Celebration of life for Iary Bear
Donation protected
My name is Allison Meyer and for the past month I have had the immense privilege of being Iara (pronounced "Yadi") Eger Arnedo's kindergarten teacher at Fairfield Central Elementary School. Iara came to me at the beginning of October having never been in a school setting before. Little did I know that day, when she walked through my classroom door, what an incredible gift I had just been given. Iara was starting school a little bit later than the rest of her classmates as she had been struggling with seizures. Iary had experienced a number of seizures in her lifetime that had begun around the age of 2. Her seizures had been declining in duration and frequency, and Iary's parents were hopeful they were coming to an end. They felt her increased health and strength meant she was ready to begin school. This decision proved to be the best one they could have made for Iary, as school quickly became her second home.
Iara was completely nonverbal and unable to speak to myself or her classmates. Although this was initally a challenging experience for us all, we quickly came to realize that Iara had her own special ways of communicating with us; whether it be a wave of her hand to say, "Good Morning," a nuzzle on the arm to say, "I love you," or the blow of a kiss and a "MWAH" to say, "Good-bye." In addition to her inability to speak, Iara was faced with many other hurdles in life. Iara had poor eye sight as well as poor motor control. She was unable to write or cut, which made it very difficult for her to complete many of the kindergarten activities we did in class. But where Iary lacked in ability, she made up for in personality. Iary truly radiated happiness. She wore a permanent smile on her face and found joy in every little facet of life. There was never a dark cloud in her sky, and should there ever be a dark cloud in yours, she was sure to shoo it away. She was full of love and always eager to share it with everyone.
I will never forget her second day of school, and the moment of pure love and community she created within my classroom. Iary was sitting on the carpet during our language arts time when she leaned over to the little girl next to her and gave her a hug. Initially, the little girl was taken aback by this unexpected showing of kindness. After a moment of astonishment, the little girl hugged Iary back. Iary's face immediately beamed with happiness and she grabbed my attention to show me the friend she had just made. The little girl on the opposite side of Iary, after witnessing this moment, then followed up with another hug for Iary. One by one, every single child in my classroom lined up to give Iary a hug. I have never been in more awe or felt more adoration towards a group of 5 and 6 year olds in my life. What a showing of love and community that was expressed that day; and every day thereafter, because that is what Iary created wherever she went: a community of compassion.
Whenever Iary struggled with any activity, she had 4 or 5 students clamoring to help her. Everyone wanted to be Iary's buddy. Everyone wanted to help. If she couldn't get something cut out, someone cut it out for her. If she couldn't get her jacket on the hook, someone was right there with arms outstretched to help her. Whenever students were given the opportunity to choose partners, never did Iary have to worry about not finding one. She was adored and loved by every child in my classroom, which, to anyone who knew her, came as no surprise, as she was so easy to love.
Although Iary's struggles were great, she was never deterred. She came into school with an eager excitement to learn every single day. She never backed down from a challenge, and because of this I saw her grow in leaps and bounds in the short period of time she was with me. She quickly learned how to properly hold a pencil, how to correctly use scissors and cut on the lines, how to count and match objects, and how to independently take care of herself in a classroom of 20. She surprised me on a daily basis with new things she had learned and could do. Despite her inability to speak, her intelligence and ingenuity shone through. I was watching this beautiful little girl break through all of the walls and obstacles in her path to grow and succeed.
Unfortunately, her path was cut short. On Monday, November 2, Iary passed away while taking a nap. The reason as to why this beautiful and unique little girl was taken from us so early is still unknown. Words cannot express the sadness and pain that her family, friends, and classmates are feeling. When I sat down to discuss her passing with her classmates today, the first thing that was said was, "Why?" I told them I don't know, and we may never know, but that we must try to remember all of the things we loved best about Iary. One of her classmates then began smiling and said, "Iary loved hugs." For this to be the first memory her classmates had of her speaks volumes to her bright and generous spirit.
There are many things we plan on doing as a classroom and a community to help support Iara's family during this difficult time. One of them is to raise money to assist in paying for Iara's funeral costs and hospital bills. The average cost of a funeral is between $8,000-$10,000. In addition to these costs, Iara's parents have hospital bills to pay as well. We don't want them to have to worry about this financial burden while they grieve over the loss of their daughter. Anything and everything helps, so please donate what you can as well as share her fund so that others may be touched by Iary's life and donate as well.
