Oct 1, 2025
Sometimes, you meet a person whose spirit is so vast, so unyielding, that the problems of the world simply shrink in their presence. That person is Christopher. We met Christopher and his incredible mother, Emily, nearly five years ago through an online friends’ group. That first connection didn’t just cement a bond; it ignited a lifelong friendship and showed us the true power of a shared, boundless spirit. Christopher is a rare soul, a young man who doesn’t just face his limitations—he ignores them entirely. His curiosity is a force of nature, rivaled only by the most ambitious and daring of six-year-olds. Three years ago, we invited Emily and Christopher, then a vibrant three-year-old, to join us at a FIRST® Robotics Competition.
We couldn't have known the depth of the spark that day would ignite. The moment he grasped a FIRST® Tech Challenge remote, his face broke into a smile that radiated pure, unadulterated focus. That one moment was a visible switch: a lifelong thirst for knowledge had taken hold. He left that day with a clear, audacious vision, telling Emily: he wanted to be a robot doctor who worked on robots in space. Now, fast forward three years. Christopher is the youngest competitive member of a V.E.X.® robotics team, operating with a joyous competence that defies every challenge he faces. And Emily? She is now a vital part of our team at Teach Remember Communicate Grow (TRCG), helping us establish our goal: opening the world of STEAM to everyone, regardless of physical, social, or economic barriers. To witness the profound impact STEAM has had on their lives—and to know that TRCG played even a small role—is deeply humbling and inspiring.
Christopher is more than an example; he is a living lesson. He shows us how to enjoy life to its fullest, not just in spite of our limitations, but by finding joy in them, recognizing that every challenge is an integral part of who we are. It’s a powerful truth he practices every single day, while the rest of us are still learning to preach it.