent wants to hear, but according to doctors, his social abilities have kept him from being diagnosed as Mentally Retarded.
For anyone who has been in a room with Troy, it’s obvious his personality is as bright as the day is light. I’ve known Troy now for 10 years. I can’t tell you how many times the kid has drove me crazy, but I can tell you it’s no where near how many times he has made me feel loved.
His parents have done an amazing job at raising him. They’ve celebrated his strengths and have worked diligently on his weaknesses. When faced with being placed in a contained classroom, they immediately fought the school system to prevent them from making that decision. It was a hard battle but they prevailed and Troy’s opportunity to socialize in a normal society was able to continue.
Just this week, Troy came face to face with another battle. A battle that many kids all over the world are facing every day. A battle that has unfortunately claimed the lives of too many. While getting off the bus Troy was attacked by two bullies. They pushed him to the ground and proceeded to kick him. Their kicks were hard and they were to the groin. When this undeserved beating was finally over, he came home to his family. He began to tell his parents what happened. They were older boys, and he didn’t even know who they were. He didn’t understand why.
This morning while talking to his dad about the situation, I asked him how Troy responded to the beating. He said he came home, told his family what happened and said,
“Daddy, I kept getting up just like Captain America”
Thanks, Dave! He is pretty amazing. I had to laugh, he was so proud of learning the word “goin” (groin). I feel his personality has spared him more of the kind of treatment he received this week. Kids generally like him. He is generous and has a real sense of humor. He is truly God’s gift and I pray God will continue to protect him.
If this occurred in the United States, it is BATTERY, not just bullying. Hopefully the parents press charges.
I worked with John and Jeanne before Troy was born. Awesome young couple! Thanks for sharing Troy’s story.
Time to get that kid a shield!
A strong heart will always outshine
weak minded people, Troy is a much better
than the thugs who tryed to hurt him.
Keep your head up troy, you are one of the
best we americans have.
I remember holding him in the NICU and when you sang to him his oxygen level would go up. Thank for sharing this. I know he doesn’t know me but I do think of you guys often.
John never told me about the singing part. That is so cool!
[…] year, Internet readers shared the story of Troy Sandella, a kid diagnosed with functional delay who was attacked by bullies but told his father: “Daddy, I kept getting up just like Captain America.” The story […]
[…] Last year, Dave Vanz, owner of Real Focus Media, Inc., first told the world about Troy — the son of a good friend — in a blog post entitled “Raising Captain America.” […]
[…] Last year, Dave Vanz, the owner of Real Focus Media, Inc., first told the world about Troy — the son of a good friend — in a blog post entitled “Raising Captain America.” […]
As a child growing up I was picked on throughout school. With the last name Bonner the bully’s in my school would call me Boner, it was horrible. I had glass’s and at one point for several years a patch over my left eye. I remember my freshman year in high school I was hoping to try and get a new name for myself, but unfortunately one of the bully’s that picked on me ended up being in my English class. On the first day of school my English teacher said my name wrong and the bully chimed in. I had, had enough and a fight broke out. Because I was being picked on and my parents wanted me to be able to defend myself I was put into karate and then later ti kwon do. So I used it to my advantaged and kicked the kids butt. I was tired of it, tired of being picked on because I wore glass’s or because of my last name. I was suspended from school but when returned that bully had nothing left to say to me.
Now an adult no one mess’s with me, I’m x-military and know 3 different styles of martial arts, I walk around with my chin held high and my chest out. However that’s me, I’ve been through it. I live with that horror for my kids and I wonder how am I going to teach them to deal with what cruel immature children when they start to call them. names. These days are kids are much more sensitive they take matters into their own hands and have means to really hurt someone or themselves. These teachers who are suppose to protect and teach their young minds sit ideal by and do nothing. They watch these kids struggle. So I ask myself… if someone is to pick on my 8 year old daughter what is she going to do? If someone push’s her do I have her walk away or stand up for herself and fight back? Do I put her into self diffence class so that she can protect herself in case something bad does happen? Or do I teach her to be proud of who she is and make her understand that those who pick on her are those same kids who themselves have problems and are lashing out because their own house hold is not that great. These movies like highschool musical is extremely close to the truth of social status. it’s simply amazing how divided our children are for each other. We can thank TV and Music for that crap.
As an adult I understand that bulling is a part of growing up…however to what extent… We must prevent our children from hurting themselves or others. Talk to your children and ask them how they are doing, be active in their lives and pay attention to how they feel.
[…] Last year, Dave Vanz, the owner of Real Focus Media, Inc., first told the world about Troy — the son of a good friend — in a blog post entitled “Raising Captain America.” […]