TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — “I’m very, very thankful for everything Emma’s done,” Mrs. Bridgett Lawyer, a teacher at North Daviess Elementary, said while touching the black and pink ‘survivor’ bracelet on her wrist.
Mrs. Lawyer teaches 5th-grade science.
She was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2023.
“It was the triple-negative breast cancer,” Lawyer said. “So, kind of one of the worst ones. But it was found very early, and treatments should take care of everything,” she added.
“I heard about how she got cancer,” Emma Self, a student of Mrs. Lawyers said. “I felt really bad ’cause she’s a really good teacher, and she does a lot of good stuff for her students,” she added.
Mrs. Lawyer began treatments in October. That meant traveling to the cancer center in Indianapolis, followed by radiology in Bloomington. Then came the mounting medical bills and more travel expenses.
During those treatments, Emma decided she wanted to help.
“I just thought, maybe I should do something back to her because she’s done so much stuff,” Emma said.
So, Emma went to work, selling bracelets, all for the benefit of her teacher.
“Emma worked really hard at it,” Lawyer said. “As soon as she’d get off the bus, she would take her bracelets, run to the lobby, and meet Mrs. Kidwell.”
Mrs. Lawyer said Mrs. Kidwell, the school counselor, was the ‘adult in charge.’
“We made over $3,000,” Emma said. “I just hoped that she (Mrs. Lawyer) would be happy about it. And use it for most of her treatment money and stuff.”
Mrs. Lawyer said she’s thankful for the support she’s received from the students and staff at North Daviess Elementary. Especially Emma.
“All the work she put into it and the idea and the thought and care to think of someone else and to think of their needs,” Lawyer said thinking about Emma and the act of kindness.
Emma said she’s also learned a lot from the experience, something she will always carry with her.
“Put others before yourself. It doesn’t have to be big or small; whatever helps.”
