Testimonial from Ryan Hatfield
Intro by Sharon Cecil
I would like to share with you a letter from a most memorable young man Ryan Hatfield who captured my heart on August 10, 2013 with an unforgettable introduction.
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March 15, 2016
I first became involved with We Survive and Day of Hope as a first-year pharmacy student. The Day of Hope event was the first service learning project I had undertaken in pharmacy school. I didn’t really know what to expect other than I knew I was going to help provide health education to underprivileged children and their families.
Each of the pharmacy students were paired up with one of the children from the shelter. The child with whom I was paired was one of the older ones there, and he was definitely not thrilled that he had to participate. I tried talking to him and getting him to open up, but all I got was nowhere fast. I get it—we are from two vastly different worlds, and to be completely honest, I probably would have been just as aloof as he was if I was in his shoes.
The day itself had various activities. There was an educational component to it, of course, but the children and families also got to explore nature. For most of them, I’d hedge a bet that it was the first time they’d ever been out of the city. The young man with whom I was partnered started loosening up a little when we went on the hike, but he really came out of his shell when we went down to the creek. He absolutely loved being able to explore the creek. His biggest prize was the frog that he caught. We had to pry him from the creek when it was time for the groups to change activities. He did a 180 from the time he arrived at the farm to the time that he left. Being out at the farm did wonders for him, even if it may have only been for that day.
The children and families that participated in the event were so gracious and so thankful. If not for Moody and Sharon Cecil, I don’t think a lot of these folks would have the opportunity to get out into the country and experience nature in its true form. The Cecil’s have done amazing things with this program.
Seeing the children and families being able to enjoy their day with playing games and being out in nature and being able to forget about life for a while was a great opportunity for me as well. I’ve participated in the Day of Hope event each of my 3 years in pharmacy school. I graduate in June, and while I know that I won’t always be able to attend the Day of Hope event every year, it is an organization that I do wish to continue to support.
Thank you, Moody and Sharon, for helping put the human condition in greater perspective for me.
Ryan Hatfield, PharmD
Sullivan University College of Pharmacy, Class of 2016
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