Daniel Theiss of Venture Crew 21 from Dan Beard Council, headquarted in Cincinnati, Ohio has had no ordinary Scouting experience. By the age of seventeen, Daniel had already undergone open heart surgery. By age eighteen, he had also undergone brain surgery and his second open heart surgery. Now, in honor of all that Daniel has overcome, the six national officers of the Order of the Arrow are sending him a special sash. The sash was signed by National Chief Matt Brown, National Vice Chief Jordan Hughes and Northeast Region Chief Tyler Allen. The three other region chiefs each plan to sign the sash soon.
Daniel and his identical twin brother Forrest Theiss have been diagnosed with an aggressive, nameless condition that causes their blood vessel walls to be easily damaged. After his second open heart surgery, Daniel slowly lost feeling in his legs and was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury that has paralyzed him from the waist down.
At William Mason High School in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dan was highly involved at school. In addition to Scouting, Dan ran track and field and cross country. Dan was also very involved in clubs inside and outside of school such as robotics club, drama club, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. He also played trumpet for his school's jazz band and practiced karate.
Northeast Region Chief Tyler Allen could relate to the fellow runner. "I myself am a collegiate distance runner, and understand the determination needed to finish the race. Daniel's race is one of true integrity, and I know our Scouting family will help in any way we can," Allen said. "We hope the sash that we have signed brings a smile and some encouragement to our Brother."