I’ve always been especially touched by and proud of the story of Say K Paw, a refugee of the Myanmar genocide, which destroyed everything her family-owned; they fled to a refugee camp in Thailand, where she nearly died of rare heart disease.
Her parents got her to the United States, where she received life-saving medical treatment, and went on to Bishop Maginn, where Sue Silverstein took her under her wings.
She was one of the first refugee children I met and interviewed – you can read her story here – and one of the first whose tuition we paid both at Bishop Maginn and Bishop Gibbons.
She was accepted at the Maria College Nursing School this summer, which she had just finished. She will start her nursing career in September. The lowest grade she got all summer was a 90. I remember Say K telling me that she wanted to be a nurse so she could help sick children the way she was helped.
She seemed shy, but she isn’t. She wrote a beautiful essay about the tragic persecution and slaughter of the Karen People in her country, which continues today. She wants to be an advocate and help Americans understand what is happening in Myanmar is urgent and essential.
Seeing Say K Paw grow stronger and more confident was a gift. She was one of the Bishop Maginn students who helped train Zinnia to be a therapy do. Everything she does, she does well.
She was the artist of the week in Sue Silverstein’s art program again and again. Say K Paw suffered greatly on her path to America. She is a person of enormous character, talent and courage. Congratulations, Say K, on becoming a nurse, your dream for years. Her wonderful essay on being a refugee still rings in my ears.
“Nobody wants to be a refugee,” she told me. But she became one and turned it into grace and meaning.
Congratulations, Sue, for helping a refugee student who needed love and direction and got so much from you. You did it again and again and do it still. I’m proud to know you.
Thanks also to the Army Of Good. We paid Say K Paw’s six-year tuition to get her to her dream. She is a proud and valuable new citizen of our country.
Hi Jon would love to read her essay, but the link(s) don’t go to the essay.
It simply circles back to this blog post
You have to go to the page sorry
Is that photo of Say K Paw one of yours, Jon? Hearty congratulations to her for her hard work…………and that photo is just ……more than I can even describe beautiful!
Susan M
I know your position here is only a cheerleader but your reporting of her is greatly appreciated. What a wonderful, gifted, & hard working young woman. I just know that she’ll go far & be an asset to our country. The patients that she touches will be fortunate to have known her. God bless her for all her hard work & God bless you for sharing her story. I so look forward to hearing about her future accomplishments.
For me, this is what your blog is about. Telling us about the massive accomplishments of these intelligent & hard working kids that without help & encouragement would be swept under the rug. Sue & so many others have opened her eyes in such a great way. Everyone that follows her is so proud. It’s almost like having our own kid to cheer for. Again, God bless you all for all that you’ve done.
I can’t tell you how happy I am to have been a part of Say K Paw’s journey from death and genocide and dislocaion to her new life as the nurse she said she wanted to be when I first met her. I was near tears this morning thinking about. I know little or nothing of about how many classes she took for how long in what place, that’s not my business. I leave that to her fortunate employer. This is, as Steve said, what my blog is all about. She will be a nurse in a few weeks at a distinguished medical establishment.
I have no idea how much training or classes she took or where or for how long. That is the business of her new employer, not me. I’m not going to let go of this moment. It is miraulous to me so many people worked so hard and for so long to make it happen. Say K Paw worked the hardest at all, never losing her sweet and generous spirit, never losing hope. She is an inspiration for me. Thanks Steve, for your generous comments.
I want to thank all of you who helped her along the way with tuition and whatever else it was she needed. Sue Silverstein is a hero once again. I’m going to carry this joy in my heart for as long as I can. Thanks for your good comments and thoughts of encouragement. This is holy work to me, and the results always are better than I imagined. Doing good is healing and spiritual and the source of joy. Thanks again, and Godspeed Say K Paw
How did she finish what is a 2-4 year program, with all the required clinical hours, in one summer? Anyway, congratulations to her! I’m sure she will go on to accomplish great things.
She worked hard, as always..
Sounds like a wonderful soul?