The power of the Internet

Kyle Coddington

I first discovered it when I took on the Westchester Free Press [sic] over its publishing an interactive map of registered gun owners' addresses - one moron with access to the internet could take on an entity that bought ink by the barrel, at equal odds, but 20-year-old Kyle Coddington's story reaffirmed it. Mocked for his "Nazi haircut" by some comedian, his sister posted a fierce reply, saying that her brother's haircut was an accommodation to his having stage 4 brain cancer, and was not some kind of political statement. 

The coverage of the story that I saw included a link to the "Gofundme.com'" site that his sister had started to help him, so I went there early yesterday morning and saw that while her goal had been $2,500, it was already up to $4,500. I made a contribution and left what I hoped was an encouraging message, but I obviously wasn't the only one to be moved by his plight: when I checked just now, the fund's up to $103,000 and climbing. The comedian, to her credit, has apologized and made her own contribution to the fund and, to be fair, it was obviously not her intention to hurt this child, so that's that, and good has resulted from her unfortunate remarks.

Kyle's sister's response to this tragedy was so close to my daughter Sarah's own that it was difficult to reengage in the identical situation, but I'm glad I did. It also reminded me to thank all those who helped John, again: your contributions made it possible for him to rent a house close to his family and friends, and stay independent for the rest of his life (with the help of his indefatigable sister), which was so important to that proud boy. So, thank you, again. And pray for Kyle.