This story is archived

Boy who slept in trash bin is student of the year »

Posted by: 1-2-Oscar 2 years, 7 months ago

Archived 37 0 drops

Eleven-year-old D.J. Graffree didn't realize he was a child. For much of his life, he was a cocky kid who didn't need any adults to look after him or tell him what to do. He was always in and out of schools in his small town outside of Jackson, Miss. He spent a lot of times out on the streets. At one point, he slept in a trash bin to stay war

Read Full Story at msnbc.msn.com »

Submitted By:

1-2-Oscar

This Story is Archived and Commenting is Closed

Comments: 30

Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
1-2-Oscar
May 24, 2007, 1:02 p.m.
"He never had a chance to play or never had a birthday party," she said. "He's missed out on a lot of his childhood things."
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
1-2-Oscar
May 24, 2007, 1:03 p.m.
"Sometimes we have to make sacrifices, you know," said Lewis, who also cared for her ailing mother for 16 years.
"God wants me to just care for people and that's what I do ..."
Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)
mozzer
May 24, 2007, 5:14 p.m.
Wow. It's hard to believe he's only 11! It's both heartbreaking and very inspiring. Nice find.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Beeboppin71
May 24, 2007, 5:20 p.m.

Aww. There's actually a tear in my eye. What a great kid!
Avg rating: (+1/-0 1)
not2needy
May 24, 2007, 5:33 p.m.
What a kid, and such a touching success story.
I think imma cry! That was so great.
Thanks for sharing with us Mozz!
Avg rating: (+14/-1 13)
dadesider
May 24, 2007, 5:39 p.m.
THX for the heads up mozz, nice to see a positive story....
Avg rating: (+1/-9 -8)
BronxBomber
May 24, 2007, 5:42 p.m.
Amazing! I had to wait until I was 16! Kudo's to that kid!
Avg rating: (+11/-1 10)
Formidable
May 24, 2007, 5:44 p.m.
Great story 1-2. We could all learn something from this young man. NS gets so depressing with the bickering and name calling, that it refreshing to have a feel good thread. Thank you very much!
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
kctrixter
May 24, 2007, 5:49 p.m.
Prison or student of the year. D.J. seems headed down the right road, and he certainly has my respect and best wishes.
Avg rating: (+11/-2 9)
natashas
May 24, 2007, 5:57 p.m.
This is such an amazing and inspiring story. Most parents feel like they can not help there own children become better people, and look at what this couple did for that young boy.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Radiofreeeuropa
May 24, 2007, 6:14 p.m.
It's a mighty long way from dumpster to success. good story.
Avg rating: (+10/-1 9)
puffin
May 24, 2007, 6:44 p.m.
Nice post. This will have a big impact on his life. Earned respect - for his own self. And respect for others, as he showed at a young age.
Avg rating: (+6/-0 6)
MacR
May 24, 2007, 10:06 p.m.
Sometimes news here can be so bad. It is nice to see a story like this. Goes to prove that you put your mind to it you can do anything.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
1-2-Oscar
May 24, 2007, 10:46 p.m.
I appreciate all who have voted for this story and commented upon it. your positive response is gratifying.
However, I would be remisss if I did not point something out to you. In spite of receiving 23 votes and fifteen comments in its first nine hours, this story has not reached Netscape's front page. Nor its second page. Nor its third , fourth, or fifth page. In fact, as far as Netscape's vaunted recognition system is concerned, this story does not exist.
This is not simply sour grapes on my part, but a legitimate criticism of the system. The story "Thirty years later, 'Star Wars' force still being felt" has reached the front page in 11 hours with 14 votes and no comments. "The bikini: a feminist issue" is on the front page with 16 votes and no comments in 20 hours.
No less than seven submissions now on the front page have received fewer votes and fewer comments.
It seems likely that another form of editorial control is being practiced here.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
natashas
May 24, 2007, 11:20 p.m.
Sorry I can not be of help. I will say that you are very correct on the voting. I never even look at the front page anymore. I go directly to my friends list or my messages for the submissions. I do not even waste my time anymore with the front page. This was a great submission, I can not see why this should not be on the front page.
Avg rating: (+0/-7 -7)
ETproductions
May 25, 2007, 1:51 a.m.
He certainly says something profound about the resilience of the human character. It would have been so easy to be crushed by such circumstances.
palamaComment has been removed: User banned.
Avg rating: (+0/-1 -1)
1basque1
May 26, 2007, 8:13 p.m.
This story took me a while to get to, but I must say with tears flowing...it was well worth it...
Thank-you mozzer for sending it to me...
So sad , but heart warming....
NEVER give up HOPE !