Ho-Chunk youth shows compassion with cards for Safyre
By Ken Luchterhand
A simple Christmas wish by an 8-year-old burn victim, Safyre Terry, has touched the hearts of many people across the nation and resulted in positive wishes by millions of people.
One of those people wishing her well is Marshall Standstraight, son of Wendy Huling and Kirk Standstraight.
When Marshall heard about the plight of the little girl, he did what he could to make her Christmas a little better.
Marshall asked the entire first-grade class to help him send love and support to Safyre by sending Christmas cards to her. There are 116 first-grade students in Forrest Elementary School who answered that call, plus the eight first-grade teachers.
Safyre was badly burned in an arson fire two and a half years ago, the same fire that claimed the lives of her father, two brothers and a sister. Safyre survived, but she suffered burns on 75 percent of her body. Also, she has had a hand and foot amputated and has undergone several surgeries.
As Christmas approached this year, she decided that she didn’t want any presents. But she did want to receive Christmas cards, her aunt posted on her Facebook page that she was hoping to get cards for the holidays.
The outpouring of that request was terrific, with a semi-truck load of cards delivered to her.
Marshall wanted to do his part, as well.
“Each year, I teach my children the need to show love and the joy of giving to others,” said Huling, his mother. “After seeing the story of Safyre, Marshall chose to show her love and support this year.”
Marshall sympathized with the girl, knowing of physical challenges in members of his own family, Huling said. He has a 20-year-old sister who has been paralyzed since she was 10 and a nephew who was born with partial blindness.
“He loves unconditionally and believes everyone is special in their own way,” Huling said.
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