By:Cindy J. Roth
Paralyzed police officer speaks to Mepham students about power of forgiveness
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedy, a paralyzed police officer and local author recently addressed W.C. Mepham High School students about the power of non-violent conflict resolution and forgiveness, telling them that anger serves no purpose.
As a New York City police officer in 1986, Steven McDonald was shot in Central Park while questioning three teenagers.
"I thought I saw a gun in the sock of the 13-year-old boy, and when I went to get it, the 15-year-old had a gun in his hand and pointed it at my face," said McDonald, 44, of Malverne. "There was a large explosion, and I saw a reddish-orange flame. I fell back, and then the boy shot me in the throat and then shot me a third time. I felt numbness."
At the time of the shooting, McDonald had been married less than a year, and his wife was two months pregnant. Since the shooting, McDonald has been paralyzed from the neck down and is confined to a wheelchair, needing a tracheotomy tube to breathe.
McDonald explained to the students who filled Mepham's gymnasium that he had every right to be bitter and angry toward his assailant. He would never be able to hug his son. But McDonald holds no anger or resentment. Instead, he forgave the shooter, Shavod Jones, and became friendly with him in an attempt to bring peace and purpose to the then-teenager's life.
"As most people with disabilities would confirm, there can be a spiritual advantage resulting from physical disadvantages," McDonald said. "The only thing worse than the bullet in my spine would have been revenge thereafter in my heart.
"I say that because revenge in my heart would have extended my tragic injury into my soul, affecting my wife, son and others in a negative way. It is bad enough that the physical effects are permanent, but at least we are each free to prevent spiritual injury from occurring."
McDonald's story has been captured by author Johann Christoph Arnold in the book "Be Not Afraid and Why Forgive." Arnold is a pastor of the Bruderhof, an international Christian movement dedicated to community and non-violence. Arnold met McDonald two years ago, and together they created Project Reconciliation, which brings a non-violent message to strife-torn regions around the world.
Their message has become particularly poignant since Sept. 11. Both men were close friends of the late Mychal Judge, chaplain of the New York Fire Department, who was killed during collapse of the Twin Towers while administering last rites to a fellow rescue worker. Judge had often shared the stage with McDonald and Arnold during speaking engagements.
Mepham students were taken back by McDonald's strength of character. Many wondered what motivates him to get up every day and face the world.
"I take it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time," McDonald said. "Everyone is special. You can make a difference in the world if you are loving and forgiving and pledge non-violence."
Mepham Principal John Didden called McDonald's speech amazing and inspirational.
"Students were awed by the notion that a person suffering from a life-changing injury could come to peace with the person who inflicted that change of life," Didden said.
McDonald had a huge impact on students in the gymnasium that day, Didden said. The officer showed them that forgiveness is always better than the eye-for-an-eye justice they find so often in the movies.
