One little girl striving to make a big difference

It’s just after 4 p.m. on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, and Jordan Webster is tired from a long day at school. Most five year old children would be facing nap time after school, but Jordan is off to her standing appointment at Southland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Peachtree City to read to the elderly residents.

This is what Jordan does most Wednesday afternoons. When she isn’t taking karate lessons, tap, ballet or jazz classes, swimming lessons or gym class, Jordan can be found reading to various residents at Southland before heading over to GodStuff at Peachtree City United Methodist Church.

Today’s recipient of Jordan’s reading prowess is Bana Cottle, a 92 year old woman who came to Southland last year after suffering a stroke. Cottle is an accomplished artist whose quick wit and excellent memory make her a fascinating storyteller. After her stroke left her right hand unusable, she taught herself to paint with her left hand, something she had never done before. Her paintings hang on the walls at Southland and the images, which include farm scenes from her past, are remarkable, especially when her circumstances, age and disabilities are taken into consideration.

While spending time in Cottle’s room, Jordan studies with great interest and attention the paintings of butterflies that hang on Cottle’s walls and photographs from a scrapbook featuring other pieces Cottle has painted.

Jordan states with authority that she wants to be “an artist and an illustrator” when she grows up. Her precocious statement might seem rehearsed for many five year olds, but Jordan’s confidence and sincerity demonstrate that she knows precisely what an illustrator is and that she has put thought into her future career choice. Jordan’s desire to be an illustrator was born out of her experiences illustrating the stories she has written.

“I’ve written some beach stories,” said Jordan. “And some kingdom and shout stories.” The “kingdom and shout stories” have come as a result of her participation in the children's program, GodStuff, she explained.

Jordan’s maturity isn’t limited to her knowledge of art, however. She began reading at the remarkably young age of two.

“Everyone that’s been involved with her, her mom and grandparents and I, we’ve all read to her every night for 30 to 45 minutes,” said John Webster, Jordan’s father. “We normally fall asleep before she does. She just keeps going.”

Kelly Webster, Jordan’s mother, affirmed that Jordan has been read to nightly since she was an infant.

John also recalls the first time he realized that Jordan was smart, “I can remember reading to her when she was really small, like one and a half, and I would bring books to her. After the first couple of times that I would read it, she would look at the page and she could recite word for word what was on the page, from memory. She couldn’t read yet, but she learned to associate the exact wording by looking at the picture.”

John said he would test her by showing her the pictures and she would recite the story verbatim every time. “That’s when I was like ‘whoa.’ I realized she was smarter than me,” John said with a laugh.

Kelly Webster credits Jordan’s sense of curiosity as part of her advanced social and intellectual abilities.

“One thing about Jordan is her curiosity,” noted Kelly. “Awhile back I bought her a doll named Curiosity. There isn’t a thing that Jordan has a question about that she doesn’t ask you. Her mind is constantly going and she’s curious about everything, even some things she shouldn’t know.”

Kelly said she looked into enrolling Jordan in public school this year, but her late birth date and age didn’t allow for that. Instead, Jordan was enrolled at Counterpane Montessori where her age isn’t much of a factor in her ability to learn. “I moved her to Counterpane because of her curiosity, so she could learn at her own pace,” explained Kelly. “I think that has helped nurture her, and increased her knowledge in the last six months because they don’t limit her by age.” Jordan is part of a program for children ages 4-7 at the Fayetteville school.

Jordan’s favorite book is “The Three Little Pigs” which she said she first read when she was four. “I also like ‘This Little Piggy's Book of Manners’,” Jordan noted. A fine book for a little girl who can carry on a conversation with adults with elegance and poise. Her favorite books to read at Southland are mystery books and Scooby Doo books, she added.

Ms. Thompson, Jordan’s babysitter, first took Jordan over to Southland about three months ago to read and they have continued to visit, normally twice a week, ever since.

“She just loves to help people,” Thompson said, her pride at Jordan’s helpful nature clear in her voice. “We went there and she read and they loved it.”

Thompson also recalls the time when Turning Pointe dance studio was collecting blankets and warm, winter clothing for children in need.

“Jordan went home and pulled every last blanket out of her closet, including her specially made Raggedy Ann doll blanket,” Thompson said. She begged her mother to let her donate them all.

“She’s just incredible,” said Thompson.

Recently Jordan and Thompson went shopping for socks, hats and gloves for children who might need them. “She said, ‘Everyone deserves to get something for Christmas’,” Thompson explained.

Of her continued interest in visiting Southland, Jordan said, “I like to read. And I like to make people happy.”

And happy she makes them. Emma Mahama, Resident Care Coordinator at Southland, has known Thompson and Jordan for quite some time now. She said that Jordan will read to any resident who wants to listen and that the residents love to get a visit from Jordan.

“It’s showing them love,” Mahama stated. “It’s caring for them.”

Back in Bana Cottle’s room Jordan Webster is reading Richard Scarry’s “The Early Bird” to a rapt Cottle. Her ability to bring the story to life comes with her inflection and tone: Jordan is an old hat at this.

One day in the not-too-distant future, Jordan will likely be the author and illustrator of the books another clever and big hearted young child will read to seniors. Until then, however, she will keep spreading the love and cheer that only a child can.

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