By Scott Brinton
Born with a congenital heart defect, the Kennedy High School junior has endured three heart transplants -- yes, three -- and a five-month bout with lymphoma. Josh has spent much of his life in hospitals. He has endured more physical pain and emotional turmoil than most people do in a lifetime. Yet he's upbeat, friendly and quick with a kind word for his family and friends. He does not resent his fate.
Indeed, Josh is wise beyond his years. He understands how precious life is. He savors each day with a warm smile. He is an inspiration to all around him.
To celebrate Josh's indomitable spirit, the non-profit Heather on Earth Music Foundation will honor him with its Purple Heart of Courage Award at a dinner on Feb. 12 at the Garden City Hotel.
Merokean Geri Fessler is Heather on Earth's founder. She started the group four years ago in honor of her daughter, Heather, who died in 1985 of a brain tumor at age 5. Heather would have been 26 this year.
Heather on Earth funds full-time music therapists at three hospitals: Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park, Maria Ferari Children's Hospital in Westchester and the Schneider Medical Center in Israel.
Along with Lentin, Heather on Earth is honoring Gary Segal, president of Five Star Electric Corporation, for his continued financial support of the organization.
Fessler, the mother of three other daughters, Taryn, Shaina and Gillian, says she founded the organization because she saw firsthand the enormous comfort that music therapy offers children who are suffering from the worst diseases.
Josh's parents, Karen and Michael Lentin, gush with pride when they speak of their son. "He's a typical 16-year-old in many respects," says Michael. "In terms of what he's been through, he has more courage than anybody I've ever met or anyone I will meet."
Karen says, "We're overwhelmed with the thought that [Heather on Earth] believed he deserved this honor. We knew he deserved it. We're very touched." Karen adds that Josh is "as good as gold and as tough as nails."
Fessler says Josh "is miraculous. The community is so excited to celebrate his life."
Josh is incredibly close to his younger sister, Samantha, 14. "He and his sister have a special relationship," says Michael Lentin. "She is very protective of him. He asked for his sister when he had his first transplant" -- at age 3.
Michael, who owns a window factory, was feeling nervous when he recently had back surgery, and so he sought his son's counsel. The normally self-confident company president wondered how he would get through an operation. "Dad," Josh replied, "you've just got to let it play out." His father was fine.
Josh also served as an inspiration to the late John Davis, a 49-year-old Merrick Board of Education trustee who died of a brain tumor last summer. Davis, a longtime Lentin family friend, bravely fought the tumor for nearly a year, often speaking with Josh. "Josh gave him strength," says Michael, who was Davis's running partner. He adds, "John was always there for Josh."
Josh made a lifelong pledge to look out for Davis's 8-year-old son, Harrison. Josh is also writing his autobiography. Thus far, he's finished 23 pages. No doubt, he has lessons to teach us all.
Comments about this story? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
