In 2015, George Pickering made headlines for doing something both desperate and extraordinary. His son, George Pickering III, had suffered a massive stroke and was declared brain dead by doctors. The hospital staff advised the family to remove life support. They said there was no hope.
But George Pickering Sr. didn’t believe that. Deep down, he knew his son was still there. In a moment of absolute conviction, George Sr. did something radical: he refused to allow the machines to be turned off. In fact, he went so far as to brandish a firearm to make sure no one pulled the plug on his boy.
It was an act of desperation, but also one of unshakable love. And incredibly — George Pickering III began to show signs of life. Against all odds, he recovered. The doctors were wrong. A father’s intuition, faith, and refusal to surrender kept his son alive.
What We Can Learn
The George Pickering story is about more than just a miraculous recovery. It’s about the power of hope when the world says there’s none. It’s about fighting for the people you love, even when society, experts, or systems tell you to let go.
How many of our young men are written off every day? How many are declared “lost causes” because of mistakes, circumstances, or statistics? Like George Sr., sometimes we have to stand in the gap and refuse to give up. That’s what mentoring is — saying, I believe in you, even when others don’t.
Mentoring as Advocacy
At JustINSPIRE Mentoring, I see the same parallels. When a young man is struggling with school, facing the weight of trauma, or tempted to give up, he doesn’t just need someone to “advise” him. He needs someone to fight for him — someone who refuses to let the world declare him gone.
Mentors, parents, and educators must sometimes go against the grain, holding onto faith and persistence until change comes. That doesn’t mean brandishing weapons like George Sr., but it does mean having the courage to be bold in defense of our young men’s futures.
The Bigger Message
The George Pickering story reminds us that love, persistence, and belief can revive more than just bodies — they can revive hope, dignity, and purpose. Our boys need that same level of advocacy. When the world writes them off, we must stand firm and say, “Not yet. He’s still here.”
Closing Call-to-Action
At JustINSPIRE Mentoring, we are committed to being that voice of belief, that presence of accountability, and that force of advocacy for young men. If you’ve ever felt the urge to step in and make a difference, now is the time.
👉 Join our movement today — as a mentor, as a supporter, or by connecting a young man who needs guidance. Together, we can ensure no one gets written off too soon.
