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An Eagle Scout’s triumph

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — There is no better testament to the strength of the human spirit than, when faced with overwhelming adversity, one perseveres and achieves an extraordinary level of success.

Such an example of the human spirit is evident in the journey of one young man, who was celebrated Sunday for achieving the rare honor of Eagle Scout.

Patrick Emery, 18, was honored by family, friends and local government officials for being awarded the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America. It is an accomplishment that only five percent of all Scouts have accomplished since 1912. In addition to being among a determined group of young men who achieved the distinction, Patrick also sets himself apart in another way. He is a kidney transplant patient who suffers from chronic kidney disease.

“He’s had to overcome a lot of adversity,” said Troop 44 Scout Master Paul Urban.

In May 2003, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Disease, which meant kidney failure was imminent and he would need to undergo replacement therapy immediately.

It was then that his mother, Anita, helped organize numerous fundraisers and benefits in honor of Patrick. “We were able to raise several thousand dollars,” she said, “Enough to cover the hospital bills and cover the costs of his monthly medications.”

An avid skier, kayaker and soccer player, Patrick was sidelined for several seasons when he received the diagnosis, though he was still able to keep up with his school work and determined to make his way to Eagle Scout. Patrick endured eight months of dialysis treatment at the pediatric unit of Albany Medical Center until the family could find a kidney donor.

On March 8, 2004, Patrick underwent transplant surgery after a donor was found who matched the antigen testing — his father.

If his father, William, had not matched, Patrick would have been added to the kidney transplant waiting list, which was reported by the National Kidney Foundation to have a wait time of three years for those listed in 1999.

Since the transplant Patrick has been able to live a relatively normal teenage life. He was able to graduate on time this past spring with the Class of 2008, having dedicated himself to staying abreast of all his school work. Something Anita says is unusual among kidney transplant recipients. “They usually have to delay graduation,” she said, “but the school district has been very supportive.”

And now, Patrick has joined an elite group of Scouts that will put him in a class among great American leaders, including Astronauts Neil Armstrong and James Lovell, movie director Steven Spielberg, Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg, and 38th President of the United States Gerald Ford, to name a few.

Patrick also helped rebuild his community along the way. His Eagle Scout project was restoring the sacristy of the Church of St. Patrick, which took months of preparation and hard work. He began the planning stages in October 2007 and lead a group of volunteers in rebuilding the cabinetry, cupboards, counter tops and sink so that clergy of the present and future could take full advantage of the sacristy.

A bevy of community members and government officials rallied behind Patrick during his times of strife, as well as during this time of celebration. Catskill Town Supervisor Peter Markou was among several who commended him for his resilience.

“One of the favorite parts of my job is to recognize the very specials moments of our town that separate the exceptional from the mundane,” he said to Patrick, “and what you have done is exceptional.”

Patrick was presented with a proclamation from the town of Catskill as well as commendation from Greene County Sheriff Greg Seeley, the village of Catskill by Angelo Amato, Assemblyman Peter Lopez, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus, among others.

Colin Tumey, chairman of the Mohican District of the Rip Van Winkle Council of the Boys Scouts of America, reminded everyone in the Elk’s hall that no boy becomes an Eagle Scout without the love and support of his family, and to always remember: “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”

The next triumph for Patrick is to overcome the challenge of obtaining a college education. He will be studying culinary arts at Schenectady County Community College. He hopes to extend the values of service that have been instilled through his journey toward Eagle.

With aspirations to be a food health inspector, Patrick says, “I just want to help and keep people safe.”

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