A Recipe To Heal A Heavy Heart

CBS Evening News: Doctor Prescribes Unusual Treatment To 11-Year-Old Dealing With Grief

(CBS)  When 11-year-old Aaron Ware showed signs of depression a few months ago - his pediatrician prescribed something extremely unusual. After talking with the boy, Dr. Marilyn Corder came up with a treatment plan that was either pure genius or malpractice.

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reported Corder’s prescription was, basically, make a batch of cookies - and call her in the morning.

"And that's exactly what I did,” Aaron said. "I baked some cookies and I brought them back to her office to see how she liked them."

As Corder put it, "the rest is history."

Fortunately for Dr. Corder, it turned out to be pure genius.

"Sometimes it takes more than a prescription," Corder explained.

Aaron's story actually began on his birthday - their birthday. Aaron and his identical twin Eric were sons number two and three for Angela and Jeff Ware. Growing up outside D.C., the twins reveled in each other's company.

"He could find something good about any situation,” Aaron said. "He'd just totally lift your spirits."

And that's why, when his brother died two years ago from brain cancer, Aaron was at a total loss.

"For awhile he thought he would come back,” said Angela Ware. “He'd write notes to him and the next morning he'd see if Eric had wrote back. You can't explain that to a child."

And Angela says time didn't help either.


"He seemed to be getting more and more depressed," she said.

So last fall Angela made an appointment with his pediatrician. And it was during that exam that Dr. Corder noticed something. When she asked him what he likes to do - a smile crept onto Aaron's face.

"Bake,” he said.

"Well then, you know what, that's what we're going to do," Corder told Aaron.

Her prescription was very specific: Start a baking company. Come up with a name for the company. Write a business plan.

"And she reached in her pocket and handed him $20 and said, 'I'm going to be your first investor. You report back to me and we'll see how it goes,'” Angela said. "He loved it. I hadn't seen him smile like that in months."

"It gave me something to do," Aaron said. "We did everything together and so having nothing to do is like not living. So I started baking and I just loved it."

His company is called Doughjangles. Aaron has one employee: his older brother Bryce who works for $2 a day - that’s it.

"He won't let me eat any cookies until there's a profit, Bryce said."

They sell mostly to friends and family - donating half of all proceeds to the children's charities that helped Eric. Of course, Aaron still wishes he could talk to his twin, but at least now he has a pretty good idea of what Eric might say.

"He wouldn't want me to just be sitting on my bed watching TV trying to forget,” Aaron said. "He would want me to do something that I love."

[diannett]

NancyLou9, way to get something out of the story. Let's knock the people who were actually moved by this story and wanted to voice that.

[steinhicemathews]

NancyLou9, when someone is eagerly waiting for something, it is with BATED breath, not BAITED. Please please please, be precise with words -- the English language is dying fast enough as it is...

[NancyLou9]

Why do people post on this site as though they are writing the person? Do you guys really believe Ben Stein and this child are reading the posts here with baited breath?

[twinless]

Hi Aaron, loved your story, I am so happy you found something to help you through the loss of your twin! I lost my twin sister almost two years ago and I truly understand how your birthday is hard to go through! My twin had cerebral palsy and used a wheelchair, she often had to be gone for long periods of time for surgery in another town! When we were very small, I got very sick while my twin was in the hospital and I had not seen her for a long time, I also had a wonderful doctor who knew exactly what I needed at the time, he said I was mourning my sister and told my parents they needed to take me to see her as soon as possible! Guess what? I was instantly healed of my illness! I know that I can no longer go to see her when I am feeling down, but your story has given me hope for a different kind of healing, doing something I really love! Just remember your twin will always be a part of you and nothing can take that away! I will be praying for you! Would love to taste one of your cookies!

[emmyandpea]

Arron, what a fantastic young man you are! I loved the fact that you have followed your Doctor's orders and began to bake cookies, come up with a company name and write a business plan. I have been baking since I was about your age. I turned it into my profession-I teach cooking and baking, but still love to bake in my free time! I would love to be able to meet you so we can bake together! That would be awesome!

[captlegs]

Dear Aaron,

I know first hand how difficult it can be to deal with the loss of your beloved win (I lost my twin brother in 1991 - we are both pilots). By all appearances, you seem to be making a very commendable adjustment. You do great honor to your beloved twin Eric. I will second the suggestion to get involved with the Twinless Twins organization. As a long time member and counselor, it will do you a world of good. I know its not easy to stay positive but you seem to be doing a teriffic job. Keep your chin up and whatever you do in life, know that your twin's spirit is rooting for you to be the best you can. I hope we can meet soon. Twincerely, Bob Y

[jenrob822]

I STRONGLY agree with the recommendation from "adriftatsea" that Aaron's family should consider contacting twinlesstwins.org. Speaking as another person who has lost their twin, I can vouch for the fact that there is no comfort like finding a group of people who know exactly how this feels because they, too, have all been there. No one else quite gets it, even parents, other siblings, or therapists. Also, the organization has regional meetings, and the next one for the mid-Atlantic group will be in Frederick, MD on March 21st.

[Ellen Levy]

How is it that a child's doctor is given national attention for something that occupational therapists were doing for years? At least they were until funding for psychiatric occupational therapy services have been cut to nothing. You might want to do a story on that - how funding (by insurance companies, medicare and medicaid) have been cut so there are very few occupational therapists practicing in psychiatric settings. And, our fees are a whole lot less than physician's.

