Volunteerism Changed a Young Life

Posted July 22, 2010

AS A HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE IN Birmingham, Ala., Will Martin was a popular kid, a star baseball player, and an honors student. From the outside, his life looked pretty good.

Only it wasn’t. “He was becoming increasingly unhappy,” recalls his mother, Sondra Martin. “His father, Charlie, and I started noticing him pulling away from friends. He didn’t care about his schoolwork anymore. He was not this driven personality we had known him to be all of his life.”

Worse still, it was hard to put a finger on what was pulling Will into this dark place. But she understood at least part of it: his peer group seemed mostly to live “inside the box,” disparaging those who ventured into new activities outside of sports and parties.

A Doctor’s Orders

Watching her son’s weight begin to drop precipitously, Sondra set up an appointment with Will’s pediatrician. The doctor agreed Will was clearly depressed, but the treatment he prescribed surprised both Will and his mother.

Not drugs. Not therapy. Instead, he strongly advised Will to try some volunteer work. “He said it would clear my head, take my mind off of my own problems,” Will says. “I was a little skeptical, but at that point I was so unhappy, I was willing to try anything.”

The prior year Will had spent time helping in an art class for special-needs children in order to meet the school’s art requirement. He had enjoyed the experience, which gave him the idea to contact the Exceptional Foundation, a local non-profit that strives to meet the social and recreational activities of mentally and/or physically challenged individuals.

“At first I was just planning to volunteer a few hours a week, and immediately I fell in love with the people,” he says. “After a while I was volunteering four or five times every week.”

He was hooked as he observed everyone striving and laughing through activities from karaoke to seated volleyball.

“Every time I go,” says Will, who is volunteering again this summer, “what I take away is how full of life and truly spirited the people who go to the Exceptional Foundation are. From the very beginning I would think, how could I be dissatisfied with my life when I’m working with these people who seemingly aren’t as fortunate but are so happy? Their attitudes and joy are what really helped me.” In short, his doctor was right: helping others had helped Will. Will considers it a life-changing experience.

As does Sondra. Asked what motivated Will to delve headlong into volunteer work he’d never considered before, she says that in hindsight it seems fairly simple.

“I guess it takes a kid who reaches rock bottom and realizes, this is not where I want to be,” she says. “And then a pediatrician who says, you’re going to have to do something for somebody else, and it will make you a lot happier.”

Though some might find it hard to believe volunteering for a non-profit could abort a downward spiral of depression, Tricia Kirk, the foundation’s executive director, says she sees it all the time. “I’ve had so many people tell me how much their outlooks have improved after they took time to volunteer here,” she says. “It’s a wonderful thing to see.”

One Change Spurs Another

Because many students from local John Carroll High School happened to be among the other volunteers at the Exceptional Foundation, and as Will made friends with them, he realized that school would be a better fit for him as he headed into his junior year.

“I was meeting people who are driven, who really want to reach their goals,” he says.

With just a week to go before the start of school, his parents enrolled Will at John Carroll. It was clear Will’s gut feeling was right.

Will joined the school choir. His grades and test scores have improved, bringing attention from Ivy League and other highly competitive schools. And as he enters his senior year, it’s clear how much impact the Exceptional Foundation has had: he now aspires to study medicine, ideally in a field in which he can work with Down syndrome children. “At this point,” he adds, “I’m open to a lot of things.”

For more information on The Exceptional Foundation, please visit www.exceptionalfoundation.org.

SONDRA MARTIN is a Collateral Perfection Manager and her husband, CHARLIE MARTIN, is an Adjustments Manager for Regions in Birmingham, Ala.

THE EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION is a Regions customer.

comments (19)

Will is a good example of how we become so wrapped up in our selves that we neglect others. It is uplifting to read how when he changed his thinking, his depression ceased. Will is now an example of positive change and what a difference it can make--not only in our lives, but in the lives of others. It is a joy to read how this volunteerism has changed what he wants out of life and how he now approaches things differently. The people he helps don't even know the difference they have made in his life. Happiness can be found in any situation if you look. Will, you are blessed.

Judy Bates

Great story, thanks for sharing. Thank you Will for your contribution to our society, more people should follow your lead. Would make us all appreciate what we have. God Bless You.

