They had first met when Jeff was five. Jeff’s parents, knowing he was about to have especially difficult spinal surgery, wanted to fulfill his wish to meet his longtime “television friend” Mister Rogers. When Fred was travelling to nearby Milwaukee, they had a chance to meet. There must have been something about Jeff that resonated with Fred Rogers that day – and he was right.

Jeff was an extraordinary boy with profound disabilities. He was charming and delightful, open and honest. Mister Rogers didn’t dismiss Jeff’s disability or the difficult times “when you do feel sad.” He wanted to give Jeff a chance to talk about it and share those honest feelings with others.