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| ~Photo by Bobbie Toner |
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By Elizabeth Sayer
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large group of kids could hardly restrain themselves from climbing,
sliding, bouncing and swinging all over the new Brian Higgins Tot Lot
that was officially unveiled on Thursday at the John F. Kennedy
Elementary School. "Brian would have loved this playground," remarked
Roxane Scrima, a teacher at the school. "If there is one thing I will
never forget about Brian, it's his smile, and he would have had so much
fun here." The playground, which is fully accessible to children with
disabilities and includes a wheelchair obstacle course, swings a
see-saw and a vegetable garden, was donated to the school by the
Higgins Foundation in Brian's memory.
Brian Higgins became
severely disabled at three weeks of age, losing his eyesight, ability
to walk or eat independently. Having lived only nine short years,
Brian's perseverance and spirit has had an overwhelming impact on
community and those that surrounded him. Several of the speakers at the
Tot Lot dedication became emotional discussing Brian and the multitude
of challenges he faced, as well as the smile that shone through despite
his adversities.
Brian passed away in 2002 and the Higgins
Foundation was created in his honor. It is a non-profit organization
that seeks to aid families and children with disabilities. 100% of the
proceeds received by the Higgins Foundation go to charities and
individual aid.
Mayor Curtatone, Superintendent Pierantozzi,
Members of the School Committee and several Alderman gave remarks and
thanked the extensive support the Higgins Foundation has dedicated to
members of the community as well as to the city of Somerville. Maureen
Bastardi, Chairperson of the Somerville School Committee and close
friend of the Higgins family choked back tears while paying tribute to
all that the Foundation has accomplished over the years, and all that
the Higgins Family has been through. "I stand here today wearing two
hats," Bastardi said through tears, "That of a good friend of the
Higgins and that of the Chair of the School Committee."
Once the
remarks concluded, the bleary-eyed Higgin's family took the stage to
unveil the plaque that will be affixed to the entrance of the
playground, that officially designates the area as the Brian Higgin's
Tot Lot that reads "A special boy whose smile was contagious."
The
Higgins Foundation, which hosts an annual Trivia Night Fundraiser, has
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to donate to various causes
such as the Make a Wish Foundation and The Special Olympics as well as
more local organizations like the Somerville Recreation and Youth
Foundation. The Higgins Foundation also helps aid individual families
with their medical bills or equipment that their insurance may not
cover. To learn more about the Higgins Foundation, visit www.brianhigginsfoundation.org
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