Port visits school to say ‘thanks’

By Jon Moffett

The kids asked their guest about his condition, as well as his favorite things.

AUSTINTOWN — Kayla Fisher and Amber Venorsky walked slowly and quietly up to Ed Port as he enjoyed his breakfast before speaking to a class at Austintown Elementary School.

The two sixth-graders waited patiently before addressing the 39-year-old Port as he finished the last of his ham outside the school’s cafeteria.

“Mr. Port,” Kayla said softly, “We raised you some money.”

Port turned to the girls, smiled and introduced himself. He listened as the girls explained how they and their classmates had raised $200 by placing donation jars out during sixth-grade lunch periods.

“In social studies class we read a story about you in the newspaper about a spaghetti dinner [benefit], and we wanted to help,” Amber said.

Port suffers from a rare hereditary condition called neurofibromatosis that has caused large tumors to obscure the left side of his face and affect his sight and hearing. Port has consulted medical professionals about having additional surgeries — he had several procedures between age 7 and 19 — and the cost estimate has ranged anywhere from $750,000 to $1 million.

Port said he’s received about $42,000 total in donations. But maybe more priceless were dozens of cards wishing Port a happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and to get well.

Don Weyer, a substitute teacher at Austintown Middle School who is filling in for another teacher during her maternity leave, said the sixth-grade fundraiser inspired him to get other students to help.

“I wanted to do some sort of community project with the kids for the holidays, and they asked me, ‘Well, who is this Ed Port?’ So I told them about him, and they asked if they could make him cards,” Weyer said.

Weyer’s class is made up of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, all of whom have some sort of learning disability. Weyer said the project came at a perfect time.

“The best way to keep Santa alive is to think about others, not just this time of the year, but year-round,” Weyer said. “And I told them every time you do something good, you’re keeping the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of Santa alive.”

Port said he was so moved by the cards that he wanted to thank the class personally and answer any questions they had.

Ed discussed his condition briefly before opening the floor up to questions which ranged from favorite sports teams — Indians, Browns, Cavaliers and Ohio State — and restaurant — Denny’s — to whether or not his tumors hurt — they do when bumped, as nerves are affected.

He also left the kids with some advice on making it through life with a positive attitude.

“The same people who are afraid of me as adults were afraid of me as kids,” Port said. “And the same people who made fun of me as adults are the same ones who made fun of me as kids.”

To prove his appreciation, Port treated each of the students to a special treat as he handed out candy bars to all of them as they went to their next class.

jmoffett@vindy.com