Jesse Marheine recoving from industrial accident...

From the story by my article-writing alter-ego Michael D. King: "Four-year-old Ryan Marheine, in barefeet and dinosaur pajamas, gets up off the carpeted living room floor and stands in front of his dad. He knows what’s going to happen next. When Jesse Marheine grabs him by the arm and gently pulls him onto his right knee, Ryan smiles and settles in as his dad’s burn-scarred arms tenderly wrap around his chest. It’s a father-son moment that was impossible for most of the past four months. Jesse Marheine, 34, is on the slow road to recovery from severe burns over 45 percent of his body from an Oct. 25 industrial accident at his job in Neenah."

With all the people out there who literally hate the media... I'm touched that there remain people like the Marheine's (and the Meltzes) who open their lives to others, sharing their stories via our newspaper. I do think others find strength through their stories.

Jesse Marheine of Clintonville, Wis., stretches his left arm during an occupational therapy session with occupational therapist Jamie Hane, geared at improving his flexibility and range of motion, at Shawano Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, in Shawano, Wis., Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2008.

Jesse does a dexterity exercise during occupational therapy.

Jesse feels the discomfort of stretching skin on his left arm during occupational therapy with therapist Jamie Hane, right. The therapy is geared towards improving his flexibility and range of motion. In the background, Jesse's wife Erin keeps their youngest son, Ryan, 4, occupied.

Jesse places the star on top of the family Christmas tree at home with wife Erin, background, and children (not pictured). The family's tradition of Jesse putting the finishing touches on the tree had to be delayed this holiday season because of his medical condition.