A typical person will interact with 80,000 individuals in his or her lifetime. That may sound like a lot — because it is. Most people walking down the hallway are so focused on those walking next to them that they never take the time to learn the stories of all those others just passing by. However, two things can be said with absolute certainty: first, the Chartier triplets are not typical; and second, the stories of these brothers are three out of 80,000 that should not be missed.

The Boys’ Background

Born under precarious circumstances, Spencer, Corbin, and Jackson Chartier faced immediate medical complications following their delivery. For starters, they were 13 weeks premature. After one week, Spencer suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding of the lungs) and required a 30-minute resuscitation process. In order to get off the ventilator, a part of his lung had to be removed.

Corbin’s lungs tore, resulting in extremely slow growth. Jackson, on the other hand, was known as “Steady Eddy” in the hospital, as he did not face the same ups and downs as his brothers, the boys’ mother, Peg Chartier, stated.

Spencer, Jackson, and Corbin are also living with cerebral palsy, which is a movement disorder that has impacted the boys in their physical development.

“The muscle tightness slowed all of those developmental milestones — crawling and walking,” Peg said.

In elementary school, they all underwent osteotomies (surgically cutting bones to realign them). The recovery of this kind of painful surgery requires a slow relearning of simple tasks, such as walking and bending over.

Roots in Omaha

Raised 500 miles west of Chicago, the Chartier brothers grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, a place they still consider home. They were able to grow up surrounded by family members such as cousins and grandparents, and by the time they moved at the age of 8 years old, they had built solid relationships with their grandparents, which last to this day.

“Nebraska is where the family is, so they had fantastic exposure to their grandparents,” commented Mrs. Chartier. “I think that that helps shape who you are, when you know where you come from.”

Despite having settled in Libertyville, the brothers haven’t forgotten their roots; they visit

their family at least twice a year, heading to their uncle’s farm, where they recreationally shoot and socialize with their dad’s side of the family.

“We like to just go hang out with them, have fun, laugh with each other,” mentioned Jackson. “That is our vacation. Our vacation is going back home.”

Transition to Libertyville

Medically, the move proposed possible complications. However, the transition to new doctors in Chicago was smooth and reliable. Born in a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Omaha, the family sought care from another Miracle Network Hospital upon their move. They received such quality care from one hospital in particular, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital, that the whole Chartier family now speaks and fundraises on its behalf.

Similarly, the move to a new school necessitated that the district have an established understanding of Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, which strive to make educational goals for students with disabilities more individualized and attainable. “It was only District 70 that gave me real concrete answers,” Peg said. “So I knew that if we moved somewhere inside District 70, the boys were going to be taken care of, and that’s the truth.”

Since their move in the middle of second grade, which they said was difficult at first, the boys have come to love the community of Libertyville.

“It’s been a blessing being out here, meeting new people, and getting to be in an area that everyone cares about,” Corbin explained.

The Chartier triplets immersed themselves at Copeland Manor School where, foreshadowing their reception at Libertyville High School, they were welcomed with open arms by the students and faculty.

“Copeland could not have been more welcoming to them. Libertyville is really an amazing place to live. Not everybody has this type of experience. So we just we really got lucky where we landed,” commented Peg.

Life at LHS

Here at LHS, the Chartier brothers demonstrate qualities that the students and staff both admire. All three of them were chosen as 2016 Homecoming Escorts, exemplifying their sportsmanship and citizenship, among other qualities, that stand out to the high school’s community.

When Corbin’s name was announced first on “Wake Up, Wildcats!” Spencer was thrilled for his brother’s good fortune.

“Oh, huzzah! Good for him! He’s going to escort a pretty lady,” he exclaimed, laughing. Spencer and Jackson’s names soon followed. Their reactions were predictable in that they affirmed the qualities for which they were chosen.

Just take it from them (Q&A).

Amelia Schmitt, a member of the Sweet Sixteen, was thrilled to have been escorted by Spencer, her longtime friend.

