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UNFORTUNATELY, IOWANS GET BAD NEWS EVERY DAY. <I'LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THAT HE WAS DIAGNOSED.> SOMETIMES IT'S AN EMERGENCY-- <TOLD HIM YOU NEED TO CALL AN AMBULANCE. CALL 911.> AND MANY TIMES IT'S LIFE CHANGING. <I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HELD FOR ME.> BUT WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE GOOD THAT SOMETIMES COMES AFTER THE BAD. <WE PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO IT.> LIKE THE BIG RIG DREAM THAT CAME TRUE. <I JUST WANT TO BURST.> THE TRAGEDY THAT LED TO A BABY SAVE. THE ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP THAT INSPIRED A COLORFUL SECOND CHAPTER. AND A DIAGNOSIS BEING USED AS A TEACHING MOMENT. <I KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET THROUGH REALLY HARD DAYS.> PROVING BAD NEWS CAN INSPIRE GOOD SECOND CHAPTERS. THIS IS IOWA. EVERY SPRING AND FALL, IOWA FARMERS PULL LONG HOURS - PLANTING AND HARVESTING, SOLVING PROBLEMS ALONG THE WAY. SO WHEN A STORY COUNTY FARMER SUDDENLY FACED THE TOUGHEST SEASON OF HIS LIFE, HE DIDN'T STOP SOLVING PROBLEMS. IN A STATE FULL OF FARMERS-- <BOBCAT BACK UP BEEP.> HARD WORK IS NOT A STRANGER. IT'S A LESSON-- <WE'LL GET GOING ON THAT LADDER.> PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS THAT OFTEN LIVE ON THE SAME GRAVEL ROAD-- <WE CAN PICK IT UP AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.> AND DRIVE TRACTORS-- <RACHET.> COATED WITH THE SAME SHADE OF GREEN GRANDPA USED TO DRIVE. <WE SPEND OUR WHOLE LIFE AND CAREER WORKING ON COMBINES.> GLENN POPE'S CREW KNOWS THAT LOYALTY. <18 IS SITTING RIGHT DOWN THERE.> BECAUSE MOST DAYS, THEY BUILD JOHN DEERE COMBINES. <BANGING OF METAL.> BUT THIS COMBINE? <THIS ONE HAS BEEN... THIS ONE HAS BEEN SPECIAL.> THIS ONE TOOK A FULL YEAR TO BUILD. <WE PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO IT.> A ONE OF A KIND MODEL-- <DRILL.> BUILT FOR A FARMER NONE OF THEM EVER MET. (transition) <KNOWING THE WHOLE STORY BEHIND IT, IT REALLY HITS HOME.> <BUZZ. BUZZ. FIST.> BRAD PLUNKETT'S MOM WILL TELL YOU, HER BOY WAS BORN TO FARM. <IT'S JUST - IT'S JUST IN THEIR BLOOD. THEY LOVE IT.> A LOVE HE PASSED DOWN TO HIS BOYS WHO GREW UP RIDING IN THE CAB - <AND A PILLOW, A SMALL PILLOW HE CARRIED IN THE COMBINE. AND I SAT ON THE ARMREST AND USUALLY FELL ASLEEP.> JUST LIKE áTHEIR KIDS DID WHEN THEY HOPPED IN WITH áGRANDPA BRAD <HONK.> FOR A RIDE IN HIS BUDDY SEAT-- <YOU SHUT IT OFF! LAUGH.> DURING HARVEST SEASON IN STORY COUNTY. <HE ALWAYS WOULD GIVE THEM RIDES AT THE COMBINE AS SOON AS THEY CAME OUT.> <A TRACTOR!> WHICH IS WHY IT HURT SO MUCH THAT THAT'S WHERE HE WAS WHEN THEY ALL FOUND OUT. <IT JUST HAPPENED REALLY FAST.> áá <YEAH. I MEAN, (06) I'LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THAT HE WAS DIAGNOSED. I MEAN, HE WAS IN A TRACTOR (10) AND, UM, (13) HE WAS RUNNING THE PLANTER AND HE HIT A FENCE POST AND HE CALLED ME AND HE SAID, YOU GOT TO COME OUT THE FIELD. I HIT A POST. I DON'T FEEL RIGHT. (20)> <YEAH, GIOBLASTOMA.> A BRAIN TUMOR - AT 55. RADIATION AND CHEMO SUDDENLY MADE FARMING DANGEROUS. <ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE STRUGGLED WITH WAS BALANCE.