The Ambassador of Love...David Ecker, Elementary School Student, Honored with Inspiration Award
Known as the Ambassor of Love, David Ecker, a 9-year-old fourth grade student at Edgemont Elementary in Belleville, Michigan, touched the lives of people in Belleville, Michigan and around the world. David was honored with the Mary Ellen Rotay Inspiration Award at the Wayne Community Living Services (WCLS) Friends Dinner in the Spring of 1994.
David, with his foster mother Darlene Russ, were recognized for their pioneering efforts for full inclusion of students with special needs in regular education classrooms, not in special education. David, who had a form of Muscular Dystrophy, used a ventilator to breath and a tube to eat. He was not able to talk or walk.
But the Ambassador of Love used his smile, his big silent laugh, his eyes to blink yes or no and his shoulder to move an adaptive device to melt the hearts of everyone who drew near.
"I wanted David to attend regular class with all the kids in the neighborhood," said Darlene Russ. David became well-known in school, in Belleville, and around the world. He was the first child on a ventilator to attend a public education, regular school in the state of Michigan.
The crowd of 850 at the fundraising dinner cheered wildly. David's principal at Edgemont, Jonathan Hale, gave an emotional, inspiring speech. US Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, who developed the Family Subsidy Support Act, gave a nod to David, his foster family and WCLS as a reason for the important supports that Michigan provides for children with disabilities.
David, with his foster mother Darlene Russ, were recognized for their pioneering efforts for full inclusion of students with special needs in regular education classrooms, not in special education. David, who had a form of Muscular Dystrophy, used a ventilator to breath and a tube to eat. He was not able to talk or walk.
But the Ambassador of Love used his smile, his big silent laugh, his eyes to blink yes or no and his shoulder to move an adaptive device to melt the hearts of everyone who drew near.
"I wanted David to attend regular class with all the kids in the neighborhood," said Darlene Russ. David became well-known in school, in Belleville, and around the world. He was the first child on a ventilator to attend a public education, regular school in the state of Michigan.
The crowd of 850 at the fundraising dinner cheered wildly. David's principal at Edgemont, Jonathan Hale, gave an emotional, inspiring speech. US Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, who developed the Family Subsidy Support Act, gave a nod to David, his foster family and WCLS as a reason for the important supports that Michigan provides for children with disabilities.
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