OT: Sometimes Heroes Really Are...

[serenadust]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at y..., "Steve" <bboy_mn at y...> wrote:
> I was very touched by this. Seems like something Ron might do. And 
my
> admiration of Rupert Grint has certainly increased since I read 
this. 
> 
> http://www.whtimes.co.uk/archived/2002/wk48_2002/news/asp/tony.asp
> 
> Excerpt: Nov. 27, 2002
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Tony fights for his life, but final days helped by visit of Harry
> Potter star Rupert (Grint).
> 
> BRAVE Tony Chapman has lost his nine year battle with leukaemia.
> He was just 14.
> 
> But three days before his death the Harry Potter fan had a surprise
> which made the sick youngster extremely happy.
> 
> He was visited by Rupert Grint, also 14, who plays Ron Weasley in 
the
> movies.

<snip>


> Sorry, I know this isn't quite on topic but I thought you would all
> love it anyway.


Thanks, Steve.  I wanted to call attention to this article (which 
can also be accessed through the Leaky Cauldron), as well but you 
beat me to it.

An earlier post mentioned how well brought up Daniel Radcliffe seems 
to be, and I completely agree that any parent would be proud to have 
a son who conducts himself as well as Daniel does.  

However, this story concerning Rupert Grint's visit to a dying boy 
he's never even met has impressed me greatly.  I know from personal 
experience how difficult it is for people to visit the home of a 
child in the last stages of a terminal illness.  Most adults have a 
very hard time with it, but for a 14 year old to choose to do 
something this kind shows a rare level of maturity and compassion 
well beyond his years.

He could have simply made a phone call to the boy, made him happy, 
and gotten lots of credit for doing something nice, without actually 
exposing himself to an uncomfortable, and potentially painful 
experience.  To actually go to the boy's home and spend real time 
talking and playing with him was truly amazing, and his parents 
deserve loads of credit for developing his character to the point 
where he'd want to do something like this.

This boy's parents will always cherish the memory of the happiness 
this visit must have brought to their child in his final days. Rupert
can't possibly understand what doing something like this will mean 
to them in the years to come, but he's set a powerful example for 
other kids who find themselves enjoying sudden fame and success.

Jo Serenadust, who also gives Chris Columbus credit for finding kids 
who come from such great families to play our favorite trio