Teen cousins step in for hospitalized dad at dance, cancer survivor breaks record and beaver saves sanctuary
CBS News Writer David BegnaudThe latest section of Dear David shows a series of inspiring stories sent by the audience, including stories of a teenage cousin attending a father-daughter dance, a cancer survivor who broke his father’s high school basketball record and a rescued beaver whose recovery helped save the animal sanctuary.
Teenage cousin participates in father dance with love behavior
Two teenage boys chose family over fun and skipped a Boise State basketball game when the girl’s father escorted her young cousin to the annual father-of-the-year dance while she was hospitalized after the surgery.
Cade Nicolaysen, 15, of Eagle Scouts, and Brody Nicolaysen, 13, arrived with cousins, Gracie, 7, and Allie, 6, who were unable to participate in life-changing surgery.
“We both stood up and were like, ‘Yes, we’re willing to do anything.’ “I think it was definitely the right decision. ”
The boys stayed all night, teaching young girls dance moves, including YMCA and the Waves.
“We want them to feel special, we love them,” Brody said.
The girl’s grandmother, Julene Wynn, contacted Dear David, saying that when there are too many negative emotions in the world, when our youth seems hard to reach, it’s great to see the next generation do good to others.
“It may be a memory we will never forget,” Gracie said.
“It’s really special for us,” Ellie said.
Beaver rescue brings new life to animal sanctuary
A beaver named Agnes suffered severe injuries and malnutrition that has become an impossible feeling and financial savior on social media, this is a struggler Animal Rescue in Indiana.
Pipsqueakery, run by Alex Hernley and her husband Jason Minsterketter, is a small animal rescue and shelter in Bloomington, Indiana, when she was covered with severely injured wounds.
According to rescuers, the couple recorded Agnes’ recovery online, and her story spread, leading to an urgent need for donations – enabling the organization to continue to care for other animals.
According to the hospital operator, Agnes did not return to the wild because of the severity of the injury, but had become the ambassador to the organization.
Recovery from hospital to record-breaking game
In a high school gym in Pope County, Illinois, 18-year-old Elijah Presser scored 48 points in his final home game of the season, breaking the 31-year-old record set by his father, Tyler Perser, who is now one of his coaches.
This achievement marks the crystallization of Elijah’s dream of being diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma At 9 years old. During the five months of chemotherapy and hospitalization, basketball was both distracted and motivated.
“Sometimes we’re at home, I’m still going out and shooting a little bit, and I feel good from time to time,” Elijah said.
During treatment, Elijah told her mother that once he beat cancer, his dream was to beat his father’s high school scoring record.
“Next, you know, he was sitting at 40 points and I was shaking there, trying to stop it,” Tyler Perser said, “The first time he learned that his wife was pregnant.”
Now without cancer, Elijah plans to attend Southeast Illinois College, the same school his father attended.
“God really blessed me, my father wanted the best of me,” Elijah said. “He was all I learned about basketball, not only basketball, but my life and faith in God.”
David Begnaud loves to reveal the heart of each story and will continue to do so, emphasizing everyday heroes and proves that there is good news in the news with his exclusive “CBS Morning” series “Beg-Knows America.” Every Monday, get ready for a moment, which will make you smile and even shed tears. Do you have a story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for others? Email David and his team deardavid@cbsnews.com
