Amazing People Series: Sam Berns

Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE

Here you see Sam at his TEDX talk

What made 17-year-old Sam Berns an Amazing person?

Even though he suffered from the disease of Progeria, he knew .

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE “I never waste my Energy feeling bad for Myself.”

-Sam Berns-

HAPPINESS I made the theme of this story about Sam Berns on happiness because that is the quality he stood for.

When Sam was asked, “What is the most important thing people should know about you? Sam answered, “I have a very happy life.”

He didn’t want people to feel sorry for him. He also didn’t want to think about the obstacles his disease caused him twenty-four hours a day.

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE “Being brave isn’t supposed to be easy, but

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Sam Berns was 17-years-old

moving

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He weighed only 50 lbs. at that age

forward.”

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He was under 2 years of age when

it’s the key to

-Sam Berns-

diagnosed 

Born: October 23, 1996

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Died: January 10, 2014

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Mother: Dr. Leslie Gordon, Pediatrician.

His mother and her team discovered the gene

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Father: Dr. Scott Berns, Pediatrician.

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His parents established the Progeria Research Foundation. In an effort to increase awareness of the condition: o To promote research into the underlying causes and possible treatments for the disease o They offer resources for the support of those with Progeria and their families.

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Sam’s favorite sports team was the

Boston Bruins 3

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE HAPPINESS RULE # 1 “Be OK with what you alternately can’t do, because there is so much you CAN do.

-Sam Berns-

 One of the questions Sam was asked by an audience member in one of his talks was, “Isn’t it hard living with Progeria?”  Sam answered by saying, “Though I have Progeria, most of my time is spent not thinking about my disease.”  Sam chose to focus on those activities that he could do and the things he was passionate about.  For example: scouting, music, comic books and his favorite Boston sports team the Boston Bruins.

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE HAPPINESS RULE # 2 “Surround yourself with people you want to be around.

People of high quality.”

-Sam Berns-

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Sam shared, “My family and my mentors make me feel whole and good about myself. I am surrounded by an amazing family and friends who have always supported me.”

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Sam went on to explain that he and his close friends were juniors at high school and they were “band geeks.” They mentored younger band students.

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Sam said, “He felt fortunate to have a close group of friends at school because: o we enjoy each other’s company, o

help each other out,

o we see each other for who we are on the inside.”

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE HAPPINESS RULE # 3 “Have something to look forward to, To strive for, to make life richer.”

-Sam Berns-

 When Sam was asked what would he like to do? He said when he got out of school, he replied that he wanted to go into the field of Biology. Specifically, cell biology, genetics or biochemistry. o Sam felt he was helping to change the world when he filmed the HBO documentary, “Life According to Sam.” o His gave his TEDX talk to help bring awareness to Progeria on October 2013 o It has received over 100 million cross-platform views

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE What is Progeria? How does it affect children?

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE Quick Facts About Progeria

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Is a rare, progressive generic disorder that causes children to age rapidly, starting in their 1st year of life. Progeria is a premature aging disease.

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Progeria affects 1 in 20 million children world-wide. In the U.S., 1 in 200,000 babies are born with Progeria.

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There are treatments that can help manage the condition. But, there are no known cures.

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Progeria usually causes early death. Children with condition only live to their teen years. The average life span is 14 years. A few have lived to age 20.

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Progeria does not affect intelligence or motor development .

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Complications of this condition are: growth delay, short height, premature aging, heart disease, and stroke.

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Amazing People Series: SAM BERNS

SRIE “No matter what I choose to become, I believe I can change the world. And as I am striving to change the world I will be happy.”

-Sam Berns-

Final Thoughts The importance of Joy… Right now, these days there doesn’t seem much to be happy about.

That’s the reason I chose this story to share with you. Even if our life in the present moment is feeling like the back side of a donkey’s behind – life is still precious. There is a saying that life is just a “vale of tears.” I don’t believe that. Is life full of woe? Yes, it is! But, it’s full of joy too. If we intentionally choose to find it. Sam Berns’ young life was a total demonstration of that choice.

Even in the midst of his suffering and pain, goodness and positive change came out of it.

His parents established a foundation for Progeria Research and to help families going through the same ordeals as they were.

Sam Berns was a teenager but he was also an advocate to bring awareness to his condition and positive change for the treatment of it.

This young man’s life inspired me when I read it and saw his speech on TEDX. I hope it does the same for you. Sam chose to find meaning and happiness in the little time he had on Earth.

He is gone now, but you are not dear reader. You have another chance.

Choose your well-being. Choose Joy. Choose happiness.

Until next time….

Rosita 9

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