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Philip Edgerley: A Life Lived Courageously

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re all having a wonderful day! I’ve been really enjoying the sunshine we’ve been getting here in champaign! I hope you’ve all had a chance to go outside and soak it up.

Along with the sunshine these past few days, I’ve been blessed with experiences that have shed light on the beauty and sacredness of life and I’ve seen love that has really warmed my heart. Although the events that led to these experiences were very tragic, a great deal of faith, hope and love was expressed and shared despite the loss. A few nights ago I attended a memorial for Philip Edgerley, an amazing friend, brother and son. I didn’t know Philip that well, but the more I heard about him the more I wish I knew him better. I just knew he was a sweetheart and I loved to say hi to him even though he probably didn’t remember my name. 😀

Philip had muscular dystrophy. He was an engineering student at the University of Illinois who was just like any other student except his physically disability and his amazing character and desire to love. He was truly unique in that sense, “He had a heart of gold” said Monsignor Ketcham at the memorial mass. His father shared a short testimony of Phil and their life and friendship together that was truly touching. He shared how his own heart was changed for the better because of his son. “He gave me my faith” Mr. Edgerley proudly confessed. He went on to proclaim the preciousness of all life. I would like to share with you some thoughts that came to mind when hearing his words and the truth I have been told and have found to be true with my experiences working with a student with muscular dystrophy this semester.

Our society has been missing out on so much, and the more I work with those in need, the more I realize how blind I am and how easy it is to remain blind. Some may say it is easy to turn our heads completely from those in need, that it is easy to give a buck to the homeless guy on the street and walk away. But what is very easy in our society, what I was blind to, is not their need for us, which is not that hard to see, butour need for them. We need the needy, the weak, the simple, the broken ones. I was not surprised when Mr. Edgerley stood up and told the whole church that it was not Philip that benefitted the most in their relationship but it was himself who benefited from Philip. Philip was given a cross and he carried it without bitterness or complaints. He was an example of Christ for all who knew him.

People like Philip are extremely valuable. The truth is that we all have this value, we all have the ability to carry the crosses given to us and care for one another such as Philip did and Jesus did for us. Who is to say that someone’s cross is too heavy? that their life would not be worth living because of the weight of their cross. Mr. Edgerlyy had a deep understanding of this and shared with us his understanding of how wonderful Philip was, not how awesome he was despite his disability but how awesome and precious he was BECA– USE of his disability. I hope I am communicating my thoughts effectively. I just wish everyone could have heard him and everyone in our society can get the chance to learn and grow from people like Philip. It is not our crosses that are the problem but our lack of faith and hope in our ability and in Christ’s ability to carry them with love. Christ DID carry his cross with love and Philip also carried his with love. We cannot assume the opposite. This is what I learned. To be pro-life means that I need to spread that confidence, that hope and that love that exists. I pray that my life gives testimony to this love as did Philips.

“You must accept your cross; if you carry it courageously, it will carry you to Heaven” St. John Marie Vianney. I know that Philip’s cross carried him to Heaven, let us not deny others ofthat same opportunity or deny us their example and assistance on the journey.

God Bless,
Stacy

Philip H. Edgerley