> SO THERAPISTS AT ON WITH LIFE IN ANKENY TRIED TO HELP BY FUELING HIS PASSION. <WHEN THEY FOUND OUT HE WAS A FARMER, THEY SAID, HEY, LET'S, UH, TAKE HIM OUT TO THE TRACTOR AND DO SOME THERAPY OUT THERE.> <THE TRACTOR IS ABOUT A 1950S TRACTOR. AND IT DEFINITELY DOESN'T (21) I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE THE TRACTORS, TRACTORS OF TODAY. (23) SO HE WAS RELATIVELY DISAPPOINTED.> BECAUSE HE COULDN'T PRACTICE THE CLIMBING HE NEEDED TO RETURN TO HIS CAB. BUT FARMERS ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS. SO HE TOLD HIS THERAPIST... <YOU GOT TO HAVE SOME COMBINE STEPS ON YOUR PROPERTY. AND I SAID, OKAY. AND (37) HE BASICALLY SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO DONATE A HALF A TRUCKLOAD OF CORN SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET COMBINE STEPS HERE. (43)> BRAD EVEN SKETCHED OUT HIS IDEA ON SCRAP PAPER - A FEW MONTHS BEFORE HE DIED. AND A YEAR BEFORE THAT TEAM FROM JOHN DEERE GOT WIND OF BRAD'S DREAM. ASSEMBLY LINES ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR ONE OF A KIND MODELS. SO FOR A YEAR, JOHN DEERE'S QUAD CITIES TEAM BRAINSTORMED, DREW UP PLANS AND WELDED. AND TESTED. AND PAINTED. <THEY WORKED ON THIS PROJECT DURING THEIR SPARE TIME, BUT ALSO ON WORK TIME AS WELL. AND REALLY THIS THING JUST BLOSSOMED.> UNTIL - JUST A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THIS YEAR'S PLANTING SEASON-- <BUT YEAH, THAT'S HOW IT STARTED. THAT'S AWESOME. ISN'T THAT COOL?> BRAD'S NOW EVEN BIGGER FAMILY GOT WORD. <ARE YOU READY TO GO SEE GRANDPA BRAD'S TRACTOR?> HIS DREAM CAME TRUE. <YOU SEE IT?> FOUR GENERATIONS OF BRAD'S FAMILY HAVE SHARED A LOT OF TEARS THE LAST FEW YEARS. <YOU HAD LOTS OF PICTURES WITH HIM. YEAH, I HAD A BUNCH.> SEEING HIS GRANDKIDS? <OH, HE CAN HARDLY WAIT! LAUGH> CLIMB ONTO THE EQUIPMENT HE INSPIRED TRIGGERED EVEN MORE. áá <YEAH. THE TEAR CAME TO MY EYE. I MEAN, IT'S, UM. YEAH, HE JUST HE'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVEN WHEN HE'S NOT HERE.> <HOW SPECIAL.> <CAN YOU WAVE AT GIGI?> BECAUSE THIS ONE OF A KIND SETUP HAS A TRACTOR CAB JUST BRAD'S - RIGHT DOWN TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THROTTLE. <THEY EVEN GOT THE MONITOR IN THERE AND EVERYTHING.> ATTACHED TO A FULL-SIZED COMBINE CAB PERCHED 7 FEET OFF THE GROUND- - <ARE YOU COMBINING THE CORN OR THE BEANS? THE BEANS. THE CORN.> SO INJURED FARMERS CAN PRACTICE CLIMBING IN. WITH SPECIAL ADD-ONS- - <NORMALLY YOU DON'T HAVE A DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRACTOR OR THE COMBINE.> SO THERAPISTS CAN HELP FROM BOTH SIDES. <JOHN DEERE JUST GAVE THIS TO THEM. (50) AND THE EMPLOYEES EVEN GAVE THEIR TIME. ISN'T THAT NEAT?> <IT'S NOT CHEAP.> BUT IT'S ALSO NOT LOST ON THEM WHO GOT TO TEST OUT BRAD'S BUDDY SEATS FIRST. <PROBABLY THE HARDEST THING THAT SINCE HE'S GONE IS THAT HE DOESN'T GET A.... THEY DON'T GET TO JUMP IN THE TRACTOR WITH GRANDPA.> <I JUST WANT TO BURST. I JUST FEEL REAL PROUD BECAUSE I KNOW HOW HAPPY IT WOULD MAKE HIM.> TO SEE IOWANS RE-LEARNING TO CLIMB STAIRS -- <YOU'RE COMING WITH ME, RIGHT? NOPE. YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.