July school podcast

Happy 2nd Birthday Nate!

Atlanta, GA Trip, Savanah and Misc

Atlanta, GA Coca Cola

Atlanta, GA CNN

Atlanta, GA Aquarium

Special Friend

Deaf Blind Conference 2012 - Picture Slideshow

Sunday's school podcast - Graduation

School podcast Bike Friday

Timmy's class party

Hearts of Steel by Vanessa Bishop

This poem was written by Timmy's teacher, Vanessa Bishop.  So touching and true.

Emily's Zoo Inquiry

Emily's first grade class with their Zoo Inquiry.  Each child had to choose a different animal to report on.

True Friendship

A True Friend isn't judgemental or have low expectations of you, like your parents or teachers may have. A True Friend only expects you to be who you are and the best that you can be.

 

A True Friend doesn't taunt or tease you, so that you strike out physically and are the one to get into trouble. A True Friend is a person who brings out the good qualities in you and in the process makes you smile.

 

A True Friend gets overly excited with the smallest of your accomplishments.

 

Timmy is Alli's True Friend!

 

Here are a couple of pictures of Alli helping to give Timmy his medication and his snack.

 

How adorable!

 

 

Nate's Chicago Trip

Nate and Dad's trip to Chicago in May, 2012 for uncle Earl's wedding.

Miracles

While I was pregnant with Timmy I heard terms like Holoprosencephaly, Down Syndrome, Bilateral Anopthalmia etc. The meaning and complexity of these terms were so overwhelming. I delved into research to help me to better understand my son's condition and so I would be able to educate family and friends of my son's complex medical condition. It was apparent that my family or any of our friends understood the situation we were preparing to face.

While pregnant and soon after my son's birth I was introduced to terms like Special Needs, Disabled, Mentally Challenged, Retarded. Before my pregnancy with Timmy the meaning of these words and the affect these words had on others when used never crossed my mind.

Upon hearing of my son's medical condition and hearing these words being used by medical professionals, friends and family, the meaning of these words struck a raw nerve in my heart and head.

Over the past 8  years I have spent many hours analysing these words. For some reason the meaning of these words, in my opinion, just don't fit anyone who has a medical condition of any severity.

Special Needs - Everyone in humanity, young and old and creatures of Nature are "special" in their own way. And we all have "Needs." So why should this term be used for only a select group of people?

Disabled - When this word is used by persons in society it means; The inability to preform a given task. Well, this isn't true. If a person with a medical condition of any severity, is given the opportunity to "try" and if the given task is or can be adapted the person has the ability to carry through with what is asked. Parents or other caregivers of those with medical conditions have to be creative, inovative, and demand things which will help their loved ones to be "abled" in society.

Mentally Challenged - EVERYONE in society is lacking cognitively or behaviorally in some area. No one person is "perfect" in all areas. Some may be perficient in the areas of spelling, reading, math etc. but have psychological problems. While those who do not have psychological problems may have trouble with spelling, reading, math etc. So this term doesn't apply to a select group of people.

Retarded - It is my opinion, those who use this word are the ones who are "Retarded." People who do not take the time to ask questions, to try to educate themselves about others in society and to get to know those with medical conditions as a "whole" person are simply the ones who are lacking.

I chose to use the term "Uniquely Gifted" or "Unique Needs" to describe my son's medical condition.

The meaning of the word "unique" is; One of a kind.

The meaning of the word "gifted" is; Having a special talent.

Well these two words used together describe my son and others who are different for what ever reason.

The above video shows just how having HoPE, patience, being strong, the will to help and determination can bring about MIRACLES!

With HoPE,  Love, Caring, Patience, Strength, and Determination MIRACLES can come to be for everyone who is UNIQUELY GIFTED!

Sunday - May 2012 School Podcast

New Hanover Spring Concert

Timmy's brother Zachary has the last solo in this song.

