Big Brother John motivates Little Brother Travion to rise above.

John O’Leary is a truly exceptional man.  While a child he suffered severe burns over 98% of his body and spent five months in the hospital.  With neverending support from many people, including his mother and father, he recovered and has gone on to be a motivational speaker helping others overcome obstacles in their life.   But he felt he needed to do more.  He understands that we need to share our talents and energy and not horde them ... we need to be generous with ourselves.  So one day John and his wife Beth decided to visit Big Brothers Big Sisters.

At just that time Travion was turning twelve years old.  His mother Christine decided that he needed a great male role model.  He was going through all the experiences and physical changes that young boys go through and needed a man to talk to.  Christine took Travion to visit your favorite mentoring organization, us, and next thing you know, he was Little Brother Travion with Bigs John and Beth.

Since then they have had many magical moments.  As time has gone on, it’s become more guy time.  Travion and John have gone to sporting events, picked pumpkins and apples at local farms and orchards, tried out ice skating and water skiing, and most importantly, just hung out together.  As a matter of fact, one of their favorite activities is just having a quiet dinner at Beth and John’s house.

Little Brother Travion has also discovered a skill he never knew he had.  It turns out that Beth and John have had two children since Travion entered their lives.  And that great skill ... Travion turns out to be a wonderful uncle.  Even at his age he has learned the joy of helping others and passing along his skills and experience to guide other young people.

They’ve had some amazing experiences.  Travion competed in a local star search program by singing in front of hundreds of other children and adults.  He was fantastic and moved along to further rounds.  He always liked music and this experience has inspired him to continue.  Now he’s learning how to play the piano.

And the Governor, well, Big John and Little Travion were asked to speak at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri's Annual Banquet.  They presented the Legacy Honors.  As usual at our superb events, there were hundreds of attendees.  And some of them were state senators, business leaders, and, yes, the Governor.  Big Brother John read his part but Little Brother Travion spoke from his heart and memory.  He is one impressive young fellow destined to be an exceptional adult.

Travion has learned much.  His mother says he is more peaceful and has a better attitude about school now that he has a special friend to call his own.  Travion himself says if John wasn’t in his life “I would probably be in trouble most of the time.”  And his favorite thing about John ... "everything." 

But what about John?  The relationship has dramatically impacted him ... to his great surprise and benefit.  Travion has become a member of his extended family.  This extended family now gets to celebrate Travion’s accomplishments and joys.  Many of the highlights of John’s life are the result of Travion’s experiences…such as when they had a calm and quiet (in John’s word: bland) dinner at John’s parents house with the extended family and on the way home Travion looked at him and said “Thank you. That was the best night of my life.”