> ON THE EQUIPMENT INSPIRED-- <CLAPPING.> BY A FARMER FIGHTING CANCER WHO SAID, "LET'S SOLVE THIS PROBLEM." <SEEING A DREAM COME TRUE. IT'S PRETTY COOL.> <KNOWING HOW MANY LIVES WILL BE IMPACTED IN A POSITIVE WAY FOR HOPEFULLY YEARS AND YEARS TO COME.> <RIGHT HERE IS HIS SIGN. IT HAS HIS NAME ON IT.> <CLIP 90-13.24.31> <SNIFFLE.> <YEAH, IT'S ABOVE AND BEYOND THIS ONE. IT YEAH. YEAH. I JUST FEEL LIKE BRAD WAS ENGINEERING THE WHOLE PROJECT FROM HEAVEN. LAUGH.> <SAY 1-2-3, GRANDPA BRAD. GRANDPA BRAD.> NOT EVERY NEXT CHAPTER IS GREEN. <NATS : 14494928 - PURPLE IS OVER HERE . BROWN , BROWN , BROWN > WE'RE HEADED TO THE KITCHEN FOR AN UNCONVENTIONAL RECIPE HELPING KIDS COPING WITH THE WORST. 15264417 - oh no the red is spilling over into the other one WE'RE ALSO HEADING TO SCHOOL FOR AN ADORABLE LESSON IN EMPATHY. <SHE ALWAYS HELPS US, AND SHE MAKES US BETTER WHEN WE ARE SAD.> BUT FIRST, WE'RE STOPPING AT THE NICU FOR A MINISCULE BUNDLE-- <I SAID THAT IS A SMALL BABY (LAUGHS). VERY SMALL.> AND THE REST OF THE STORY BEHIND HER SURPRISE ARRIVAL. SECOND CHAPTERS AFTER LIFE'S TOUGH ONES. THIS IS IOWA. <I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT I KNEW I WAS IN PAIN...> At 28 weeks pregnant - Jessica Gaudian was resting at home and suddenly realized something was wrong. <I CRAWLED INTO THE BATHROOM. I COULDN'T SPEAK. I COULDN'T TALK. I JUST KEPT YELLING FOR HIM, AND TOLD HIM YOU NEED TO CALL AN AMBULANCE. CALL 911.> <WESTCOM 911. WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF YOUR EMERGENCY?> Within seconds her husband Alex - was on the phone. <MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND I THINK SHE IS HAVING THE BABY RIGHT NOW...> Calm in a moment of sheer panic - he tells the dispatcher his daughter is born. <YOU'RE OK. YOU'RE OK. (YELLING) THE BABY IS ON THE FLOOR. (DISPATCHER) THE BABY IS ON THE FLOOR?> 10:46:44 JESSICA GAUDIANÑ <I LAYED ON THE FLOOR. MY WATER BROKE, AND AS SOON AS MY WATER BROKE IT WAS FOUR PUSHES AND I WAS HOLDING HER HEAD.> With two parents in shock - The dispatcher walks them through what to do next. <GENTLY WIPE OFF THE BABY'S MOUTH AND NOSE. WIPE THE BABY OFF WITH A CLEAN TOWEL OR A CLOTH. THEN WRAP THE BABY IN ANOTHER CLEAN DRY TOWEL, OK?> And minutes later - West Des Moines EMS arrives. <I SAID THAT IS A SMALL BABY (LAUGHS). VERY SMALL.> Lieutenant Jordan VanScoy had never had a two pound patient before - Until he met Clara Elizabeth. <WITH BABY BEING SO SMALL WE WERE KIND OF WORRIED ABOUT HER LUNG DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO MAKING SURE SHE STAYS PRETTY WARM BECAUSE AT THAT AGE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REGULATE THEIR TEMPERATURE AS WELL.> Whisking her into the ambulance - there was no time to waste. 10:52:28 JESSICA GAUDIAN - BABY'S MOTHERÑ <HE WAS JUST LIKE BYE MAMA, AND AT THAT MOMENT I WAS LIKE OK, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE ON OUT. SHE IS SAFE. IT WAS JUST LIKE THIS CALMING PRESENCE WATCHING HIM WALK AWAY.> <THE MOMENT THAT HE GRABBED HER AND WRAPPED HER UP IN THIS VERY QUICK, SMOOTH MOTION AND HE TURNED AND WE MADE EYE CONTACT AND I JUST STOPPED TALKING, STOPPED WALKING, AND I THINK I SAID THANK YOU, I DON'T KNOW. AND THEN JUST KIND OF WATCHED THIS SUPER HERO WALK OUT WITH MY DAUGHTER.