Natasha Fuller was a bright, bubbly eight-year-old who was a pleasure to teach. Her teacher Jodi Schmidt looked forward to seeing her sweet pupil each day as she helped lift the class with her positive attitude.
But Mrs Schmidt, a mom of three, had no idea that behind the smiles Natasha was dealing with a serious illness and a separation from her immediate family.
Natasha was separated from her twin sister Brookelynn, who lived in Oklahoma with their parents, and had been staying with her grandparents Chris and Mark Burleton in Wisconsin for two years so she could receive specialized care at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
The Oakfield Elementary School student was born with prune belly syndrome, a condition that causes urinary tract disease and ultimately requires a new kidney. Natasha had been traveling to the hospital three times a week for dialysis but had fallen into renal failure and desperately needed a kidney.
Because Natasha suffered infections regularly, she kept getting taken off the transplant list. When her teacher found out what this sweet little girl was going through she had to do something.
After a discussion with her family Mrs Schmidt decided to get herself tested to see if she was a match. She then called Natasha’s grandmother in to discuss what she had discovered.
Natasha’s grandmother thought she had been called to discuss her granddaughter’s health or grades but was clearly surprised when she was presented with a pink box. See her reaction in the video below; she’s left speechless with tears streaming down her face when she sees what’s in the box.
Even better is what happens when Natasha is called into the office and given the same box. It’s an emotional scene!
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This is the perfect example of why teachers should be celebrated. What an amazing act of human kindness; she’s a true hero to this little girl.
Please share this wonderful story with your friends and family.
