Students get life lessons at KMS

Posted 6/14/15

Above: Rohan Murphy, who lost both legs at an early age, delivered an inspiring message to Kickemuit Middle School students Wednesday.

The students at Kickemuit Middle School received very different messages on Wednesday, June 10, as …

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Students get life lessons at KMS

Posted

Above: Rohan Murphy, who lost both legs at an early age, delivered an inspiring message to Kickemuit Middle School students Wednesday.

The students at Kickemuit Middle School received very different messages on Wednesday, June 10, as speakers Chris Herren and Rohan Murphy shared their stories — both focusing on the importance of believing in yourself and avoiding life’s obstacles to succeed.

At 9 a.m., Mr. Herren spoke to the eighth grade class, giving a no-nonsense lecture on substance abuse and its ruination of lives.

He told of his personal experiences, growing up in a house where his parents “argued over lite beers,” and his own heroin addiction that took him from a promising career as a professional basketball player to a drug addict.

“I’m giving you a very brief look into my world,” the former Boston Celtic told the silent audience.

His message seemingly touched all, with several students brought to tears by his personal accounts. For others, the message was too real and they stepped out of the gymnasium with teachers and staff.

“These kids in here right now, they were just like me,” he said.

Mr. Herren encouraged the students to be confident in themselves, without looking to alcohol or drugs as an escape.

“If you have a friend who’s struggling, help that friend,” he said.

By the end of Mr. Herren’s presentation, students began to share their life’s experiences with their classmates. Some told of their experiences at home; others of their experiences with their peers.

"The cool kids aren’t the ones who drink and do drugs,” he said. “The cool ones are the ones who can have fun without that.”

Following Mr. Herren was Rohan Murphy, whose birth defect required both legs to be amputated. Wanting to overcome his personal obstacle, Mr. Murphy went on to wrestle at the collegiate level, despite having no legs.

Speaking to the sixth-grade class, Mr. Murphy told the group how, when he was in school, he would wear prosthetic legs “just to fit in.”

“They didn’t make it easier for me. They just let me fit in,” he said.

But after a school administrator encouraged him to join the wrestling team, he was able to recognize his ability more than his disability.

“Every single day ordinary people do extraordinary things,” he said.

Mr. Murphy illustrated his ability, walking on his hands and gently taking down one student with a quick wrestling maneuver.

Kickemuit Middle School

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