> A super hero - transporting baby Clara in the fastest and safest way possible. <THIS IS WHAT WE USED TO SECURE HER ON THE WAY DOWN TO MERCY.> Once they arrived at the hospital - the NICU staff was ready. <IT FELT REALLY GOOD. WE PULLED IN. THE BACK DOORS OPENED AND THE WHOLE NICU TEAM WAS RIGHT HERE.> Thanks to so many heros - Clara is doing well. <SHE'S ALREADY GOT A PERSONALITY, AND I THINK IT'S A LOT LIKE MAMA. (LAUGHS)> Jessica finally got to hold her baby at one week old. And Clara is getting stronger every day - and is now almost 6 weeks old. <SO MANY EMOTIONS, I CAN'T EVEN PUT THEM IN WORDS YET. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT IT WORKED OUT BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY FOR US.> A big part of that success story is one paramedic - with a passion for kids. <I LOVE ADVOCATING FOR THEM, BRINGING IN TRAINING, EQUIPMENT. THEY ARE MY FAVORITE POPULATION OF PATIENTS.> VanScoy is the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator for the department - an important job he took on after a tragic call - that changed his life. <ONE PARTICULAR SIX YEAR OLD ENTERED MY LIFE AND MADE AN IMPRESSION ON ME BACK IN 2016.> VanScoy wears a bracelet with tiny dinosaurs in memory of 6-year-old Wyatt Griffiths. Wyatt died after a car crash on I-235. VanScoy has now dedicated his life to saving children - in honor of the child he desperately tried to save. <STILL THINK OF HIM EVERYDAY.> With that grief comes moments of hope. Like reuniting with Clara's parents days after her emergency birth. <NOT EVERYDAY WE GET THOSE KIND OF OUTCOMES. SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF OUTCOMES THAT MAKE US KEEP COMING BACK.> Unsung heroes this family will treasure forever. <THAT LITERALLY SAVED MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE, AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT.> THAT WAS LAURA TERRELL. NEXT, JODI LONG'S UNWRAPPING A PASSION PROJECT ROOTED IN THE PAIN OF THE PAST BUT FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE. <YOU COME OUT OF IT A BETTER PERSON, A BETTER HUMAN.> HELPING OTHERS ADD COLOR TO THEIR DARKEST DAYS. THIS IS IOWA. 15031315 - 15031825 - I'M GOING TO STICK THEM INTO THE OVEN ... 275 Katie Kenny isn't much of a baker 15033222 - á ENTERS IN TIME ON OVEN á PERFECT But over the last several weeks... She's found joy in the kitchen 14375902 - áKATIE LAUGHING á ( KATIE AND JOSIE SITTING ON THE FLOOR TAKING OFF WRAPPERS ) The recipe she's following Calls for only one ingredient <14390609 - GLOW IN THE DARK. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEY MADE THOSE ( CLOSE UP OF KATIE'S HANDS ) > Crayons. Hundreds of them nats : 14411238 - these i count as one The Waukee mom -- made post on Facebook with a unique request <15143714 - 15144101 I SAID, DOES ANYONE HAVE BROKEN CRAYONS OR CRAYONS THEY'RE NOT UTILIZING ANYMORE > It turns out -- art teachers at the nearby elementary school had bins full of well loved wax <15153127 - 15153202 -- IT'S JUST BEEN AND IT'S BEEN INSANE. AND WE HAVE JUST BAGS AND BAGS OF CRAYONS THAT WE STILL NEED TO GO THROUGH - KATIE