Wayne County Wanderings: Community Comes Together in "Life for Leo" Campaign

This week's column is all about pain and suffering, strength and courage, resilience and faith.

It features a remarkable young man who's already stared down more fear in his 12 years than most of us will face in a lifetime.

It's also a tale of how our community has rallied around one family fighting to protect it's youngest member … a sweet, quiet kid who likes nothing better than watching movies with his Dad and walking in the woods with his Mom.

This is a story about small town American values. It's a story about friends helping friends in their time of greatest need.

In the end, though, it's mostly a story about Leo.

Nightmare diagnosis

Cancer, especially in children, can be an especially cruel and insidious disease.

Kirk and Jennifer Nichols didn’t really know anything was drastically wrong with their son until last summer.

Leo had been having random headaches and vision issues, but they were understandably attributed to his new glasses.

Then, one sun-soaked morning toward the end of July, the parents took their boy to Lakeside Vision in Hawley. There, Dr. Michael Neal conducted a thorough exam of Leo’s eyes and really didn’t like what he saw.

“Dr. Neal told us to go home, pack a bag and head for Danville,” Kirk said. “He would make some calls and then text us where we should go.”

With alarm bells ringing in their heads, Kirk and Jennifer took the good doctor's advice. They piled into the car and rushed Leo to the hospital … where they were quickly confronted with a terrifying diagnosis.

Multiple scans revealed that their happy-go-lucky 12-year-old had a golf ball sized tumor which had been growing for nearly two years near the base of his brain.

“Dr. Neal was our angel,” Kirk said. “He was on the phone with Geisinger Janet Weiss Children’s Hospital demanding an MRI. If it weren't for him, our boy wouldn't be here today.”

As it turned out, this tumor was the reason for Leo's headaches and vision issues. Worst of all, it was malignant. Surgery was the only option and it needed to be done immediately.

“I couldn’t even imagine what Leo was going through,” Kirk said. “Think about going from a walk in the woods to not being able even to pick your head up or talk. It's unbelievable.”

One man's hero

Leo’s older sister, Elizabeth, has children of her own and lives out of the area. She was stunned when she received the news … heartbroken for both her little brother and for her parents.

“This wasn’t something my Mom and Dad had time to prepare for,” she said.

“One minute, life was normal; they were just two folks enjoying the day. Then, their son comes crashing in, confused and nearly blind. Suddenly, our family is plunged into the wild uncertainty that comes with cancer.”

Fortunately for the Nichols Family, Leo ended up in the perfect place. Surgeons at Janet Weiss removed the boy's tumor and saved his life. From there, an exhausting odyssey began which included stops at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital and Penn Medicine.

Following his surgery, Leo experienced severe post-operative symptoms. He couldn’t walk or talk, eat or swallow. Ever since he awakened in the recovery room, though, Leo has been clawing his way back to the light. Inch by inch and day by day.

From having his feeding tube removed to learning how to talk again, Leo’s life has been filled with one small victory after another. It’s an amazing and humbling lesson in the strength of a child.

“Leo is my hero,” Kirk said. “He showed up late in my life when my own health was starting to go downhill a little bit.

“Being a Dad, I would walk through the fires of hell for my kids. But, I tell Leo every night when I put him to bed that he’s my hero.”

Steadfast support

It didn’t take Leo’s friends and classmates long to hear about his illness.

The news spread like wildfire all through the middle school. Once they got over the initial shock, though, students and teachers alike immediately began making plans.

Cards were written and fundraisers were organized. In short, the entire Wayne Highlands community came together to do whatever they could to help.

Two of the biggest events that took place came courtesy of Honesdale's varsity basketball teams. Under the direction of girls coach Ron Rowe and boys skipper Jon Gillow, the Hornets dedicated a pair of games in Leo's honor.

Hundreds of fans packed both the high school gym and the Red Palace. Special t-shirts were created and sold. Basket raffles were held. Donations were solicited from anyone who had a couple of dollars to spare.

Just before opening tip of the boys game versus archrival Wallenpaupack Area, Leo's name was announced to the overflow crowd. Fans responded with a thunderous ovation as Leo smiled and waved from his wheelchair.

“The atmosphere at those games was just electric,” said Coach Gillow. “The way our kids and this community showed up to support Leo was absolutely amazing.”

Coach Rowe concurs.

“We live in a very special place,” the veteran skipper said. “Cancer touches just about everyone in one way or another. And, I'm very proud of all the hard work these kids put in.”

When all was said and done, the two games generated nearly $4,500 … all of which was given to the Nichols Family. When asked if he'd like to thank these big-hearted kids, Kirk answered with both candor and humor.

“Oh hell yeah!” he exclaimed. “I'd hug every single one of them, but I think they'd probably freak out if they saw this old bald guy coming at them.”

Long and winding road

Thankfully, Leo Nichols appears to be out of any imminent danger. However, his road to recovery will be long and challenging.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are on tap for the foreseeable future. In addition, there will be countless sessions of physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

In the meantime, Leo keeps on smiling and fighting the good fight. He's a typical kid who loves to read and play video games. He's also enamored of jokes, gag gifts and stuffed animals. Once he's finally freed of his wheelchair forever, he's looking forward to walking in the woods again.

“Leo is an old soul,” said Kirk. “He’s a very logical and loving kid. Leo has already overcome so many hurdles with minimal complaint. We're definitely optimistic about his future.”

If you'd like to help the Nichols Family as Leo continues battling his way back to health, please reach out. Letters and cards of support, or donations of any amount at all are deeply appreciated.

Leo Nichols

PO Box 840

Clarion, PA 16214

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale High School Leo Nichols Cancer Life for Leo Basketball