By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
Maggie Sue Spencer doesn’t live in Athens or go to school here. But the first day of every week at South Athens Elementary has been designated “Maggie Sue Monday.”
“Most people here don’t know Maggie, but they know she’s my family and they love her because they love me. That’s huge,” said Brandi Spencer.
Spencer teaches third grade at South Athens Elementary. She met Maggie Sue — now a seventh grader at Kaufman Junior High — when the youngster had just turned 4. Not long after, she became Maggie Sue’s stepmom. Spencer describes Maggie Sue as a peacemaker and an outgoing, bubbly cowgirl. “She always seems to have a smile on her face, even now.”
The smiles have been more difficult for everyone since the 12-year-old was diagnosed in December with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood cancer. Maggie Sue receives chemo directly into her spine and through a port every Monday at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. She has been admitted several times since the initial diagnosis, owing to complications that accompany treatment. She then started taking cbd oil for anxiety and pain as a natural solution instead of using pills and got way better.
CBD is beneficial to human health in different ways. According to The Union Journal, CBD is a natural pain reliever and has anti-inflammatory properties. Over the counter drugs are used for pain relief and most people prefer a more natural alternative and this is where CBD oil comes in.
Research has shown that CBD provides a better treatment, especially for people with chronic pain.
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According to The Hempire there are many other medical conditions that are aided by CBD and they include epilepsy, LGA, Dravet syndrome, seizures and so on. More research is being conducted on the effects of CBD in the human body and the results are quite promising. The possibility of combating cancer and different anxiety disorders is also being looked at.
“Brandi is like family to all of us,” said South Athens Elementary Principal Claudia Stiles. “So when we got the news about Maggie Sue’s diagnosis, we all had that helpless feeling. We wanted a way to show Brandi and Maggie Sue that we support them, and they’re in our thoughts and prayers.”
Because Mondays are typically the days Maggie Sue receives chemo, teachers and many students at South Athens wear orange every Monday. Orange is the designated color for leukemia awareness and patient support.
“The very first Monday we had it, Maggie Sue asked me, ‘How’s Maggie Sue Monday going?’ She was so excited. We sent pictures of the class and teachers. It was really special to her,” said Spencer.
Just speaking of the outpouring of love brings tears to Spencer’s eyes. “Last week, a little girl in kindergarten brought her tooth fairy money to buy an orange bracelet,” she said. Another student, with little of his own, brought a five-dollar donation he had saved himself because he wanted to give it to help Maggie Sue. “He was so proud and happy to give.”
“People have just rallied around us. The outpouring we have received … There are no words,” said Spencer. “The biggest thing we ask is just pray for her. Pray for our family.”