KENNY > nats : 14494928 - purple is over here . brown , brown , brown Everything shade of pink and every hue of blue donated 14494109 - ooh a little red. why is it so tiny?! Because its broken ( josie and Katie sorting from bowl ) Flaws and all... To be stripped, 14304102 - SO PUT THE THE WRAPPERS THERE ( TAKING OFF CRAYON WRAPPERS ) sorted 14453818 - áSOUNDS OF CRAYONS HITTING TIN And pieced back together -- which is fitting considering where they are headed next . <15132811 - MAY BE BROKEN WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING THAT'S HARD , SOMETHING THAT TRAUMATIC BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU COME OUT OF IT A BETTER PERSON, A BETTER HUMAN. IF THAT SOUNDS PERSONAL, IT IS. AND SO EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY BE BROKEN, YOU CAN STILL COLOR . YOU CAN STILL COLOR. - KATIE KENNY > In college -- she was in an abusive dating relationship. She got out -- got help -- and found her self worth again... <15135617 - 15135910 - WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING HARD LIKE THAT, IT CAN TEAR YOU DOWN // BUTT // 15170322 - 15170727 SO I'VE ALWAYS REALLY FLIPPED THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN MY LIFE INTO MORE OF A POSITIVE. > Because Katie is learning it takes TIME to perfect a recipe And it can be a bit of a messy process. 15264417 - oh no the red is spilling over into the other one But she's convinced it's worth it to create something beautiful 12;19;21;13 - 12;19;27;08 <SO IT'S A CONSTANT ASKING OF THE COMMUNITY TO COME FORWARD AND FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN EXPERIENCING TRAUMA - KACEY BARROW - MINER , TRAINING DIRECTOR AT CRISIS INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY CENTER > At the Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Center in Dallas County -- victim advocates know coloring is theraputic for kids working through life's toughest circumstances . And those colors are have seen better days <12;19;03;24 - WE GET REALLY CREATIVE. SOMETIMES THERE'S MARKERS THAT DON'T RUN ANYMORE WORK ANYMORE, - KACEY BARROW - MINER , TRAINING DIRECTOR AT CRISIS INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY CENTER > Katie's second chance crayons give hurting kids a chance to heal <12304508 - HI KATIE ARE THESE THE CRAYONS? > 12175105 - 12175420 <THEY JUST NEED EXPRESSIVE WAYS TO GET OUT THE TRAUMA THEY'RE EXPERIENCING AND SEE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY NEED - KACEY BARROW - MINER , TRAINING DIRECTOR AT CRISIS INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY CENTER > Whether their stories are dark or bright ... nats : 14115313 - come on lets sort these over here So the who doesn't spend much time in the kitchen is actually looking forward to breaking it in. 15235713 - THOSE ONE LOOKS AWESOME, IM EXCITED TO SEE THOSE Because Katie knows broken crayons can still create something beautiful -- if they are given a second chance 15140209 - 15141107 taking that situation that I went through and making it something positive and something that can impact other kids or other families that are going through similar situations> YOU WANT POSITIVE? <HI DOLLY. (HUG) GOOD. HOW ARE YOU.