“Walking out with Spencer was truly such an honor. He is the most kind, caring, and sweet boy I know. He has such a big heart and I am beyond grateful that I got to share that experience with him,” she explained.

Big Moment

When asked what her proudest moment as the mother of her sons, Peg affectionately responded: “That is impossible to define in one moment because there are so many things — you know every time you face milestones like these young men have faced, you’re thrilled when they can overcome it… I think anytime your kids start to realize their own dreams — that’s what makes you proud. That’s the big moment.”

Walking Down the Hallways

Spencer, Corbin, and Jackson are three individuals who embody the openness, empathy, and respect that Libertyville prides itself on. And while words on paper can’t encapsulate their  cheerful disposition, they can provide a glimpse of their down-to-earth character.

So here’s one last bit of sweet realization that just might impart a desire to discover the stories of those passing right by.

You meet approximately 80,000 people in your life. Make them count.

Q&A with the Chartiers

What are you involved in at LHS?

Spencer: I’m involved in Wildcat Productions, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and

Best Buddies — we’re all involved in [FCA].

Corbin: I’m on the football team and the wrestling team, and also on ACE (Athletes

Committed to Excellence), and FCA as well.

Jackson: I’m a cross country runner; I’m a wrestler. I’m on FCA -actually a leader for

FCA.  And I’m a leader in ACE.

What’s your favorite activity?

Spencer: My favorite activity –well in school– is definitely Best Buddies. You know, I’m in

a leadership role this year. I’m the Buddy coordinator so I help coordinate the meetings —

things like what games we play. I just love to meet new people, it’s one of my favorite

activities in school.

Corbin:  My favorite thing to do outside of school is practice my kicking for football. I

always think I’m going to forget my steps when I’m out there so I just want to constantly

be getting them down so I don’t have to think about it when I’m out there.

Jackson: I’m building my own car at the moment. It’s a ‘65 Buick Skylark…I’ve had the car

for about two years now. It’s getting close to being done. And during school, I like running

and I like wrestling. Those are my two biggest things at the school, besides, obviously,

going to Tech Campus for automotive. And then after college I plan to go do automotive

and diesel technology and get my degree in high performance and go work for NASCAR.

What is your favorite thing about Spencer?

Corbin: His personality. He’s always meeting people and it’s fun to see him hanging with

Charlie [Burrows] every day at school.

Jackson: I would definitely say his sense of humor and his wit. He has a wit like no one

else around… He’s a very funny person and I think that’s a very good quality to have, and

I’m glad he’s got it.

Spencer: Thank you, I’m blushing.

What’s your favorite thing about Corbin?

Spencer: He’s determined at everything. When you tell him he can’t do something, he will go immediately in the other direction and buckle down and do it. He marches to his own drum.

Jackson: I would say the same thing. He definitely at times is a little fireball, but I think the

most genuine aspect is that he cares about people…that’s a good quality.

What’s your favorite thing about Jackson?

Spencer: I’d have to say my favorite thing about Jackson is that… he’s not afraid to get

down and dirty. He’s ready to do that tough, back-breaking manual labor that a lot of

people would wuss out of.

Corbin: My favorite thing is how when he’s on the wrestling mat, he’s just going at it

110%. If anyone tries to go for his upper body he’ll just turn them around and completely

destroy them.

How does it feel to be chosen for the Homecoming Honor Court?

Spencer: “All three of us have this once in a lifetime high honor, and it’s just amazing to

have that honor by yourself, but to get to share it with your siblings, it’s truly like a planets

align once in a hundred years kind of thing.”

Corbin: “When I saw their names on the board I was like, ‘Well! Looks like mom and dad

are going to be happy tonight.’  It’s just a blessing to know that all three of us are on it and

to know that the school thinks very highly of all three of us.”

Jackson: “To think that I was one of 16 chosen by the 200 adults that work in this school,

it was shocking because I didn’t think I deserved it. People would talk to me about it like

‘you’re the perfect person they’re looking for.’ I would say I really don’t see myself in that

way, I just see myself as a good person.”