In true Iary fashion, we will not say "Good-bye." Instead, we will all blow our kisses towards the sky and say, "MWAH!"
Iara was completely nonverbal and unable to speak to myself or her classmates. Although this was initally a challenging experience for us all, we quickly came to realize that Iara had her own special ways of communicating with us; whether it be a wave of her hand to say, "Good Morning," a nuzzle on the arm to say, "I love you," or the blow of a kiss and a "MWAH" to say, "Good-bye." In addition to her inability to speak, Iara was faced with many other hurdles in life. Iara had poor eye sight as well as poor motor control. She was unable to write or cut, which made it very difficult for her to complete many of the kindergarten activities we did in class. But where Iary lacked in ability, she made up for in personality. Iary truly radiated happiness. She wore a permanent smile on her face and found joy in every little facet of life. There was never a dark cloud in her sky, and should there ever be a dark cloud in yours, she was sure to shoo it away. She was full of love and always eager to share it with everyone.
I will never forget her second day of school, and the moment of pure love and community she created within my classroom. Iary was sitting on the carpet during our language arts time when she leaned over to the little girl next to her and gave her a hug. Initially, the little girl was taken aback by this unexpected showing of kindness. After a moment of astonishment, the little girl hugged Iary back. Iary's face immediately beamed with happiness and she grabbed my attention to show me the friend she had just made. The little girl on the opposite side of Iary, after witnessing this moment, then followed up with another hug for Iary. One by one, every single child in my classroom lined up to give Iary a hug. I have never been in more awe or felt more adoration towards a group of 5 and 6 year olds in my life. What a showing of love and community that was expressed that day; and every day thereafter, because that is what Iary created wherever she went: a community of compassion.
Whenever Iary struggled with any activity, she had 4 or 5 students clamoring to help her. Everyone wanted to be Iary's buddy. Everyone wanted to help. If she couldn't get something cut out, someone cut it out for her. If she couldn't get her jacket on the hook, someone was right there with arms outstretched to help her. Whenever students were given the opportunity to choose partners, never did Iary have to worry about not finding one. She was adored and loved by every child in my classroom, which, to anyone who knew her, came as no surprise, as she was so easy to love.
Although Iary's struggles were great, she was never deterred. She came into school with an eager excitement to learn every single day. She never backed down from a challenge, and because of this I saw her grow in leaps and bounds in the short period of time she was with me. She quickly learned how to properly hold a pencil, how to correctly use scissors and cut on the lines, how to count and match objects, and how to independently take care of herself in a classroom of 20. She surprised me on a daily basis with new things she had learned and could do. Despite her inability to speak, her intelligence and ingenuity shone through. I was watching this beautiful little girl break through all of the walls and obstacles in her path to grow and succeed.
Unfortunately, her path was cut short. On Monday, November 2, Iary passed away while taking a nap. The reason as to why this beautiful and unique little girl was taken from us so early is still unknown. Words cannot express the sadness and pain that her family, friends, and classmates are feeling. When I sat down to discuss her passing with her classmates today, the first thing that was said was, "Why?" I told them I don't know, and we may never know, but that we must try to remember all of the things we loved best about Iary. One of her classmates then began smiling and said, "Iary loved hugs." For this to be the first memory her classmates had of her speaks volumes to her bright and generous spirit.
There are many things we plan on doing as a classroom and a community to help support Iara's family during this difficult time. One of them is to raise money to assist in paying for Iara's funeral costs and hospital bills. The average cost of a funeral is between $8,000-$10,000. In addition to these costs, Iara's parents have hospital bills to pay as well. We don't want them to have to worry about this financial burden while they grieve over the loss of their daughter. Anything and everything helps, so please donate what you can as well as share her fund so that others may be touched by Iary's life and donate as well.
In true Iary fashion, we will not say "Good-bye." Instead, we will all blow our kisses towards the sky and say, "MWAH!"
Organizer and beneficiary
Allison Sue
Organizer
Fairfield, OH
Kurt Eger
Beneficiary
