Play Ball

Truman and his classmates are enjoying a beautiful afternoon of Challenger Baseball.  A local baseball league designed for children and adults with special needs.  He loves it this year.  He would still rather play with his hat and eat his mitt, but loves the socialization and applause he gets from the people in the stands.  KTVB did a story on the league last Sunday (May 6th).  Check it out here.

What's New with Tru

Truman has some exciting things coming up. 

• School is almost over, although I'm not sure how excited he will be because he LOVES school. He loves his teachers and friends.
• We are registered fort he Capitol Classic  (sponsored by St. Alphonsus)
• He starts Summer School!

Stay tuned for pictures and updates of these fantastic events.

Aquatics Therapy

Truman is doing swimming therapy.  He loves the water and we believe he loves it so much because he can relax and let the water take awya some of the pressure.  He will be doing another session this summer and he is so excited. 

Ugggghhhh

I have been sick for a week. I have an infection in my G-tube. The antibiotics suck! I can't wait until I feel better. Thanks to my fam for being so patient and loving.

Camel's Back

Truman hiked to the top of Camel's Back today!!!! Well...okay so Tom pushed him up but at least we got to the top. He was so excited to see the city from a different view. We take for granted the little things in life and forget that some people are thrilled when they are able to see those little things as GIANT milestones.

Assistive Technology and our World

So we are going on 3 years now trying to find a communication system for Truman. We have tried the Dynavox, the Tobii, and various amounts of switches. Truman loves his switch toys and communicates very well with large button switches. We are still a very long way away from finding a system that he can use with ease and function. His muscular control is still limiting which reduces his accuracy and success.
Truman also does very well when he is motivated by his therapy dogs Ovelle and Prairie at school.

I am constantly amazed at how much information is out there and how expensive it is. We do not have any switch buttons or recordable switches at home but we are making due. We have figured out how to communicate the best we can and give Truman what he needs.

Hopefully within the near future we will be able to make more progress and obtain some of the basic switches.

I am the Child

I love this story. It does not define us but it certainly puts in words the way we feel sometimes. Thank you to who ever wrote this.

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 many questions with no answers. I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk. The worlds 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 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 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 strifes and conflicts of a more complicates 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 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 uncondontional 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 am the disabled child.

-Author Unknow-