Our News

 

Here is a little look into our new home... When you walk in our front door you now are welcomed by our refrigerator.  When you look into our living room you see our floor and celling are gone and you can look directly into our garage.  And you can kinda tell that there is a lot of plastic taped to the walls to block us from this area. Yes we still live here. What is going on you may ask.... My parents decided to give up some of our new garage space to build me a main floor bedroom/therapy room and an accessible bathroom.  While they are at it they are taking down a wall and making our kitchen accessible as well.  And because the room was so gosh darn long, they couldn't find a support beam long enough to open up the room, instead they decided to vault the ceiling.  Things are looking a little crazy right now (as you can see) but it is sure going to be nice when it is done.  And the best part is, I will be able to get ready for the bus inside as my wheelchair won't have to be in the garage, it will be inside our house!  I will have a ramp that they can push me right into the house with.  We are all excited and anxious to get it done.  The people working on it said it should be done by Thanksgiving, but we are hoping for Christmas.  Now, if only my mom could convince our insurance to help cover some of these "adaptive" costs - they told her because I am so young that they won't help with the modifications.  Whatever!  At least that is what I hear my mom say when she is on the phone with people.  And because I don't want to bore you with only pictures of your renovation mess, I am adding some new pics of me and Maggie too.  Enjoy!

Where does she find these??? She always ends up with one in her mouth but yet we never give them to her???  My mom thinks she stashes them somewhere

Havin a Good Time!

Covering our WI sports - badger sweater, brewer t-shirt, packer bow - that should do it!

Things are moving fast around here

 

I have already made it through my first month of school and then some.  We had picture day, we have done art projects, we had book orders, and we have had a lot of fun in the process.  I am enjoying my long bus ride to school and I am really liking my teacher and my helpers.  And speaking of my teacher, she posts pictures of all the fun we have in class and I decided to share a couple with you.

On top of all the excitement with school, me and Maggie went to our first wedding.  My mom's cousin Ryan got married - it was pretty cool!  I think we all had a pretty good time.  I got a little bothered by the guy that started talking on the microphone and all the noise at the receptions, so me and dad went back to our room.  I was tired and wanted to sleep.  But Maggie just wanted to dance.  She stayed up and partied longer than I did.  It was good practice for next month, we have another wedding and I got asked to be the ring bear ;)  My parents have been playing really loud music around the house and randomly clapping and yelling to help get me ready.  It is pretty funny.  We'll see if it works.  Anywho, here are some shots from Ryan and Kristen's big day.

Stay tuned for more news and pics...

Artist

Well, my second week of school went really well.  I am starting to get used to the bus and I decided to share a few more smiles in the classroom.  I like to play with the switch toys - and my classmates like it too, they always come over and join me.  I also ran into my cousins Bell and Carter at school.  They are older than me, but we are all in the same building.  I even surprised my mom with some artwork.  She was so impressed she decided to have me share it with all of you.  And just in case you were wondering, Maggie is doing really well in daycare too!

1 week down, 20 years to go

We all survived the first week.
   -The first week I started school (my teacher Kristi is very fun).
   -The first week I used my wheelchair.
   -The first week Maggie decided to poop in the bathtub (I am sure she is happy I shared that)
   -The first week I rode the bus (and decided to throw up on the bus just to keep people on their toes).
   -The first week Maggie went to daycare.
   -And the first week I got to be one-on-one with my new helper/PCA, Erin (who is way super cool).

in my classroom

getting off the bus - do I look a little uneasy?

Let's just say, I think we are all ready for a day at home. It is going to take some time for us all to get used to this new schedule.  My mom came with the whole first day, so she could help everyone get to know me a little.  Each day I decided to cry/fuss a little less.  Yesterday I even decided to start showing them my killer smile.  Maggie decided to go the other route - at least that is what I heard mom tellin dad.  I guess the first day of daycare she didn't make a peep and went right to play with the other kids, the second day she fussed a little and didn't want to let go of my mom's leg, yesterday she screamed bloody murder as my mom rushed out the door.  After the initial tears though, she had a great time, and was always smiling at the end of the day.  All in all I think this new routine will be good for us all.  Anywho, I will be going to school 4 days a week for about 3.5 hours, if you count in bus time.  And my new after school helper is pretty neat, she makes me work hard - but we have a lot of fun together, she is really nice.

happy to be home



hangin out in the am - before daycare

happy to have a day home together - love Fridays!

1st Day ✔

Today was my first day at school and Maggie's first day at daycare...... and we all survived - even my mom.  Stay tuned for more details on how both went.  For now, enjoy the 1st Day pic!

 

 

Cruzin' In Style!

Today I got my new wheelchair.... it is pretty SWEEEET!  Although, my mom is kinda boring and got me an all black one instead of the crazy colors she could have chosen.  Oh well, I like it anyways.  Maggie is already jealous.  I give her less than 2 days before she starts to try and get into it herself.  Anywho, my new wheels come with a new back pack - yes I AM ready for school to start now.  My chair can tilt in space, so if I need to lean back I can.  It has a tray with a cup holder and a pretty neat iPad (or book) holder.  I have a clip on the handle so my mom can put stuff like the diaper bag on it.  It can fold up and fit into the back of our SUV..... but my mom thinks they are lying about the weight of it.  They say it only weighs 27 pounds, but she said it was very heavy to lift in.  Guess we have to start thinking about a ramp into the car and the house??? 





















Other than the new ride - I wanted to share some pics from the weekend.  We had a family reunion with my Grandma's side of the family - the Sherpe Family.  We all got these awesome shirts that say "Be Good To People".  If anyone wants to know about this just check out my cousin's.... well maybe she is my second cousin, I'm not sure.... facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/begoodtopeople  it's a simple message and something we all should do more of.

 

I AM THE CHILD

I AM THE CHILD

I am the child who cannot talk.
You often pity me, I see it in your eyes.
You wonder how much I am aware of — I see that as well.
... I am aware of much, whether you are happy or sad or fearful,
patient or impatient, full of love and desire,
or if you are just doing your duty by me.
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater,
... for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.

You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.
I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions,
responses over my well-being, sharing my needs,
or comments about the world about me.

I do not give you rewards as defined by the world’s standards — great strides in
development that you can credit yourself;
I do not give you understanding as you know it.
What I give you is so much more valuable — I give you instead opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine;
the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.
I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder,
seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.
I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk.
The world seems to pass me by.
You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children.
There is much you take for granted.
I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I’ve dropped my fork again.
I am dependent on you in these ways.
My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,
your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.
Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.
I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,
to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.
I give you awareness.
I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I don’t learn easily, if you judge me by the world’s measuring stick,
what I do know is infinite joy in simple things.
I am not burdened as you are with the strife’s and conflicts of a more complicated life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,
to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love.
I give you the gift of simplicity.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child.
I am your teacher. If you allow me,
I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you.
I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted.
I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.
Most of all I teach you hope and faith.
I was the disabled child.........
 I was the disabled child who could not see,I was the disabled child who could not talk, I was the disabled child that could not walk.....

                                            -Author: Garth-

 

My mom read this poem on facebook, it was shared by one of her friends.  She got a lil teary reading it so I thought I would share it with everyone.... plus I had this great pic of me and my ol' man that I wanted to get out there.