Rally for Rusty

They say it takes a village to raise a child. For years, I have witnessed one woman’s remarkable fight raising her grandchild without one. Though childhood trauma resulted in mental/emotional health conditions, this woman single-handedly fought to ensure he was taken care, loved, and given every fighting chance at a successful life. Today, as I watch her five-year fight with leukemia conclude a lifetime of silently fought battles and fear the impact of her inevitable absence on the life of a fifteen-year-old boy left without his only parent, Glennys (Rusty) Bills needs her story to be heard.

I first met Glennys (Rusty) Bills and her grandson, Shaun, in 2017. Shaun walked into my classroom with his head down, nervous to say much despite the excitement of a new school year. At just eight years old, he had been through so much. Through the course of the year, and for so many more to come, his grandmother strived to provide services, supports, and gave unconditionally despite her own struggles. Through illness, loss, perpetual financial hardship, and unimaginable adversity, I’ve watched Shaun become a confident, contributing, kind success story. Why? He had his grandma. Today, leukemia leaves Rusty in a state I have previously never witnessed her in—fear. And while fear might seem like the natural reaction to anyone experiencing terminal cancer’s inevitable impact, Rusty’s fear is far different. Rusty’s fear is not that of passing. It is that of knowing what’s to come for her teenage grandson, a fear in knowing his past of trauma and of his future that lies ahead—a future navigating life without her, a world without “Nan.”

Family, friends, and strangers willing to listen: Rusty and Shaun need our help. As of this week, Rusty will enter hospice care and Kris, her older grandson who works for USD 383’s custodial crew, will be taking over full care of Shaun. Kris’s efforts are unbelievable, but he cannot do this alone. Securing financial support is critical. Rent, bills, and continued therapy are necessities for Shaun moving forward. Without our help, Shaun’s future is at risk. Please join me in a rally for Rusty. She has spent her life providing a village to her grandson, let’s give her the village they’ve both needed and have yet to find today.