What prevents us from living our life in freedom? There is one thing and one thing only which can do this. FEAR. Freedom is living without fear. People fear a lot of things these days. We fear snakes, heights, global warming, abuse, accidents, being alone, change, lack of change, bacteria, losing our job, time, technology, decisions, being dependent, being independent, doctors, surgery, poverty, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, lawsuits, love or lack of love, divorce, progress, responsibility, sharks, strangers, terrorism, war, famine, losing our home, losing our family, being cheated on, getting fatter, getting older, and most of all, one local teen must fear the streets of Havana, Illinois...
Freedom is
a wonderful thing and especially for one young man in particular.
Cory Miller has experienced a lot in his fourteen years. His battles of
course include experiencing the daily tasks we do without thinking, yet he
wants to and does more and more each day. These are tough battles but Cory
is brave and loves a challenge. He has even tied a lawnmower to his
wheelchair and proudly mowed the lawn. When Cory's mom and dad's
relationship ended in divorce Cory moved away from Havana with his mother
and her new husband but Cory took all that in stride as he is a
strong and brave young man. Strong enough in fact to deal with being forced
to witness the murder of his mother by her new husband.
This past year a great young teenager was finally able to come home to Havana, Illinois. He arrived here and found freedoms he had not yet known in his young life. This young man came home to a loving family, a school he loves and excels in as a straight-A student, proudly on the Honor Roll, so many friends he can't count them all, and most of all the freedom to go to our parks and downtown area to be with people. This young man is the bravest person I know as he has endured not only a disabling birth injury but more life challenges than anyone I know. This young man is one of my hero's and I admire him very much.
Sunday, August 17, 2008, was a beautiful day in Havana and as
usual this young man was at Riverfront P
ark
"walking" with friends and even people he had just met. It was the kind of
day he loves so much, simply because he was free. Free to enjoy the day and
the people in it. The fact that he enjoys his freedoms from his wheelchair
does not limit his love of life and of course his new freedoms. Sadly there
was soon a group of young teenage hoodlums harassing and threatening him. He
immediately began trying to escape them when his chair became stuck in the
turf. He was badly beaten and kicked. His glasses broken along with his
wheelchair. After this gang left him lying in the dirt, beaten and kicked
viciously, he was able to make his way to the police station for help. This
incident remains under investigation at this writing, October 7, 2008.
It took a
while but this young man fought his way back. He was able to be free once
again because as I told you, this is one very brave young man. Sunday,
October 5, 2008, was yet another beautiful day in Havana and once again the
beautiful day included Cory enjoying it on Main Street in downtown
Havana. I am extremely sad to tell you that these individuals once again
found him. These same attackers restrained him and produced a white powder
substance in a baggie, placed a portion of it into a metal spoon then heated
the spoon with lighters and forced it into his mouth. This not only
caused severe burns inside his mouth but serious concerns about the identity
of the powder. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of the burns and
blood tests to identify the substance which he spat out upon the attackers
leaving. One of the aggressors stated, "This is for telling on us."
Officials are telling media representatives, "This incident is under
investigation."
I know a lot of soldiers who have fought very hard to preserve freedom. None of them have fought harder than this young man has for his freedoms. Far too many soldiers have given their lives for freedom, does this young man have to suffer the same destiny? This situation needs rectified with these attackers charged and punished. I sincerely hope this latest event along with the first can be resolved soon. We have other citizens here with disabilities and what about older citizens who like to walk in our parks and on our streets, if these young hoodlums remain at large roaming the streets who is next? I urge all of you to hold a good thought for this young man. He is very brave, but he deserves the freedom it took him so long to find. As citizens of any town in our country do not let fear rule the streets of your town. Sadly fear has returned to Cory Miller's life. His freedoms have once again left him as he is now forced to remain in the confines of his home for his own protection. The offices of our Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, have been contacted by the family and now engaged in these matters. We can only hope and pray that they can also restore the freedom to the heart of a brave young man who loves it so very much.
