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TOOELE -- Last Christmas, a teenager in Tooele faced a prognosis of possibly never being able to walk again. She spent the holidays in the hospital, and that experience changed her outlook on what's important this holiday season.
When her family asked 17-year-old Brittany Mossor what she wants for Christmas this year, "I told them I wanted to give back to Primary Children's (Medical Center)," she explained. "And, I wanted them to buy bears from Build-A-Bear and give them to the kids."
Brittany's mom, Julie Mossor, said, "She is a very special girl."
In November, Brittany took a pretty hard fall while walking down the stairs at school. "I kind of tripped down the stairs, and I had shooting pains going down my leg," she recalled.
She went to the hospital and underwent an MRI. "They found a mass on my back and said I needed to get into Primary (Children's) as soon as possible," she said.
Doctors there took a disc out of her back and put in two rods. "They also put in a cage that was full of bone graft. It's supposed to make a new bone in there," Brittany explained.
"Last year, during Christmas, I had a Build-A-Bear that my parents got me. It was with me the whole time in the hospital. It was the only thing I had to sleep with and it kind of gave me comfort," she said. "I can do that for other kids, give them a little comfort for Christmas."
Brittany's sister, Tiffany Mossor, said, "When my mom first told me that she was doing this, I actually started crying."
Brittany's sister-in-law, Danielle Mossor, nominated her for the High 5.
"I was just really inspired that Brittany took a negative spot in her life and turned it into something positive," she said. "She wanted to give back, and I think that's a huge thing about Christmas is giving instead of receiving."
Brittany's father, Gary Mossor, said, "We created a Facebook page for Britt's bears, and since we've created it, she's already gotten over $100 in donations come in from the Facebook page."
He added, "It kind of surprised me when she said she wanted to do this. It makes you a little proud."
Brittany bought 100 bears and delivered them to Primary Children's Medical Center this past week. Each bear came with a note from Brittany, along with a $5 gift certificate for the kids to dress and name their bears at any Build-A-Bear store.
Our friends at Les Schwab gave Brittany a gift of her own. Les Schwab is committed to helping us honor people like Brittany who are doing great things in the community. If you know someone who deserves a High 5, nominate them here.
