Zach and John

Posted April 10, 2017 at 5:25 am by

Jane Burton-Bell shares this story with you…

Zach Crichton and John Moalli – Contributed photo

Hello SJI,

I wanted to tell you a great story. Here on San Juan Island, a local man who volunteers in the STEM class at the local high school has created a fantastic opportunity for a local boy. Zach, who has cerebral palsy resulting in severe physical disabilities was working on a project in his STEM class.

John Moalli, the volunteer, was amazed to see how much Zach had going on in his mind, that he is unable to easily express. John and Zach have become great friends and so John, also a college lecturer, wanted Zach to have opportunities, and wanted his students at Stanford to think about others and their challenges, and how appropriate design could really impact lives.

So John began the unlikely mission of taking Zach, and his wheelchair, mother and para-educator to a Stanford class from Friday Harbor, and this spring break it’s going to happen. He has somehow got a private jet donated to transfer Zach to Palo Alto to attend his class ‘Dare to Care: Compassionate Design’, tour the Stanford campus and fly home the next day.

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11 comments...

  1. I just love this, so cool!

    Comment by Kristina DayVincent on April 10, 2017 at 9:25 am

  2. This is awesome!

    Comment by David Meiland on April 10, 2017 at 9:31 am

  3. This is so exciting. Beautiful.

    Comment by Cat Bordhi on April 10, 2017 at 4:55 pm

  4. WOW!!! This is fabulous!!! Have a great time! I know it will be awesome!!

    Comment by Krispi Staude on April 10, 2017 at 5:38 pm

  5. That is so fantastic.
    Have a great trip

    Comment by Celia Devault on April 10, 2017 at 7:52 pm

  6. Such an inspirational story. Thank you!

    Comment by Traci Wilson on April 10, 2017 at 11:12 pm

  7. Cool! What a great opportunity! Have a blast!

    Comment by Margaret Bell on April 11, 2017 at 6:48 am

  8. I have tears of joy for you both. What a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved ❣

    Comment by Sue Davis on April 11, 2017 at 7:00 am

  9. Kiwanis of Friday Harbor was pleased to donate funds to Zach for this wonderful opportunity!

    Comment by Nancy Fusare, Club Secretary on April 11, 2017 at 7:09 am

  10. John Moalli…your heart is in the right place.

    Comment by Carla Wright on April 11, 2017 at 8:00 am

  11. Lovely story and important to the lives of many. Thanks!

    Comment by susan r grout on April 11, 2017 at 11:04 am

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