Expecting mothers can't help but have secret expectations for their future little one. It's only human. You have this little soul inside you, kicking and growing until they are ready to come into the world. Pregnancy is filled with emotions! You picture their life. You wonder what they will look like and who they will be.
Then, there's the morning sickness, the soreness, the weight gain and the dreaded pain of birth. But in the end it's all worth it, to meet your tiny person. Finally you meet them, you hold them for the first time, their little body resting on your chest.
Now imagine your newborn being ripped from your arms and rushed into an emergency procedure. Now imagine that exact feeling 58 more times, and you can begin to understand the heartbreaking reality of one mother and her 6-year-old son, Keyjuan Andrew.
This 6-Year-Old Boy Has Spent Half His Life In Hospitals
Since his birth, Keyjuan Andrew, 6, has spent much of his young life within the sterile walls of hospitals. As a baby, his first moments were spent under the glare of operating lights, while his mother, Jessica Krentowski and family waited with bated breath.
Growing up with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome has meant enduring numerous medical procedures — 58 to be exact — and a total of 15 surgeries. It's a journey that most adults would find grueling, but Keyjuan has faced each step with courage and resilience.
Despite these challenges, Keyjuan has miraculously kept his childlike sense of wonder. He has become a familiar face among the doctors and nurses who have cared for him, often bringing smiles with his bright energy. He has made friends with other young patients, sharing his stories and uplifting those around him. Though much of his life has been spent in hospitals, he hasn't let it diminish his joy for life.
On Patrol with Officer Keyjuan For A Day
Little boy sitting in a chair wearing a police oABC News
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question nearly every kid has an answer to. Common responses are firefighter, ballerina, president, and, of course, police officer. For Keyjuan Andrew, becoming a police officer was his ultimate dream, and thanks to the Lynwood Police Department, that dream came true.
In a special ceremony, Keyjuan was officially sworn in as an honorary officer, a moment he had long anticipated. The ceremony was filled with applause and admiration as Keyjuan stood proudly in his new uniform. As part of his day as an honorary officer, he was given the chance to go on patrol with Lynwood Police Chief Gregory Thomas.
With his badge pinned to his chest and a smile on his face, Keyjuan rode along in the police car, his eyes wide with excitement. The officers treated him like one of their own, explaining their work and sharing the values of their profession. It was an unforgettable experience that left Keyjuan beaming and inspired their entire community.
Watch Keyjuan Andrew's Video:
Boy becomes honorary officer after dozens of surgeries and procedureswww.youtube.com
Redefining Expectations and Embracing Hope
When expecting parents discuss the future, they often say that their hopes for their baby are simple: "Boy, girl, it doesn't matter, as long as the baby is healthy." These words reflect the profound truth that good health is the foundation upon which all other dreams are built. But what happens when those dreams are challenged by a diagnosis that changes everything?
Keyjuan Andrew's story serves as a poignant reminder that the path to parenthood — and to a fulfilling life — isn't always straightforward. Despite facing a condition that brought countless medical procedures and surgeries, Keyjuan and his family have found strength in the moments of joy and courage in the face of uncertainty. They have shown that while health is a crucial part of the journey, it isn't the only source of dreams.
Through the loving support of family and community, Keyjuan has accomplished remarkable things that go far beyond a simple definition of health. His induction as an honorary police officer wasn't just a ceremony — it was a testament to his resilience, a celebration of a young boy's spirit, and a symbol of hope for everyone around him.
Keyjuan's story inspires us to broaden our expectations and embrace the unexpected. He has proven that even in the face of overwhelming medical challenges, life can be filled with purpose, laughter, and hope. His journey reminds us that while we may start with certain expectations, the real magic happens when we find joy in the most unexpected places. The measure of a child's life isn't just their health; it's the courage, love, and hope they bring to the world.
What It Means To Be A Leader
I see a lot of motivated, self-proclaimed successful people who use their status to talk down to "the masses", particularly Millennials, about how lazy they are, and how they don't put in the work to be successful. We've all read their endless lectures. Yes, I'm calling out many of my peers and mentors as well, because good leadership means taking the heat.
But this—this whining about others is anything but good leadership. It’s not that I’m offended, but rather that I do not find the generational narrative to be an effective one. I am not defending inaction or laziness, but I will not support petty leadership either.
The truth is that if you're going to bask in the glory of your own work ethic and success, then the only talking you should ever be doing is to motivate others to learn from your better habits. Offer your lessons. Take time to share your wisdom. Motivate and encourage others. Stop the dictation. That's how real leadership works. I don't care what your accolades are, I don’t care how old or young you may be; you must understand that not everyone is fulfilled in the same ways as you. You must understand that true leadership requires you to actually help people change for the better instead of simply telling them why they aren't enough, or why they aren't like you.
So, perhaps it's not Baby Boomers vs. Millennials, but all of us, as leaders, that should be putting in more work to communicate our challenges and thus, be of greater service to each other.
What It Means To Be A Leader
Do you want to be a leader? Congratulations, you get to spend your free time mentoring others, in addition to the grueling hours you spend 'putting in the work'. Indeed, the work itself may be more than others are doing, but it's not enough for leadership. Leadership requires you to use your platform to transform those around you, while being honest about your struggle: the period of time spent between whining and winning. There is little wisdom at either of those end points, yet there is incredible value in the journey between.
Talk about the mistakes you made along the way, and watch the gates of effort open. Ask others to question who they are and what they want, then give them credit for having learned the answer because leadership is also servitude: a double-edged sword that requires you to identify your own weaknesses before you can inspire another.
Leadership lacks ego, which is instead replaced with an intense responsibility and allegiance to people—to bring them to some vague promised land. To give the world something it has never seen from you. And yet, to get there, you may find yourself enduring a lot of sleepless nights, cold sweats, outstanding invoices, miscalculations, repeated rejections, the haunting failures of your past, and the viral idea that you could've done better.
Then there's the nagging question of whether you have what it takes – and the ethical question of what gives you the right to lead when you actually have no idea what's next. These fears are all very convincing. In fact, I would venture to say they are part of the human experience, but I've also [slowly] been learning that great leadership isn't measured by any of those fears. It's not about being right the first time, or 100% of the time. It's not about proving anyone wrong. It's not about fame. It's not about fortune. You don't magically become immune to the pain once you find yourself celebrated. There are ups and there are downs and there are a lot of people who you can help, and whose help you will need along the way.
We see, today, too many self-proclaimed “leaders” who say they have all the answers, and that is simply never true; they only prey upon your fear of uncertainty. Leadership means showing up & facing the uncertainty with honesty and integrity. Every day. For the sake of others and for the sake of your vision. You show up with conviction, you make it very clear that this is your best plan, you discuss, and you execute. And if that plan fails, you try again. And again. And again. And somehow, if you have the confidence to try despite the cloudiness, people are willing to give you a chance, and they're willing to stand with you because you actually admit to not having all the answers. It's scary, and yet, that is where I've learned to find the slightest bit of comfort in teammates and friends who are empowered by transparency, not wowed by a false bravado. These are the people who will make the ups more exhilarating and the downs less devastating.
I used to pinpoint success on words like "strategy" and "charisma" and "innovative" and a lot of other self-congratulatory crap that made me feel good, but the problem was when I failed, those words failed, too.
So, these days, I'm just grateful to be surrounded by people who are willing to give it a shot—to give me a shot—because, no matter what, I’m never giving up. And that, my friends, is all that matters. We just have to stop nagging and help each other overcome our challenges.
Yours truly,
A fellow Millennial