Open Letter from Mr David Rutledge

Dear IST Parents and Families,

As most of you are aware I was involved in a pretty serious car accident over the summer. This has taken a fair amount out of me both physically and emotionally.  I have never been in an accident before much less in one that almost took my life.

I would like to take an opportunity to thank the parents and families at IST for all your care, support and help throughout this time. Although I am obviously a long way from my family and friends back home in Australia, I have received more love and comfort here than I could have ever imagined.

I have been treated extremely well by everyone at this school from the moment I arrived here over two years ago. I have been really lucky to form some very close bonds with many of the kids and families that I have taught here over the years and many people at this school have shown me so much love and have done so much for me since I have been here in Tucson.

 However, the response I received from this recent ordeal has been overwhelming to say the least. From people sending me cards, letters, messages, emails, phone calls when the accident occurred in Memphis to people cooking for me, offering medical and physical therapy help, to people offering up their guest houses or spare rooms to people offering me the use of their cars or pools to people bringing me lunch or vouchers or cake or food (which has unfortunately illustrated how bad my own cooking really is). I could not have asked for a more caring and loving group of people and I feel unbelievably lucky to have this community in my life.

It is extremely important for me to convey how unbelievably thankful and appreciative I am of all the help and love you have shown me over the past few months. I am feeling more and more like my old self every day and a big reason for that is because I have you as a support network in my life.

 I am under no illusions as to how fortunate I am and I am not sure how many other teachers or people  would be as lucky as I have been in a similar situation.

Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done and are still doing for me, I will never forget it!

David Rutledge