> THESE KIDS ARE POSITIVE-- <SHE IS JUST THE BEST PRINCIPAL.> THEIR ADVOCATE IN THE HALLWAYS IS PREACHING EMPATHY-- <WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.> EVEN THOUGH HER NEWS IS PAINFUL AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT. <SHE SAID SOMETIMES SHE HAS DAYS WHERE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED.> WE'VE STILL GOT A BIG DOSE OF LOVE IN THE HALLWAYS-- <(HUG) GOOD JOB BUDDY. ALRIGHT?> WHEN OUR FOCUS ON THE GOOD THAT COMES AFTER THE BAD CONTINUES. THIS IS IOWA. Schools across Iowa are full of lessons on math, reading and writing. But one educator is making sure she teaches her students some of life's greatest lessons of empathy and perseverance. <OH MY GOODNESS. WHAT'S FOR LUNCH TODAY?> It is lunch time at Paton Churdan -- As kindergartners gobble up mashed potatoes - <I AM SOAKING WET. (LAUGHTER) OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS.> Giggles erupt over messes - <IT WENT ALL OVER DIDN'T IT.> And principal Annie Smith swoops in. <DID YOU GET ALL WIPED OFF THEN? HOW ABOUT WHEN WE ARE FINISHED EATING TODAY WE CAN WIPE THAT OFF, OK?> Her laughter fills the room - <(MRS. SMITH GIGGLING) GOOD JOB PAL!> Making every kiddo feel at ease. <SHE ALWAYS HELPS US, AND SHE MAKES US BETTER WHEN WE ARE SAD.> <SHE IS JUST THE BEST PRINCIPAL.> As Principal - her day ánever ends. <JUST THAT REVOLVING DOOR. A LOT OF PROBLEM SOLVING....> Nor does her love for áevery student. <HI DOLLY. (HUG) GOOD. HOW ARE YOU? HOW WAS YOUR BREAK? GOOD. GOOD YOU HAD A GOOD ONE.> Getting in coutless hugs and steps a day - <A LOT (GIGGLES).> She makes sure everybody is where they need to be. <DO YOU HAVE YOUR CURRENT EVENT DONE? I'M WORKING. OK KEEP WORKING.> <WHEN PEOPLE HEAR PATON CHURDAN THEY THINK FAMILY. WE ARE JUST ONE BIG FAMILY AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF HER.> Less than 200 students K-12 make up the district. <I'LL BE AT WALMART (YEAH YOU GUYS COME ON THROUGH) BE AT WALMART BUYING SOMETHING. THEY WILL SAY 'OH FOR YOUR KIDS. HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE?' I'LL SAY, I HAVE 187 OR WHATEVER IT IS AT THAT TIME. (TURNS AND LOOKS AT LINE WALKING BY). GOOD JOB YOU GUYS. GOOD JOB!> Smith's devotion to her kids is clear - by the many hats she wears. <SHE'S NOT AFRAID TO ANSWER THE PHONE. SHE'S NOT AFRAID TO HELP ME IF SHE HEARS WE'RE STRUGGLING OUT HERE.> From manning the front desk - to reffing games. <I'M LIKE WHY IS ANNIE IN A REFFING OUTFIT?? AND OUR SECRETARY WAS LIKE WE COULDN'T GET A REFEREE SO HERE ANNIE IS REFFING. SO THAT'S LIKE TWO HOURS RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE COURT REFFING A GAME.> <DID YOU HAVE CHEERLEADING? DID YOU GUYS HAVE CHEERLEADING THIS WEEKEND? NO CHEER COMPETITION?> When you see her boundless energy - you would never know the personal struggle Principal Smith deals with every day. <I HAD A FEW JUST OFF THINGS IN 2010-2011.> Tingling, numbness and pain led Smith to a neurologist ... and a diagnosis that changed her life. <IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT I HAD THE MARKINGS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.