Home LOCAL NEWS T.G. Givens student gifted a special surprise

T.G. Givens student gifted a special surprise

by MyParisTexas
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Young Iziah got the surprise of the season earlier this week when the Paris Fire Department’s C-Shift crew dropped by to not only wish him a Merry Christmas but help him celebrate his birthday as well.

“Iziah is the happiest boy you will ever meet,” said Sheila Ensey, principal of T.G. Givens Early Childhood Center.  

“He is non-speaking and mostly wheelchair-bound, but you wouldn’t know his struggles if you couldn’t look past his vibrant outlook on life and big smile,” she added. 

What was supposed to be just a little extra holiday cheer for the young man turned into a birthday present of big proportions. And it all started with one family who wanted to give a little extra holiday cheer to a family and student that was deserving.

“We have a daughter in the special needs class at the school, so my husband and I felt that with all of the blessings we have, it would be a special treat to pay it forward to another student this Christmas,” said Brooke Sumners.

Sumners and her husband have two children, one who is autistic and attends the local special needs school here in Lamar County. 

“If you’re blessed, be a blessing,” she said. “That’s what the bible tells us, and it’s also what our family believes wholeheartedly. We know what it’s like to struggle and be a special needs parent, we understand that sometimes these kids feel different and outcasted. This is why we felt we could make a difference to ensure a beautiful child could feel extra special this Christmas.”

The Sumners came up with the idea just a few weeks ago, so Sumners reached out to Ensey to ask if there was a student that came to mind that they could surprise. 

“I didn’t know what child was going to be chosen, but I already knew that we should get some new clothes for them, and of course a new toy!” Sumners explained. 

“When Brooke called and told me of her idea and asked if there was a student that we would have in mind, I immediately thought of Iziah,” said Ensey. “This boy is always smiling; he would have to be the happiest kid in school.”

Ensey went onto explain that due to his disabilities, he relies on help to get through the day. And even more impressive is how his siblings never waiver to help him. 

“Iziah’s siblings help him on the bus every morning and at home. The whole family is just beautiful,” she further explained.

“One struggle I ran into was trying to find a toy,” said Sumners. “At first I didn’t want to know who the child would be, but when I was talking with Sheila it came out that it was Iziah so a basketball or regular toy wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Iziah is fascinated with firetrucks. And because of that love, Sumners knew precisely what she could do. 

“I wanted to make this extra special for him. So I called the firehouse and spoke with the chief, he went above and beyond to help organize a fire truck to surprise Iziah and his family,” Sumners explained.

“We coordinated with Iziah’s mom. She is a single mother and usually works a lot of nights, and we only had a small window available to get this surprise done,” said Ensey. 

From the moment the Paris Fire Department pulled up, Iziah became overwhelmed with excitement to see the big red truck pull up at his home, on his birthday!

“His face and smile are what it’s all about,” said Sumners. “He was so happy and trying his hardest to get to the truck as quick as he could.”

Those there on the day said that the pure joy of seeing how excited Iziah was at the surprise-filled them all with the Christmas spirit this season. 

“When Jay Daughtrey took his hand so he could touch the light on the truck it became an extraordinary moment to witness,” said Ensey.

“I can’t thank Brooke and her husband enough for the most wonderfully kind gesture they took it upon themselves to do for one of our students. And to the firefighters, Jay, Nick, Dreyton, and Darren, to have gone above and beyond and to be so gentle in helping one of our students and his family was a real blessing,” she added. 

There’s no doubt that young Iziah has captured many hearts here in Paris, and that his bright and positive outlook on life has inspired so many who know him. 

As of Dec 20, the video posted to social media by the school had garnered more than 4,000 views and climbing. 

Iziah and his family reminded everyone there that it is the small things in life that bring us the most joy.

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