Mrs. Baldwin has been the greatest inspiration to me. Two years ago, the Baldwins first came to Beaumont (where we live). During their first year here, Mr. Baldwin, our former Vice Principal, was injured in a car accident due to a drunk driver. His legs were crushed and the doctors said that he would never walk again. But Mrs. Baldwin stuck with her husband and gave him strength and courage to succeed and lo and behold he can walk again! (with a limp). Everyone thought the worst was over.

Then last year Mrs. Baldwin found a lump in her breast and the doctors diagnosed it as breast cancer. When she went back for a checkup on Christmas Day, they could find no traces of cancer in her. It was a miracle! Again, we all thought that worst was over... But now...
Mrs. Baldwin has been diagnosed with lupus, such a cruel disease. Not only does she have lupus, she has Rheumatoid Arthritis which makes her joints swell and makes moving very painful for her. She used to be our P.E coach but now she can't do that anymore because the sun makes her skin flare up due to the lupus. She was the best musician but now she can't do that anymore either because when she plays the guitar, the strings bruise her fingertips and cause great amounts of pain.

She taught me the love for music and I know that if I couldn't play music I'd probably die. I don't know how she has the strength to carry on, except that her belief and love in God has stuck with her through everything. It is a Catholic school where the Baldwins teach and where I attend, and they are very strong in their beliefs. I have never seen such strong faith in anyone. I guess you can never know how much you depend on God until something like this happens to you. I know that no matter what happens, I will forever be grateful for the Baldwins. They have inspired me so much to go for my dreams and they have never laughed at my dreams or said how silly they were but have encouraged me to be me and do what I want to do.

I would just like to ask everyone who reads this to please pray for Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin. Any prayers are greatly appreciated. The amount of pain she goes through each and every day due to the lupus and athritis is so great. I only hope I can be as strong as her when I grow up and keep faith in God like she has. I would love to hear from anyone would please e-mail me about this. I am very concerned and upset.