Copyright 2004 The Florida Times-Union  
Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL)
January 7, 2004 Wednesday, Community Edition
SECTION: COUNTY LINE; Pg. M-1
LENGTH: 907 words
BYLINE: Mary Maraghy, County Line staff writer

About 18 months ago, Tynes Elementary School Principal Sharon Chapman held a tea party at her Orange Park home as part of a school fund-raiser.

Most who attended were female students from Tynes.

'I was the ONLY boy,' recalled Jason Metcalfe, a lanky 11-year-old freckled redhead, rolling his blue eyes.

But just as tea was about to be served, another male joined the festivities. Jason was delighted.

'I was relieved that I didn't have to talk to a bunch of girls,' Jason said.

The other male was the principal's husband, George Chapman. The two became friends and talked often at school functions. Jason made Chapman a space ship from Legos.

'He got attached to Mr. Chapman. I can't explain it,' said Jason's mother, Carmen Metcalfe, who is president of Tynes' parent-faculty association. 'They just hit it off.'

About a year later, Jason saw George Chapman at Tynes in a wheelchair. His mother told him that Chapman had ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neurodegenerative disease that progressively paralyzes a person. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

'I said to her, 'Can doctors make him better?' ' Jason said. 'She said no. I thought that was pretty bad. I have a problem with the muscles in my hands, which makes it hard for me to write. I know what it's like to have trouble writing. I can't imagine how frustrating it would be to have trouble with all of my muscles.'

Jason goes to occupational therapy once a week at Tynes for his hands, a condition called dysgraphia that he was born with. As a result, he has struggled in school and is repeating fourth grade this year.

'I hated school,' Jason said.

But after learning about Chapman, Jason said he found a new motivation to work hard because he decided he wants to someday become a research scientist and search for a cure for ALS. He's gone from C's and D's to straight A's.

'He's done a 180 at school,' his mother said. 'This has motivated him to improve his grades. We're thankful to Mr. Chapman.'

Carmen Metcalfe said she's not sure if school officials realize that Chapman was the reason for Jason's turnaround.

Jason researches ALS on the Internet and stays in touch with George Chapman via e-mail at least twice a week.

Jason pronounces 'amyotrophic lateral sclerosis' almost perfectly. He knows it is an incurable disease that interferes with brain signals to muscles and slowly kills all mobility. He also knows that because it is rare it doesn't get much attention or research funding.

Jason has been reading a book called 101 Cool Ways to Make Money to find ways to raise money for ALS research.

'He knows he can't make the ALS go way. And he's a long way from becoming a research scientist; this empowers him to know he's doing something,' Carmen Metcalfe said.

Jason pooled his tooth fairy money and his allowance to buy candy to sell in order to raise money for the ALS Association. He sells it to students after school. Also, in the teacher's lounge, he set up a box of candy and a money jar with a typed explanation taped to it.

So far, he has raised more than $ 130. His goal is $ 500. Recently, he was given permission to sell candy outside the Publix supermarket in Fleming Island.

George Chapman describes Jason as a good friend and very special young man: 'As Jason became aware of ALS and how it destroys the body, he began reading about the disease and wanted to do more. How many adults would be such committed and willing volunteers?'

Greg Stuart, vice president of resource development for the national ALS Association, wrote Jason a letter commending his efforts.

'When I received your letter and the donations you have raised, I was touched by your story,' Stuart wrote. 'I am in awe of a fourth-grader, who upon meeting a person with ALS, decided that his goal in life is to become a research scientist, then turns his below-average grades into straight A's. Congratulations, Jason, just on this feat alone. But you didn't stop there. You went out and developed a way to raise funds to honor Mr. Chapman. You are a gifted young man who is involved with an unusual effort.'

Meanwhile, Jason wrote an essay on his future career for his English class about his goal to research ALS. His teacher was so moved that she sent him to Sharon Chapman's office and told him to read it aloud to her.

'She was crying after I read it,' Jason said with a shy shrug.

Chapman was an architect who enjoyed hiking and water sports with his family. But a few years ago his muscles mysteriously weakened. Today, he is wheelchair-bound and uses a mechanical ventilator to breathe. Though paralysis is enveloping his body, he spends hours at his computer, researching information, technology and gadgets to help others with the disease.

The Orange Park man was selected as First Coast News' 12 Who Care recipient for October.

Carmen Metcalfe said George Chapman has been a role model for her son.

'Just seeing how Mr. Chapman has handled his disease and been willing to help others,' she said. 'He's been a good example.'

HOW TO HELP

Checks payable to the ALS Association may be sent to Jason Metcalfe at 1150 Silver Spur, Middleburg, FL 32068.