Willie has suffered from cerebral palsy his entire life. When he was young he was challenged with being accepted by other children as their equal because they either didn’t understand his disability or were afraid he would get hurt playing with them. He learned to cope, mostly by showing them in many ways he was their equal on the playground.
Barry Kienzle is an award-winning author who has written two historical fiction novels, The Crossings, and The Indian, and who also worked with Willie and Brenda Burton on their memoir, Heart of a Lion. He decided to venture into writing this children’s book based on the stories Willie told him about the difficulties handicapped children have being accepted by other children even on the playground. You can learn more about Barry and his writings by visiting www.barrykbooks.com.
Willie Burton is a cerebral palsy survivor. He became well-known nationally when he wrestled for four years at Fairdale High School near Louisville, Kentucky. He lost every match but one, which he won on Senior Night. His story was told by ESPN when they produced an E:60 documentary, WILLPower, broadcasted nationally. He and his mother, Brenda, also told their story in their memoir, Heart of a Lion—Our Journey of Faith and Courage, written with Barry Kienzle. Visit www.willieburton-ky.com for more information on Willie’s life.
Barry Kienzle ILLUSTRATED BY
Devika Joglekar
Willie—A Super Friend! by Barry Kienzle illustrated by Devika Joglekar copyright ©2021 Barry Kienzle All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556495
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020949547
PR I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A
This book is dedicated to all children who have struggled for acceptance and companionship by their playmates due to their physical challenges.
“They are like the angels, they are God’s children.” Luke 20:36
“Mom, can I go outside and play with the other kids? They’re having fun.” “I don’t know, Honey, they look like they’re playing rough. You might get hurt.”
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“I won’t get hurt, I know I won’t,” Willie pleads. “Okay,” she replies. “But be careful.”
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“Hi, guys. What are your names? I’m Willie.” “What’s wrong with you?” they ask. “Why are you in that thing?” “My legs don’t work so good, but I can still play with you,” Willie replies.
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“You can’t play with us!” they shout. “You’ll get hurt.”
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“Mom, let me in.” “What’s wrong, Willie? I thought you wanted to play with the kids?”
“I do, Mom, but they won’t let me. They say I’ll get hurt. They’re mean!” he cries. 11
“Willie, you have to realize you’re different from other kids. You were born with Cerebral Palsy so you can’t run and play like them. They just don’t know how to play with you. But you have something they don’t. You know how to make friends with everyone.”
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The next morning when Willie got up he said, “Mom, I’ve got a great idea. I’ll go to the playground and play with Jacob. He’s like me in a wheelchair.” “That sounds like fun. I’ll pack some cookies for us to take,” she said nodding. “Let’s go!” 13
Willie puts on his super-hero cape, mask, and dark glasses and rolls to the playground. “Hey, Jacob, let’s play dodgeball,” Willie said, throwing a ball at Jacob. The other kids at the playground stare at them, surprised.
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“Hey, Jacob, there’s Noah. Let’s play basketball.” “Good shot, Willie. Your turn, Noah.”
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A girl named Sarah, with a cast on her arm arrives. “Who is that kid with the cape and mask?” one asks. “Hey, Jacob, hey, Noah, hey Sarah, I’ll bet you can’t catch me,” Willie shouts as he darts away in his wheelchair with all of them chasing behind.
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“Willie, you’re too fast! We’ll never catch you!” “How’s he move that fast?” the other kids wonder.
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“Hey, you guys, can we play?” the other kids ask. “You look like you’re having fun.” “Sure,” Willie smiles, as he whips off his mask and glasses, “as long as everybody gets to play, and you all don’t get hurt,” he said, laughing .
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“We’re sorry we wouldn’t let you play with us yesterday, Willie. We were afraid you’d get hurt. We were wrong. We didn’t know you have special powers!” they said with excitement.
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They all join in running and playing and having lots of fun together.
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“Hey, guys, I’m tired. Let’s go have a cookie and drink before I go home,” Willie shouts.
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“These are my new friends, Mom. I showed them how to play with me without any of them getting hurt, too,” he said, grinning. “Great. We’ve got cookies and drinks for everyone,” she said.
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“Willie, you’re great! Be sure to come back tomorrow. You’re the best playmate anyone could ever have!” “We’re all the same. I’m just a kid like you! I like to have fun, too!” Willie exclaims. “I’ll be your friend forever if you’ll be mine!”
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Willie has suffered from cerebral palsy his entire life. When he was young he was challenged with being accepted by other children as their equal because they either didn’t understand his disability or were afraid he would get hurt playing with them. He learned to cope, mostly by showing them in many ways he was their equal on the playground.
Barry Kienzle is an award-winning author who has written two historical fiction novels, The Crossings, and The Indian, and who also worked with Willie and Brenda Burton on their memoir, Heart of a Lion. He decided to venture into writing this children’s book based on the stories Willie told him about the difficulties handicapped children have being accepted by other children even on the playground. You can learn more about Barry and his writings by visiting www.barrykbooks.com.
Willie Burton is a cerebral palsy survivor. He became well-known nationally when he wrestled for four years at Fairdale High School near Louisville, Kentucky. He lost every match but one, which he won on Senior Night. His story was told by ESPN when they produced an E:60 documentary, WILLPower, broadcasted nationally. He and his mother, Brenda, also told their story in their memoir, Heart of a Lion—Our Journey of Faith and Courage, written with Barry Kienzle. Visit www.willieburton-ky.com for more information on Willie’s life.