Student with Down syndrome lost his mom to cancer—then his former teacher changed his life with priceless gesture
Sometimes, the strongest families are the ones we choose, not the ones we are born into. Acts of kindness and love can create lasting bonds that go far beyond the classroom or neighborhood. One such story from Massachusetts is a beautiful example of how compassion can change lives in the most unexpected ways. Jean Manning moved from Florida to Ayer, Massachusetts, with her son Jake, to seek better treatment for her terminal breast cancer. She had no idea they were about to gain more than just medical support, as reported by ABC News.
Jake, who has Down syndrome, started attending a local school where he quickly connected with his new teacher, Kerry Bremer. “I fell in love with him instantly,” Bremer said, recalling how worried she became as Jean’s health declined. She eventually made a heartfelt offer, “If you need a backup plan for Jake, then our family is happy to make him part of our family.” Jean was touched, saying, “I’ll sleep better tonight than I have in a long time.”
Over the next few years, the Bremers and the Mannings became close, sharing weekends and holidays. Jake bonded with Kerry’s husband, Dave, and their children, Kaitlyn, Kristen, and Jonathan. Then, on November 13, while Jake was at school, his mother passed away due to breast cancer. According to a CDC report, in 2022, there were 279,731 new cases of breast cancer found in women in the United States. Sadly, in 2023, 42,213 women in the country lost their lives to the disease.
“My mom went to heaven,” Jake shared. “She’s always in my heart.” Kerry shared the news online, calling Jean a "Queen Angel" and promising to honor her memory by raising Jake as their own. “We will love, protect, and treasure Jake just as we promised,” she wrote. A fundraising page for Jake has since raised over $38,000. Kerry expressed her deep gratitude, saying Jake brought “everything” to their family, and added, “She will live on here in this house.” What began as a teacher-student bond has grown into a lasting family, a powerful reminder of how love and commitment can form new beginnings, even in the face of loss.
In another teacher-student story, a former high school teacher, Ashley Totty, found hope in the most unexpected way. Ashley and her husband Spencer had struggled with infertility for years, facing five miscarriages and failed IVF treatments. Just when they were beginning to lose hope, Ashley received a surprising message on Facebook from a former student, Hannah Dearman, whom she hadn’t spoken to in years. Hannah offered to be a surrogate, saying she had prayed for Ashley and wanted to help. Deeply touched, Ashley accepted. Despite not having seen each other since Hannah’s graduation, their bond was strong. Hannah carried the baby for free, simply out of love and respect. On June 29, 2024, baby Sophie Leigh Totty was born, bringing immense joy to the couple. “She is so selfless. She’s an angel on earth,” Ashley said of Hannah. The story is a reminder that sometimes, the kindness of others can lead to beautiful new beginnings.