Ellen Levy, OTR/L

Great story. There are alot of us who didn't or weren't properly instructed on how to deal with grief. Unfortunately, I was given drugs and told it will make me feel better. After 28 yrs. of dealing with every emotion with a drink or a drug my life was affected in ways I choose to not to talk about in this platform. Today, thanks to a fear of God and understanding the power of consequences I choose to live differently. By the way, I sent Aaron an emai. Thanks again. Jim

Hello Arron,

First, as I tell my 10 year old, "if you receive a email you are not sure about share it with your parents".

Arron, I want you to continue to share and turn thoughts that may get you down into a positive just as you are doing. Trust me, I knew what you were going through when Eric passed. When I lost my dad at 16 I was so confused and sad I didn't know what to do. See, I never thought I would lose my dad. There were no other men in my family. I had 4 older sisters. So, immediately I began to thiink that I was on my own. And, like you, I just wanted to wake up one morning and open my parents bedroom door and see him. But it wasn't happening.

Well Aaron, I am going to contact Dr. Corder and thank her for the advice she gave you. And, most importantly, thank you for listening. Today, after 28 years of struggling I am finally beginning to trust again and listen to people especially my mom who is now 83. God, has given me some gifts and one of them is to communicate. It seems you have that gift too. Believe me, I recognize it. But, remember those gifts are not just for our benefit. I have a 10 year son, Bach, whom I have an obligation to be the best father I can be to. Just as you have an obligatin to be the best son, brother and inspiration to others you can be.

Take care Aaron and keep up the good attitude. By the way, I love to cook never really got into baking. Add me to your email list whether it's for a talk or letting me know about the progress of your business. My profession: Sales and marketing.

Take Care.
Jim Clifton

[diamondgirl71]

I love this story. As someone who believes strongly in the power of love, faith and inner stregth to heal. Also as someone that herself has needed to rely on this type of healing and not just meds. It is a daily struggle to have such a emotional state but I am over coming everyday with this process mostly due to Arron's Dr. script for a game plan that fills that need. I have been living this concept fo rthree years now. Also I teach people to do the same. Arron's therpay is something he is going to use for the rest of his life. And as I go through my season I realize that if we could apply this concept to our lives when we don't need it maybe in some case will never will.

[ladyfromthesouth]

Check out some of the earlier posts for contact info. The CBSSM was at least a second run for the story (which was fantastic). What a great story. What a great kid. Let's rally for him and support his business and his favorite organizations. I'm going to this morning.

[boopster123]

Aaron you are an inspiration. I am so proud of you for channeling your heartbreak into a positive direction. You are on the right path to becoming a fine young man and gentleman...it's just what our country could use...We need good men like you!
Aaron, my brother was recently diagnosed with cancer and I am heartbroken. I dont know how long he has on this earth, but I intend to celebrate everyday that he is with me. His favorite thing in life is chocolate chip cookies. Should you start a website, I would LOVE to be your first customer. You deserve all the best. Pat yourself on the back for being a stand-up man. Will say some prayers tonight for you and your brother. Cyber hugs to you, my dear and blessings as you continue your journey in life.
Your parents must be so proud. Kudos to your Mom & Dad for their outstanding job as parents.

[new_york_mom]

Just watched Arron's story this Sunday morning and it was very touching. Arron your an inspiration for so many people - young and old. Your twin would be very proud of you. Need to get a website up!

Best of luck to you in your new career in food for the soul.

[jonicosner]

I am so inspired! Aaron, I am sure your entire family, including Eric, are so very proud of you. Your parents are so blessed to have your and your brother in their lives. I am a mother of four; with my youngest being fraternal twins and I know that they would be lost without each other, just as you felt. You are brave to have reached so deep in your heart to pull out the good and move forward.
I would love to buy some of your cookies, or dough (whatever is easiest for you and your family). Keep up the good work & share a little more with Bryce. : ) I know we will all be seeing more of you in the cookie future.

[OTKim]

"What this doctor recommended is exactly the work of an Occupational therapist. When Aaron's twin brother passed away his participation in everyday life was disrupted. By encouraging Aaron to engage in an activity that he previously enjoyed and build new routines around it ( starting a baking company) he was able to have meaningful engagement in everyday life. Occupational therapists are trained to support people (of any age) to engage in meaningful participation when it has been disrupted for any reason. I would encourage this doctor to consider referring children to an occupational therapist in situations such as Aaron's."

I couldn't agree more, and logged in to email the show about this exact same thing! Understanding the health-producing benefits of engagement in meaningful, productive daily life activities is the very heart of what we do as Occupational Therapists!

[tgl501]

Wow, Such a touching story. Aaron needs a website so we can buy his cookies. I loved it. Very heartwarming. And how lucky he is to have such an insightful Dr.

[RGValleyGal]

What a touching story! Nice to hear about such worthwhile deeds being done instead of hearing about war, gangs, drug cartel, etc. I always said that even though we need to know what is going on around us at all times, I think that one day a month should be dedicated to printing only the good stuff, such as this story! And that goes for television, also!!

I believe that an email to the person who wrote the article would be a place to start if you want to donate or make contact with this youngster. They are the ones covering the story and should have first-hand info where their subjects are!

Good luck to this sweetheart of a child and to you .. hope that you find the link for donations. I will watch the site for your search results.

[AaronsMom317]

I am so glad that the segment touched so many people. Aaron asks that if you would like to contribute, please consider contributing in Eric's memory to those organizations that helped us through his illness:

Casey Cares
Special Love for Children With Cancer
Make-a-Wish of Mid-Atlantic (midatlantic.wish.org)
Give Kids the World
Carol Jean Cancer Foundation

Aaron can be reached at: P.O. Box 146, Lexington Park, MD 20653

[AaronsCousin]

Aaron's company's e-mail address is [e-mail] ... thanks for supporting him!

[Decope10]

I would like to contact Aaron and buy some cookies and donate money. I hope he can get his website soon.