Fran Nolin

Wow !! Will the greatest attribute in life is to serve others. To give selflessly and gain hope, strength and Love and with all of those characteristic's brings a confidence that nothing in this world could ever buy and or even come close to it. I commend you Will and I am excited for your future you are going to be something amazing I believe it. As a youth Pastor it is story's like this that encourage me that struggles in our lives will bring new life and appreciation. Thank you for letting us view a little glimpse into your world. Let Hope arise Pastor Chelsea Montgomery

Chelsea Montgomery

What a wonderful story & very touching. I wanted to take a moment & commend his Parents for noticing the changes in their son. As parents, it’s easy to get caught up in our jobs & everyday lives that we tend to miss these type signs until it’s too late. It’s not easy raising children in today’s society. Our young adults have so many more challenges to face then we did. For some, change & transition from high school into the “real world” can be very overwhelming. Will, you are a wonderful “Mentor” to your peers. Thank you for your contribution and for making a difference to those that are not as fortunate. We can all learn from you, god bless.

Barbara

When we focus outwardly on others instead of ourselves we begin to see that life is a lot bigger then our uncomfortablities and issues. You want to be happy... help someone else.

amiller

As young mother of one and looking toward the future of raising a family; I appreciate this story because I remember that high school was the rough point in life when self absorbency takes over and there does not seem to be a light. I don't want any of my children to feel this way so I am keeping this story close to my heart and will strive to bring and keep volunteerism in our household. Thank you.

Kelly Dodson

What an awesome story. It is good to hear that a doctor suggested something besides medicine or therapy...I have found too that when I am taking the focus of "me" and reaching out and helping others, I am a much happier person. This is a good reminder for all of us. It is also cool to read this story because I used to go to church with Charlie and Sondra at Chalkville Baptist Church many years ago. Thanks for sharing your story and encouraging us all to take our eyes off our problems and to help others.

Kim

This is a great story. I think Will will go far in life. I find that many young people are looking to find where they can help other people. This generation might not be called the "Me" generation after all. God Bless you, Will.

Bonnie Joyner

Will I am very proud of you, I am happy. The Doctor really let God use him. God has Great things for you.

DoT

Great Job. I am very proud of you. I only wish that more of our teens would step up to the plate and become more hands-on with serving others. May God bless you as you go through your senior year.

LyTonya Sullivan

Truly God is Awesome!! Thank God 4 change!! Will truly God is working with you! Keep trusting the Most High!!! Working with special people truly is a blessing!! Will always keep God 1st!! Ask God to Guide you. God is Able and in Control!! Keep the Faith!! Be blessed!!

Adrienne Underwood

As both a Regions associate and a John Carroll graduate, I could not be more proud of Will. I too had a life changing experience performing service in High School though mine was with the MDA. Hopefully Will can continue to grow and motivate his friends and community to get out and make a difference in the lives of others.

Austin

What an inspiring story that we all could apply to ourselves when we start feeling sorry for the situations we face in life. Will, may GOD bless you as you travel through this journey called "life". This could be a solution to inspiration many young people who feel they have no hope, just look at someone less fortunate!!! Thanks Regions for sharing these stories, it makes ourselves realize how fortunate we are!!

Judy Sherbert

Through depression Will, the Lord was leading you to His be-loved Special needs Children, so that your compassion would lead you to His destination that He has prepared for your Life. And that destination is to study medicine to help his precious mentally/physically challenged children. Thanks Will, and I know that you will become a very successful Physician ! You have my Blessings....

Celeste D. Edwards

I enjoyed reading this story. I think it is great that Will's doctor recommended something other than drugs for his depression. Which are only a temporary fix for the problem. Now Will is helping so many others while helping himself.

Danette Miller

Will, what a wonderful story. My children both went through depression at early ages and I wish I had a doctor who would have given me this advice. May God continue to bless you and your education goals. You are the type of person I would want working with my children.

Debbie

I love reading stories, how helping some else in need can actually help your own soul; that is the way God made us; I'm thankful for stories like this is available for all the employees to read; especially now; with all the negativity in the world today; Thank-you for sharing this story, it has made my day.

Jane Campbell

Will, your story is inspiring and reminds me of a quote I recently heard: "I am a little pencil in the hand of God who is writing a love letter to the world. " Mother Teresa

B Lanzi

WILL IS SETTING A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US. I WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS.

DORIS FLEMONS