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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 10, 2005 Michael Salvestrin, 14, an eighth-grader at Shady Cove Middle School, has been chosen as Oregon�s spokesman for the Children�s Miracle Network. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Teen lives above his own struggle Michael Salvestrin ‘has a soft heart and he uses it to touch people’s lives’ By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune Born with crippling spina bifida and raised most of his life in a wheelchair, 14-year-old Michael Salvestrin now embarks on a year as Oregon’s spokesman for the Children’s Miracle Network — a volunteer job that will showcase his struggle as the reason for the public to open checkbooks to help other afflicted kids. "He’s the perfect kid to do it. He just doesn’t let his disability keep him from doing anything," said his language arts teacher, Leslie Welburn, of Shady Cove Middle School. Since he was 5 and had to give up his crutches and braces for a wheelchair, Salvestrin has joined fund-raising telethons locally at KDRV Channel 12. He starts his job as the state’s "Champion of America" next year with trips to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla., to appear on the national telethon and to connect with sponsors such as Wal-Mart, Dairy Queen, ReMax and the CO-OP Network, said Sue Mendenhall, director of Children’s Miracle Network at Rogue Valley Medical Center. "Michael was chosen for his enthusiasm. Anything that interests him, he finds out all about it and tries to use it to make things better," said Mendenhall. "He’s got a soft heart and he uses it to touch people’s lives." Salvestrin enjoys algebra, physical education and language arts at school and is an avid archer and bass guitar player, he said. He spoke recently at a fund-raiser at the ReMax Invitational Golf Tourney at Rogue Valley Country Club, and was off hunting pheasants and geese this weekend. Advertisement Little human touches have meant a lot to Salvestrin. On a school trip to Washington, D.C., he struggled out of his wheelchair to stand with others in a moment of silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. "The guard in command came over and said you didn’t have to stand," said Salvestrin. "He said he didn’t see that very often and it was an honor to shake my hand." Salvestrin wears dog tags "to keep people overseas in my thoughts. My hat goes off to them. They are real heroes." With his own disability and his work as a spokesman and in supporting other challenged children — they may be injured, suffering from cerebral palsy or coping with other ailments — Salvestrin said, "I found wonderful ways to help people who are having a hard time with life and now, if I can help more kids in their recovery, it’s a great opportunity." His youth pastor at Trail Christian Fellowship, Garrett Harrington, said Salvestrin’s impact on peers is the message that, "Even if you can’t do something, don’t give up � and always keep your faith in God." His mother, Carolyn Salvestrin, who will travel with him to the Miracle Network convention in Orlando, said his congenital disability, far from being a handicap, has helped him reach beyond limitations to "educate other people that no matter what is seemingly disabling you, you can go on and be a regular person." She added, "Michael has a great gift, and a fabulous spirit and personality, to make people feel comfortable and accepted." Fred Alexander, his social studies teacher at Shady Cove Middle School, said, "I’ve known Michael since kindergarten and he’s been a real blessing to all of us here over the years. He’s resilient and able to manage a lot of tasks and goals in school and out. The kids respect him as someone who never gives up. He doesn’t have any quit in him." John Darling is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s