> An autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself by mistake. <I WAS VERY DOWN. VERY SAD. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HELD FOR ME.> The mother of four - stunned with this life altering news - says one decision changed her life. <YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE MS, BUT MS DOES NOT HAVE YOU AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LET IT CONTROL YOU. I MADE A DECISION ON THAT CERTAIN DAY AND HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK SINCE.> With a goal to hike every national park - Smith lives life to the fullest even on her hard days. <I THINK IT'S ONE THING TO TELL A CHILD THINGS MIGHT NOW ALWAYS BE EASY, BUT YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS, AND TO ACTUALLY LIVE THAT - THAT IS WHAT SHE DOES.> <WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.> Not only does she show up - But Principal Smith has made it her mission to educate. <NO ONE CAN CATCH IT. IT'S JUST SOMETHING GOING ON INSIDE HER BODY, AND THEY THINK THE GOOD GERMS ARE THE BAD GERMS.> Her openness about MS - is eye opening for students. <SHE SAID SOMETIMES SHE HAS DAYS WHERE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED, BUT SHE STILL DOES AND SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO HELP HER BRUSH HER TEETH AND STUFF.> <JUST BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY SHOW THAT THERE ARE DAYS THAT I AM NOT HAVING A GOOD DAY EITHER OR THERE ARE DAYS WHERE IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO PHYSICALLY GET OUT OF BED, BUT I GET UP AND I DO THAT. NOT BECAUSE I WANT A MEDAL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT I DO THAT BECAUSE I JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE GOOD DAYS AND WE HAVE BAD DAYS AND WE HAVE TO PERSERVERE THROUGH THEM, AND WE ALL CAN DO HARD THINGS AND THEN WHEN WE DO DO THOSE HARD THINGS WE DO FEEL BETTER ABOUT OURSELVES.> And that message - is sticking. <IT HELPS ME A LOT BECAUSE THEN I KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET THROUGH REALLY HARD DAYS.> <NEVER LET THEM GET IN YOUR WAY.> <YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SAD. YOU COULD STILL HAVE A GOOD DAY AND A GOOD LIFE.> <ALWAYS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF AND TO ALWAYS BELIEVE.> Because inside these walls - love and empathy - are taught first. THE COMPASSION AND THE LOVE THAT SHE SHOWS TO THE KIDS AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT SHE BUILDS WITH THEM, I THINK IS REALLY AMAZING.> <I KNOW EVERY TEACHER IN THIS BUILDING LOOKS AFTER MY KIDS, AND THEN I KNOW ANNIE LOOKS AFTER ME, AND EVEN ON HER WORST DAY SHE STILL DOES THAT. (NODS)> <YOU GUYS GETTING DONE? ARE YOU DONE? (HUG) GOOD JOB BUDDY. ALRIGHT. (HUG) DID YOU GIVE YOUR BEST?> A principal - who is also a walking example - that not all days are good.... but there is good in every day. <WE ARE ALL GIVEN CHALLENGES. WE ARE ALL GIVEN CHALLENGES AND EVERYDAY IS A CHALLENGE, BUT WE HAVE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO MEET THOSE CHALLENGES.> From lessons in perseverance to second chance crayons, baby saves and farmer-inspired therapy, life's bad news can lead to go