When school started again, Randy told Paddy how pleased and surprised he and his parents had been by the gifts.

"Aunt Katie told me she was sending you something," Paddy said. "I told her about you when she phoned before Christmas."

"I didn’t know you’d been teased that much," Randy admitted, "It sounds nasty."

Paddy was about to reply when the buzzer signaling the end of recess sounded.

"Can you come home with me after school?" Randy asked as they headed for class.

"Sure," Paddy answered. "Mum’s never home before five, and Dad’s away on business this week. If your mum doesn’t mind, I’ll leave a message on Mum’s voice mail."

Paddy’s story was a shocking one. Things hadn’t been bad in kindergarten, but by first grade the trouble had begun. A classmate had noticed his diapers as he changed in to PE strip one day, and things had gone downhill from there. Word of his diaper-wearing had spread through the school like wildfire. Despite the teachers’ efforts, he’d been tormented almost continuously. Students kept asking how he could handle first grade if he couldn’t keep his pants dry. Others claimed that they didn’t want to play with a big baby and flatly refused to let him join in anything. He’d done his very best to ignore them, devoting himself to schoolwork. Nevertheless, he became horribly lonely and grew to hate being around anyone except adults. Some kids had tried to be friends, but they in turn got laughed at for "playing with a baby."

Paddy had met the Morrisons when he and Lanny had been classmates in third grade. While their friendship was a blessing, he’d still felt lonely, convinced that he was the only kid his age who needed diapers. This was why he’d been so glad to meet Randy.

"I didn’t believe it when Lanny first told me about you," he admitted, "or I would have looked for you. Why’s everybody so cruel?"

"I wish I knew," Randy said. "It’s not fair."

Soon after this, Paddy, Randy and the Morrisons formed a little study group. They were soon joined by Cindy Lewis, a classmate of Lanny’s, who had been blind since the age of three. She too was often teased and left out of games. Keith, being the eldest, did his best to help the others. Randy’s tendency to be a role model didn’t bother him in the least. It was rather an odd group in several ways. Keith was the oldest, (Cindy was 5mths younger), but Randy was the biggest and strongest.

Grace was pleased with the way things were turning out for Randy and Paddy. Paddy’s story had made her want to cry, and Shane had huffed with anger at his torment. Now, here he was with a group of people who accepted him for what he was, not judging him by what he wore.

"Funny," she remarked over dinner one evening in April, "how things can change when you least expect."

The little group stayed together for the rest of the school year. They saw to it that Cindy was included as much as possible, describing things as well as they could. She in turn did her best to teach the boys about blindness and how she had to live.

When the year finally ended, and report cards came out, all five received good grades. Even Cindy, whose marks had fluctuated widely throughout the year, finished with a C-plus, better than she or her parents had dared hope for.

"Did you know there’s a summer camp for disabled kids?" Cindy asked one bright June day.

"I’ve heard of such camps," Paddy replied, "but they’re expensive. Besides, I don’t know if needing diapers would count. I’m not disabled in any other way."

"Me neither," Randy added.

"Where is this camp?" asked Grace, who’d heard their discussion through the open patio door.

Cindy gave her the brochure she’d brought along. Grace studied it.

"I’m afraid we’ve missed the deadline to sign up this year," she said. "Is it held every summer?"

"Yes," answered Cindy. "I’ve been going since I was 8."

"Would needing diapers count as being disabled if there’s nothing else wrong?" Randy asked.

"I don’t see why not," Grace said. "It says kids aged 8 to 12 with any physical disability may attend the camp. Maybe you can go next summer."

"Too bad we’ll have to miss this one," Paddy said sadly. "At least we’ll be back at school in September."

At this point, Cindy’s father arrived to take her home. Paddy and the Morrisons left half an hour later. That evening, Grace showed Shane the camp brochure Cindy had left.

"Let’s call the administrators," Shane suggested. "Maybe Randy could go as an assistant or something."

"I’d like that," Randy said, "but would that be allowed on my first trip?"

"Even if it isn’t," Shane reasoned, "it might encourage them to include those who need diapers. Think how much better Paddy’s felt since you made friends. I bet there are loads of other boys and girls out there who all think they’re the only one their age who wear diapers. If they could meet each other, it’d make all the difference in their lives."

Grace and Randy nodded in agreement.

"Do you think Barry might know of a camp for diaper wearers?" Shane asked presently.

"Now why didn’t I think of that?" Grace laughed. "I’ll ask him."

It so happened that Barry dropped in just after school had let out. Grace told him of Shane’s idea, and showed him the camp brochure they’d saved.

"There are camps for teens and adults," Barry said, "but I don’t know of anything for kids apart from day camps for pre-schoolers. Still, one never knows."

Randy ended up spending the summer at home. Paddy came over almost every day to play with him. Barry too was a frequent visitor, often popping in on Saturdays. His hearty nature rubbed off on everyone.

By mid July, Randy was going around the house in just diapers. With the intense heat, he now understood the sense behind it. Eventually, Paddy gained enough courage to do likewise. Cindy, of course, had gone to the camp, and the Morrisons had gone to Australia to visit relatives. Everyone enjoyed their holidays.

Cindy returned from the camp at the end of July, and was soon playing with paddy and Randy. The Morrisons wouldn’t be back until late August, but they sent letters every week. All looked forward to seeing each other at school in September.