By STEPHANIE BEACH
When someone stole 8-year-old Duncan Callaghan's wheelchair from his front porch on Sept. 24, the thief took more than a chair. They stole Duncan's mobility, but thanks to a caring and generous community they weren't able to take away a little boy's belief in the goodness of people.
Duncan has cerebral palsy and is recovering from corrective surgery on his legs. With both legs in casts, the wheelchair was his mobility. When the incident was reported in the Sept. 26 Record-Eagle many people quickly responded with offers of help.
"Duncan learned a very difficult lesson and we as parents had the formidable task of trying to explain that sometimes people do terrible things," wrote Duncan's father Tim Callaghan. "But Duncan learned something else as well, something of great value that will remain with him always. That there is compassion here. That there are people who would help because that is in their nature.
"There are no words to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to our wonderful community of friends and neighbors ... but we would be remiss if we did not mention: our families, Miss Lisa, Sheri, the 'Wise Man' and the Record-Eagle staff, Miss Sheena, Mr. Bob, TV 7&4, the Traverse City Police Department and Captain Brian Heffner who was kind enough to come to our home with updates and also with the great news that Dunc's chair was returned. Thompson Pharmacy we could not have done it without you. 'Mr. and Mrs. Claus' you just made his whole face light up. Captain Caveman and Trish, Roy Schroeder, Miss Becky and the Glenn Loomis third grade Montessori class, Linda Stewart, Steve Wade, Kathy Zimmerman, Trigger Boxing and everyone who called in tips, sightings and advice, the mystery person who returned to chair to Thompson's, the gentleman who stopped by our house with an offer of a free chair, and our new neighbor who did the same, Cassie, and Bob and Kathy Kewaygoshkum who acted immediately so Duncan wouldn't be without his 'legs' for one more second than necessary."
Tim added the family's thanks to everyone who helped their little boy and apologizes to anyone they may have missed.
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Mark and Robyn Thompson and Chad and Lisa DeBolt of Thompson Pharmacy wrote to add their thanks to the Callaghans'.
"What an amazing city," the letter stated. "Our phones rang non-stop with many generous offers to pay for a new wheelchair. ... It is great to live in an area where we have so many caring people willing to step forward and lend a helping hand. Thank you Traverse City for all your caring actions."
