JAVI CHANGES OUR WORLD
by Dr. Megan L. rheingans MichaeL Physician, Mother and Proud Owner of Three Specials on Campaign
A tenacious little boy frolics in the rain in the empty ring at a dog show. His mom happily records a video while cheering him on. Stomping in the rain means more to this little guy than it does to most. You see, Javi has cerebral palsy. Ninety thousand social media fans and counting have viewed Javi’s video on that rainy day. His persistence has inspired the world. He is walking. He is smiling. He wants more. The sacrifices his family has made to get him to the point of being able to walk are immeasurable. His parents diligently encourage him, pick him up when he falls, and remind him that he, like any other child, can do anything he sets his mind to. The world is proud of Javi. We are rooting for him. And not many of us would have been aware of his miracu- lous abilities were it not for the harsh words of the unkind. Recently, Javi was scolded for using his walker at a dog show. The walker makes no noise. Neither does Javi. His father has taught him to be respectful of show dogs, and the handlers who work so diligently to make them shine. His mother tried to explain why Javi needs his walker, and that he had every right to be present watching his father in the ring. She was dismissed. Javi’s father tried to explain, and was told it was not the time or place. The administrators left the building, and were not ame- nable to correcting the wrongdoing. A devastated family took to social media to express their pain. Meanwhile, Javi did not understand. Children do not understand the poli- tics of adults, nor should they. Children understand right and wrong.
Javi’s feelings were hurt. It took his parents over a week of persistence and encouragement before Javi would con- sider using his walker again. When I heard of this situation, my heart sank. Not just for Javi and his fam- ily, but for all the injustice and unkind words in our world today. While adults frequently disparage each other, includ- ing our show dogs, there is no excuse for admonishing a child for simply being present. Those of us who have sunk huge sums of money, our time and our pas- sion into the sport of purebred dogs understand this sport is dying. There is no new blood. We snub newcomers to our sport. We critique their dogs, and their efforts. We want to win. Who are they to come in and try to take that from us, the elite? This used to be a family sport. Par- ents and children would show their dogs, cheer on their favorites and barbecue at the end of the show day. What are we left with now? A collec- tion of inconsequential ribbons for wins that were hard fought between bitter rivals. None of it really matters. By defini- tion, this is a sport. We take ourselves too seriously. We have lost the joy that Javi has every day when he puts one foot in front of the other. While there will be consequences for the mistreatment that Javi and his fam- ily experienced, those cannot negate the blows to Javi’s self-confidence, and his rehabilitation. I have strongly implored the admin- istration at the highest levels to uphold the AKC Code of Ethics, and the law. None of us are exempt from respect- ing civil liberties and following basic social détente.
I encourage the rest of us to sit with the discomfort of this situation. Javi has reminded us what is important in life. Winning is not worth breaking a child’s spirit, or causing his family lasting pain. Let us hold ourselves to a higher standard: a standard of respect, integ- rity, and appreciation for what truly matters in this world. Thank you, Javi, for reminding the adults of our respon- sibility to leave this world a better place for you and all our children (furkids included). #IRUNWITHJAVI
“Winning is not Worth breaking a chiLD’s spirit, or causing his faMiLy Lasting pain.” 5 01 / 05$) 5 0:4 " 13*- t
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