Spring Smiles

Katie - Until We Meet Again

Fun Day 2012

 

Sunday - April 2012 School Podcast

Special Olympics

Azalea Festival 2012

A popcorn Easter

A popcorn addiction.

Sunday - March School Podcast

Mrs. Simpson Says ....Smile!

 Mrs. Simpson, one of the Special Education Teachers at Timmy's school, has a passion for photography. She took pictures of Timmy and some of his friends and made this video.

Mrs. Simpson says....Smile!                   
                                        

A Tribute To My Mother

          FLY HIGH...  FLY FREE...
You May Be Gone, But Will Never Be Forgotten.... Your Love will Always Embrace Me, Even from Up Above....
          (August 9, 1939 - February 22, 2012)




          *** She is Gone ***

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

By: David Harkins

I LOVE YOU MaMa !!!

Brotherly Love To The Max

When I found out that I was pregnant with Nate I worried about the 6 years age difference, how Nate would accept Timmy with his disabilities and how well the two of them would interact, being that in a short period of time Nate would surpass Timmy's developmental abilities cognitively and physically.

Those worries were quickly pushed aside. At only a couple of months old Nate has delighted and insisted on spending time with Timmy each morning while Timmy is getting ready to face the day. If for some reason, like Timmy has a Doctor appointment out of town, and Nate is unable to see or spend time with Timmy in the morning it's like Nate's world has come crashing down onto him. And his day has been totally turned upside down until Timmy graces Nate with his presence.

I believe that Nate has early on realized Timmy's limitations and Nate has adapted his interests and interactions with Timmy to Timmy's level. Nate really enjoys just sitting with Timmy and listening to music or having books read. One of Timmy's current interest has to do anything related to Pirates. So Nate has also taken up this same interest and enjoys pretend play of Pirates with Timmy.

There has also been times when Nate has taken the role of Brotherly Love to the Max. One evening after Timmy's Home Nurse had finished brushing Timmy's teeth, with Nate's supervision, she left the room to go clean Timmy's toothbrush. Upon her returning to the room she found Nate had crawled onto Timmy's lap and was licking the excess toothpaste from Timmy's teeth.

It warms my heart to know that Timmy's siblings have shown a great deal of interest in Timmy's day to day care. And Nate is no exception. At an early age we have taken the time to show and allow the siblings to help with Timmy's daily care where approperate. One thing that we allow the siblings to start helping with is supplimental G-tube feedings. We even explain that the G-tube needs to sometime be cleaned.

Well, on our most recent train trip to Chicago for Christmas Nate took this daily task to an extreme. I was gathering up the kids things for their nightly bath when I heard Nate sucking on something. My first thought was Oh Boy what have you picked up off of the floor and put in your mouth now? When I looked up what did I see? Nate was "cleaning" Timmy's G-tube! Yeah you got it. Nate had pulled out Timmy's G-tube and was fiercely sucking on the balloon! Just the sight was gross, funny and shocking all at the same time that I didn't know which reaction to display first. Of course I quickly regained myself and took the G-tube from Nate, cleaned it and replaced it. Being thankful that the force of Nate removing the G-tube with the balloon still inflated that their was no damage done.

I can only imagine what the future holds with the funny and not so funny antics that Nate has in store for us......

Christmas Trip To Chicago Videos And Pictures

Sunday's School Podcast - December 2011

Yeah I realize that this video is being posted early. Being that tomorrow is New Years Day and later this afternoon we will be departing Grandma's and heading home, I wanted to get the video posted before the New Year begins.

I hope that everyone has a Fun and Safe New Years Eve celebration......

Enjoy viewing all of the happenings in Timmy's class for the month of December.....

Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas!

This year we are celebrating our Christmas with Grandma in Chicago! We arrived in Chicago on December 21st. via Amtrek. We spent 4 wonderfully exciting days visiting some of the museums, going to Winter Wonderland sponsored by Bank of America and window shopping.

I'll post more pictures and our Christmas video from home later.

Have a Happy Holiday Everyone and stay safe!