Kindness Gone Viral
Suited Band Of Brothers Stands Up For Unstoppable 6-Year-Old "Danny"
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. —When Danny Keefe was born, his parents were told he would be severely handicapped both physically and mentally due to a serious brain hemorrhage. But the dapper little boy with the infectious smile and indomitable spirit defied those predictions. Danny speaks with difficulty due to childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and he wears a suit and tie every day by his own choosing.
Danny, the official water coach for the Bridgewater Badgers Div. 5 Peewees, cuts quite a figure on the sidelines with his suit and fedora. And he’s forged an unbreakable bond with the boys on the team, his parents said. Danny’s mother said Danny has regularly been teased at the playground and elsewhere. Kids have pulled his hat down and called him demeaning names. So, when the quarterback, Tommy Cooney, heard Danny was getting picked on because of the way he speaks, he took it upon himself to do something about it. The 11- year old decided to wear a suit to school just like Danny in a show of support for his young friend.
“He’s such a good person. He doesn’t let it bother him. He goes on with his day. He’s a 6-year-old kid. We should all respect that,” said Tommy. Many of the boys became emotional as they spoke about Danny getting picked on. Tommy told his fellow Badgers about “Danny Appreciation Day” and they all thought it was a great idea. On Nov. 20, more than 40 students crowded around the little boy with the winning personality cheering “Danny, Danny.”
“This is the best day ever,” Danny said, beaming. “He feels so loved and protected,” said Danny’s mother, Jennifer Keefe. When Danny used to come home crying after being teased, his mother would hope his last thought at night wasn’t about being picked on. “With this act of kindness, I hope he thinks of that as he goes to sleep,” she said.
Danny, the official water coach for the Bridgewater Badgers Div. 5 Peewees, cuts quite a figure on the sidelines with his suit and fedora. And he’s forged an unbreakable bond with the boys on the team, his parents said. Danny’s mother said Danny has regularly been teased at the playground and elsewhere. Kids have pulled his hat down and called him demeaning names. So, when the quarterback, Tommy Cooney, heard Danny was getting picked on because of the way he speaks, he took it upon himself to do something about it. The 11- year old decided to wear a suit to school just like Danny in a show of support for his young friend.
“He’s such a good person. He doesn’t let it bother him. He goes on with his day. He’s a 6-year-old kid. We should all respect that,” said Tommy. Many of the boys became emotional as they spoke about Danny getting picked on. Tommy told his fellow Badgers about “Danny Appreciation Day” and they all thought it was a great idea. On Nov. 20, more than 40 students crowded around the little boy with the winning personality cheering “Danny, Danny.”
“This is the best day ever,” Danny said, beaming. “He feels so loved and protected,” said Danny’s mother, Jennifer Keefe. When Danny used to come home crying after being teased, his mother would hope his last thought at night wasn’t about being picked on. “With this act of kindness, I hope he thinks of that as he goes to sleep,” she said.