Boston 25 News
A teacher in Massachusetts recently adopted a former student after his mother died from breast cancer, Boston News25 reported.
The student, 14, has Down syndrome and moved with his mom to Massachusetts for her to receive better treatment.
The teacher said she was instantly drawn to the student, and decided to offer the mother her help.
A Massachusetts teacher recently adopted one of her former students with Down syndrome after his mother died from breast cancer.
Special education teacher Kerry Bremer met 14-year-old Jake Manning four years ago and was instantly drawn to him, Boston News25 reported.
During class, Bremer said Manning would jump around the classroom full of energy and pretend to be Batman.
"And then the next minute he would be the sweetest little guy, who was looking you directly in the eyes and telling you he loved you," Bremer told CNN. "You can't help but love him."
Bremer said she knew Manning's mother Jean Manning had terminal cancer that metastasized in her brain, and decided to call Jean to offer help, ABC reported.
Bremer said she knew Jean was a single mother, and that her family wouldn't be able to take Manning in.
Jean moved to Massachusetts to get better medical treatment.
Speaking to the "Today" show, Bremer said she told Jean: "I may be overstepping here and forgive me if I am, but my family and I would like to offer guardianship for Jake if you need a backup plan."
"She said, 'I'll sleep better tonight than I have in a very long time.' Her biggest fear was what would happen to Jake after she passed."
Jean died in November while Manning was at school.
He moved into Bremer's house and joined her family. Bremer said the boy has been spending more time with her family the past three years to make the adjustment easier.
In a Facebook post after Jean's death in November, Bremer said they will make sure to keep Jean's memory alive.
"Jeanie Manning became a 'Queen Angel.' She fought a long, hard and often very unfair battle with cancer," Bremer wrote.
"As a result of her passing, we will love, protect and treasure Jake just as we promised. He will live with us forever and we will keep her memory, her love, her determination, and her beautiful smile alive in his heart and ours every day."
"We love you 'Queen Angel Mom.' Fly high and watch over us every day. 'Our boy' will miss you terribly, but we've got this!"
Read the original article on Insider