New Canaan resident Christopher Dunleavy, an eighth-grader at Saint Mary School in Ridgefield, is not your typical teenager. While he enjoys babysitting, playing basketball, and engaging in video games with friends, it's his compassionate initiative that truly sets him apart. Shown here is Christopher with fellow New Cannanite Carter in front of The Toy Chest in New Canaan, just one of the outings this duo embarks upon!
As part of his Saint Mary School Capstone Project—a year-long program that encourages students to pursue meaningful, self-directed learning—Christopher has dedicated himself to making a meaningful difference in the life of his neighbor, Carter, who lives with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. Understanding the challenges Carter faces, Christopher embarked on a mission to ensure his friend feels included and valued. "Everyone is a child of God, and everyone deserves to have a great life," Christopher explains. His goal is to be a consistent companion to Carter, engaging him in activities and fostering a sense of belonging.
Here, we sit down with Christopher to find out more about his time with Carter and to learn about what’s at the heart of this special friendship.
Can you share one of your favorite memories or moments from your time spent with Carter?
My favorite memory is when Carter's mom was explaining something to him, and he just rolled his eyes because he had to pause the video game. Carter has one of the best eye rolls ever!
How has your perspective on helping others changed since you started spending time with Carter?
My perspective on helping others has changed a lot since I first started to babysit Carter. I realized that you get an amazing feeling when you help out kids like him, and just everyone in general.
What do you hope others take away from your project and the way you’ve supported Carter?
I hope that people are moved by this, and I hope that people can cherish every moment they have with their friends. I also hope people can try to go out of their way to help people like Carter.
Thank you to Christopher for sharing this story of love, friendship and compassion. You are living Mother Teresa’s message: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”