see      http://www.makingpeacewithdestiny.com/franklintaekwondo.htm                             for info (and photos) about the fund raising

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from the tennessean.com

Friday, 04/25/08

He's 16 today and just glad to be alive

SPRING HILL — Joshua Stevens turns 16 today, a milestone for many reasons.

Sixteen marks a coming-of-age moment in this teen's life, but it also marks a victory in his battle with a deadly disease.

Though Stevens lost his left leg to cancer last week, his drive to survive remains fully intact.

"I'm just grateful he's alive," said Teresa Rose, Joshua's mother. "I see him doing great things and having great mobility in the future."

Stevens on Wednesday returned to his home in Spring Hill after spending a week recovering from surgery to remove his left leg at the hip at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. He said he's doing well but feels phantom pains where his toes and knee used to be. And pain is something he knows about; he's been dealing with it for more than three years.

Stevens found out he had bone cancer in 2005 and his left femur was replaced with cadaver bone. After recovering from that surgery, doctors discovered a grapefruit-size tumor in the upper part of his leg. It left him weak and he struggled to walk.

"It was really hard," Stevens said. "Sometimes I'd try to ignore the pain or play a video game or watch a movie to get my mind off it."

Cancer has plagued the members of his family, but they remain unbeaten.

Joshua's older brother, 17-year-old Corey, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left arm in 2004. His humerus, which was filled with cancer cells, was replaced in April 2005. Doctors also removed portions of his lungs where cancerous spots were discovered.

Rose, 44, has had her own battle with the disease. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago and had a bilateral mastectomy. She has put her life on hold to take care of her boys. She acts as their nurse, nutritionist, educator and mother. Both boys are home-schooled. Recently divorced, Rose says she has incurred thousands of dollars in credit card debt and said the stress of dealing with bills and her son's illness has caused a recurrence of the breast cancer.

Rose often utters the phrase, "I am at peace with destiny." It's become her family's mantra. The words have helped her and her sons deal with the challenges life has thrown them.

"A month ago, before the amputation, I asked God to show me unmistakably plain if it needed to be done," Rose said. "During that month, things were not going well. The leg seemed to be like an anchor to Joshua. It was unmistakably plain."

Benefit is in works

This family's story has touched the hearts of many. They've received donations and gifts from churches, charities and individuals. A group of students and parents at a tae kwon do studio in Franklin has put forth an effort to help them physically, spiritually and financially. The Franklin Taekwondo Academy is having a martial arts tournament to raise money for Joshua. The tournament, to which 22 training centers have been invited, will be May 17 in the gymnasiums at Academy Park in Franklin.

On Saturday, the academy will have a kick-a-thon to help offset expenses for the tournament. Owner Jack Smithson has given both boys lifetime memberships. The brothers had accelerated in tae kwon do before they were diagnosed with cancer. Joshua was allowed to stand in for his brother during tests to earn the rank of purple belt when the brothers lived in Baltimore in 2005.

"Someone asked me why I'd give memberships to two boys with cancer," Smithson said. "It's to give them hope. I like to think that it gives them hope to get through this thing."

Shelia Griffy, a Franklin mom whose son takes tae kwon do lessons, said Joshua's struggle has "touched me to the very core." Griffy said she's amazed by his faith and courage and the positive outlook Rose has kept.

"They have inspired me so much," Griffy said. "It's just amazing how people have poured out support for them."

Prayers sought

Joshua's fight isn't over. He still has cancerous spots on his lungs and must learn to get around on one leg. He's dealing with nausea caused by the medications, but he wants to go out to eat for his birthday.

He says he would like to have a prosthetic leg. Joshua said he's not interested in driving right now but would like to in a couple years. Corey, on the other hand, has been pestering his mother to teach him how to drive. He wants a license and keys to the car.

Friends have tried to help in several ways, even giving Joshua a pager, which he's clung to for the past few days.

"It's called a prayer pager," Rose said. "The idea is you call the number when you say a prayer for him and it vibrates to let him know you're praying."

Joshua said he's thankful for the support, prayers and gifts he's received. He's also surprised by the things people have done for him and his family.

"I'm just a 16-year-old kid that had cancer," Joshua said.

Friends call him a fighter, motivator and hero.

"Determination would be the word I'd use to describe that whole family," Smithson said. "Their story tugged at my heart I guess. They are what it's all about. Hard work and giving life everything you've got to give."

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