Kids Rally For Teacher With Rare Illnesses

Penny Campaign To Help Pay Medical Bills Of 33-Year-Old Montana Man

(AP)  Students at the Cascade School - an elementary school just south of Great Falls, Montana - have opened their hearts and piggy banks to an art teacher who can only whisper their praises.

At 33, Stormy Schwindt suffers a disabling combination of autoimmune disorders, including vitiligo, which is draining pigment from his skin and eyes, and spondylitis, which turns cartilage to bone.

Penny by penny and dollar by dollar, his students are digging deep to help him. After the first three days of the "penny war," the tally was $800.

Unable to speak above a whisper, Schwindt uses a microphone and speakers to make him heard in the classroom. He wears sunglasses even indoors to shield his eyes from the light. His muscles are affected too, although he tries to keep fit. He shuns medications and works through the pain.

Concerned co-workers at the school and his admiring friends did what he calls "an intervention." They put out a call for help.

"This community is amazing for its generosity," said Principal Dave Malloy.

Schwindt left on Saturday for the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Cascade residents offered frequent flyer miles to help him get there, Malloy said.

Schwindt has been seeking treatment in Great Falls for the conditions that medical professionals figure were caused by trauma or sickness as a child.

"Life happens." That's his explanation.

"I don't know what the doctors will do for me. It's going to be a doozy," he said Friday.

The autoimmune problems began about five years ago. This fall, when it appeared that Schwindt's health was worsening, his co-workers started talking about how to help. Malloy said he suggested the "penny war."

The competition pits classrooms against each other to see which room brings in the most pennies, Malloy said. As the competition heats up, students bring in other coins and bills to sabotage rival classrooms, he said.

If they put a dollar bill in another classroom's collection, it subtracts 100 cents from their total. At the same time, it adds another dollar to the total amount raised.

"I announce each classroom's total at the end of the day, and even the little kids form their strategies to sabotage whoever is ahead. They're loving it," Malloy said. The war will continue through Friday, at least.

Schwindt's older brother, Ron Cozzens, accompanied him to the Arizona clinic. Cozzens broke his neck last summer, and Schwindt brought him from Marysville, Wash., to his home in Cascade to take care of him.

"I didn't realize it at the time, but I went downhill while I was taking care of him. Now, he's helping me," Schwindt said. The arrangement allows his wife, Darcy, who teaches special education in Cascade, to stay at home, work and maintain a "normal life" for their preschool and second-grade daughters.

In addition to teaching art, Schwindt teaches dance, computer Web site design and graphic design. He supervises lunch-hour detention and after-school study hall. He also sells his art.

"The students are my heroes," he said. They behave, so that he can do his job.

He varies the art classes: he recently taught older students how to make spurs.

"I'm part of a school that seems to make the best of everything," he said. "People make it the best setting for children to learn."

A native of Bridger, Montana, Schwindt attended University of Montana-Western to learn how to be a teacher. "That's all I ever wanted to do," he said.

Even on days that his body isn't moving very well, he goes to work. "My students, especially the little ones, might miss me. So I keep going. I'm a teacher. That's my job."

A reward comes in the middle of the workday when he peeks into the lunchroom and sees his daughter.

"You can't put a pricetag on that," he said.

[dschwindt2]

To everyone who has logged onto this site--Your prayers and concerns are truly appreciated. Stormy is truly amazed that he has so many people supporting him through this difficult time. His classroom students, co-workers, parents, community, and friends have truly shown their love and respect. Please know that your contributions are appreciated, but more than anything, the acknowledgement to the students for their efforts for him would truly be the best reward he could ever receive. I would like to say publicly--To all the students, staff, community members, parents, and people who have chosen to help without even knowing Stormy--Thank you. Especially to those who stepped in to help me in getting Stormy to a place he can get the best help and assistance. I hope he will return home to his classroom soon, and will be doing what he loves--teaching art and dance to our future generations. To everyone--Thank you. Darcy schwindt

[gordygordon]

I am a senior student of Mr. Schwindt, and consider myself a friend. Mr. Schwindt not only has given me great motivation in school, but in many other things as well. No one deserves this help more than him. It's nice to see that someone like him gets these signs of appreciation for what he has done within the community and highschool.
Good luck Mr. Schwindt!

(note: Cascade High School is actually a k-12 school, not an elementary school)

[viking12101]

Thank you CBS for posting this story on your website! As a Cascade resident and parent of four of Mr. Schwindt%u2019s students, I know that Stormy deserves all the support, encouragement, and recognition that the world can give him! He is a fabulous teacher %u2013 I wish everyone could see the artwork that his students produce and watch his dance kids entertain an audience. It is simply amazing to see what he can draw out of these kids! He gets them to work hard, they have fun, and at the end of each project they have so much to be proud of.

Another remarkable thing about Stormy is his care and concern for each and every child. Three years ago when I was away at Fort Carson with my Army Reserve unit, my son started Kindergarten and was distressed over everything, especially art class. Stormy spent extra time with my son after school, he called me and kept me in the loop, he gave my son extra attention in the hallways and the lunch room and that made all the difference in the world %u2013 both to me and my son!

We, as a nation, should discuss the effectiveness and affordability of our health care system, but right now, let%u2019s take this opportunity to be very proud of our education system that enables wonderful people like Stormy to teach while encouraging our youth to become caring, compassionate, and generous citizens. Thank you CBS and thanks to everyone who donates to Stormy %u2013 he is truly deserving of your generosity!

[christie52]

We are with you guys -following and praying for all of you!! We pray that Stormy will run into a miracle doctor that can help him!! Our hearts are with you through it all. We love you guys,The Christies (tell Stormy- Kera misses him and prays for him!!)

[linfinster]

Can't say I like the part where they encourage kids to sabotage anothers efforts. Maybe I am over reacting, but it just doesn't seem morally right. I will, however donate some cash and request that they break it down into pennies (if there are any left in that part of the town) and donate it for me. Thanks Boisselle for getting that info!
It is sad to see just how bad our health system is. But very heartwarming to see the support from people who have nothing to gain, open thier hearts.

[boisselle1]

Like everyone else, I feel the need to help.
Cascade Elementry gave me the following info to donate.

STOCKMENS BANK
PO BOX 345
CASCADE, MT 59421
ATTN: STORMY SCHWINDT BENIFIT ACCOUNT

I hope everyone that reads this will send at lease a penny.

[telescopium]

I agree they should start a fund, and give an address. I would help with a bit if I could. Also I think I have heard you can set up a charity that lets people donate flyer miles. I am sure a lot of people would love to donate those, espically if they are going to expire anyways.

[sciselia]

this may be the most heart wrenching story off a couragous man i have ever heard...
i wish they would have givenan adress i could send money....for i would do so...i love the arts...although i am but an amature writter...and im going to school for culinary..but this man should should be an insperation to us all...
my heart goes out to this man...
and any man that is this loveing of his job and his life and his family should get help from ALL OVER....

goodluck sir,
Sci

[stezzer]

I agree with mjv2944. I'm British and this story has made me appreciate our National Health Service a little more.

The thought of all those little kids trying to help their teacher is very moving.

I hope the Doctors can help Mr Schwindt, and he feels a lot better soon.

[mjv2944]

Its too bad that this young man who possesses great courage and respect cannot be helped that the gov. or private insurance cos. It says a lot about our health care system, its the best in the world, if you can afford it.